MBTA will not extend Keolis operating contract beyond 2022 NEWSWIRE

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BOSTON — MBTA announced Thursday that it would not extend its contract with commuter rail operator Keolis beyond 2022. The announcement comes after months of complaints lodged at the operator for poor performances, particularly during winter, and losing millions of dollars. Keolis was first awarded the eight-year, $2.7 billion to operate MBTA’s commuter rail operations […]

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ABC Chicago: Metra crews keep rails from freezing NEWSWIRE

CHICAGO — If you have yet to see this video posted to Facebook from Chicago’s ABC affiliate, please don’t throw a shoe at your screen. Someone with ABC posted a video recording of Metra crews standing near a diamond with one rail lit on fire. ABC’s original caption was: “WINTER IN CHICAGO! Setting the tracks […]

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Donner Pass snows clog highways but delay trains little NEWSWIRE

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Norden, Calif. Google Maps ROSEVILLE, Calif. — While snow and zero visibility shut down numerous highways, Union Pacific and Amtrak soldiered on over California’s Donner Pass this week. But now flooding is the threat as the forecast calls for heavy rain, some of it on several feet of snow. “In preparation of the coming weather […]

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Menards Red Owl grocery store

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O GAUGE RED OWL GROCERY STORE FROM MENARDS Price: $99.99 (no. 279-3472) Features: Wood, cardstock, and plastic construction. Illumination for sides, interior, signage, and security lamps. This jumbo O gauge structure from Menards will probably be a hit with those who live, or lived, in the Upper Midwest: A Red Owl grocery store. Red Owl […]

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O gauge CB&Q USRA 4-6-2 Pacific from MTH Electric Trains

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O gauge CB&Q USRA 4-6-2 Pacific from MTH Electric Trains Price: $449.95 (no. 30-1681-1) Min Curve: O-31 Cmd Low: 3.4 smph Cnv Low: 5.2 smph High: 61.4 smph Drawbar pull: 1 lb., 2 oz. Features: Can-style motor, ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system, smoke, coil couplers Current production road names: Alaska RR, Burlington Route, Great […]

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Snows only slow Amtrak’s ‘Empire Builder’ NEWSWIRE

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An on-time eastbound Empire Builder pauses at Minot, N.D., for servicing on Aug. 20, 2014. Bob Johnston RUGBY, N.D. — Snow and ice are burying much of North Dakota this week, but Amtrak’s Empire Builder soldiers on. While national TV news and published reports recounted how thousands of flights were cancelled, trucks jackknifed all over […]

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Accucraft live-steam Heisler

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Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, live-steam Heisler Accucraft 33268 Central Avenue Union City CA 94587 Price: $3,150 Website: http://accucraft.com All metal live-steam model of West Side Lumber Co. Heisler Nº 3; manual control; two double-acting D-valve cylinders; working cylinder drain cocks; reversing from cab via working Stephenson’s valve gear; hinged roof; pressure gauge; water […]

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Bachmann 2-6-0 (second version)

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Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, steam-outline 2-6-0 Bachmann Industries 1400 E. Erie Ave Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $1,250 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com Plastic and die-cast metal, steam outline, 1870s-era Baldwin 8-18 D class Mogul; all-metal gears; “plug-and-play” socket in tender for the addition of R/C or DCC control; authentic paint scheme. Dimensions: length, 26 1/2″; width, 4 1/2″; […]

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