TRAINS: Steve Sweeney/ Source: Amtrak BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Amtrak on Wednesday announced that it is soliciting bids for 48 pieces of equipment located at its Beech Grove, Ind., and Bear and Wilmington, Del., shops that it now considers surplus. The lot made up mostly of diesel locomotives and baggage cars, as well as all […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The way CSX Transportation is handling more tonnage with fewer locomotives, freight cars, and people is a textbook example of Precision Scheduled Railroading at work. For the third quarter, CSX’s revenue ton-miles were up 7 percent and overall volume grew 4 percent compared to the same period last year. Yet CSX was […]
Canadian Pacific AC44CWM No. 8200 begins testing at the GE Transportation test track near Erie, Pa. Stephan M. Koenig LAWRENCE PARK, Pa. — Canadian Pacific AC4400CW No. 8200 is the first of the latest group of 30 AC4400CWs to enter testing after being rebuilt at GE Transportation’s shops near Erie, Pa. The locomotive began evaluation on […]
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Two weeks ahead of schedule, Schenectady’s new Amtrak station has opened. The $23 million facility opened Wednesday, with Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and saying, “This telegraphs to the world that we’re prepared for the future,” according to the Albany Times-Union. It is the third new station on […]
The Alaska Railroad’s winter schedule includes expanded operation of its Aurora Winter Train. Glenn Aronwits, courtesy Alaska Railroad ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad’s 2018-19 winter schedule includes increased operation of its Aurora Winter Train, as well as new Thanksgiving holiday service and increased operations for spring break travel. The Aurora Winter Train, which began […]
CSX Transportation safety chart CSX Corp. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation is making safety improvement strides. The railroad’s personal injury rate improved for the fifth straight quarter, while the train accident rate declined compared to last year and the second quarter, CSX noted in its third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. “The safety of our employees […]
A Metra Rock Island District train curves from the main line onto the Beverly Branch in August 2018. Metra has released a proposed schedule for the Rock Island District including adjustments for operation with positive train control. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra has unveiled its proposed schedule revision for the Rock Island District, incorporating […]
Setting up the DR5000 is easy but requires a Microsoft Windows PC. Shown here are the adjustable power supply and the DR5000 command station. Laptop not included. The DR5000 works with a variety of wireless and wired throttles that use Loconet and XpressNet interfaces. The device also supports several smartphone apps. One of the challenges […]
Con-Cor HO scale MP54 coach and trailer Con-Cor’s Pennsylvania RR MP54 has a wide-open passenger compartment, facilitated by its ceiling-mounted printed-circuit board and subfloor drivetrain. Here comes the happy couple! Con-Cor has added to its line of Pennsylvania RR MP54 commuter cars with models of the semi-permanently coupled married pairs, or bride-and-grooms. We published tests […]
ScaleTrains.com N scale 5750 carbon black covered hopper Price: $31.99 Manufacturer ScaleTrains.com Inc. 7598 Highway 411 Benton, TN 37307 www.scaletrains.com Era: September 1977 to present Road names: Columbian Chemicals, Cabot, Sid Richardson Carbon Co., and Witco. Four road numbers per scheme. Comments: A Thrall Manufacturing Co. 5,750-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay carbon black covered hopper is now offered […]
An MBTA commuter train crosses one of two drawbridges over the Charles River as it leaves North Station. The commuter agency is beginning the process of replacing the drawbridges, which are a bottleneck for trains entering and leaving the station. Scott A. Hartley BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has begun the process of […]
Kato USA HO scale General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive. Southern Pacific and Union Pacific. Two road numbers each. Late hi-adhesion trucks, deck-mounted ditch lights, and illuminated number boxes. With motor and headlight control only Digital Command Control decoder, $260; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder (special order […]
