Snow shuts down New Orleans transit (updated)

Logo of New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

NEW ORLEANS — Here’s an advisory you don’t see every day: New Orleans has shut down its transit system because of snow. All trolley and bus operations were suspended as of 11 p.m. Monday night, and no services will operate today (Jan. 21), the New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority reports on its website. The suspension […]

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Builder selected for second portion of Potomac Long Bridge project

Rendering of twin two-track railroad bridges and pedestrian bridge

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority on Thursday announced it has selected a construction consortium for the second part of the Long Bridge Project, the new two-track bridge across the Potomac River between Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. Long Bridge Rail Partners — a joint venture of Trumbull Corp., Fay, S&B USA Construction, […]

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Rouzer to head House railroads, pipelines, hazardous materials subcommittee

Head shot of member of congress posing in front of American flag

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) has been named chair of the Subcomittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) announced this week. Rouzer, beginning his sixth term in the House, is one of six chairmen of Transportaiton and Infrasturcture subcommittees chosen this week. “Having served on the […]

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NASG 2025 convention dates set

Classic Toy Trains magazine logo

The National Association of S Gaugers (NASG) announces its 2025 convention, “The Shoreline Special,” August 6-10, 2025 at the Holiday Inn, Norwich, Conn. Registration fee is $75 for members and $90 for non-members (which includes 6-month NASG membership). Activities include an “ice breaker” party on Wednesday evening, a tour of Mystic Seaport and downtown Mystic […]

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Brightline on-board workers vote to join union

people serving food

WASHINGTON — Onboard attendants at Brightline have voted to join the Transport Workers Union, the union announced Tuesday (Jan. 14, 2025). Mail-in voting concluded Tuesday after beginning on Nov. 27, 2024. The approximately 100 workers who sell food and beverages onboard trains and provide other services between Orlando and Miami voted in favor of unionization […]

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Saluda Grade to sell for $31.5 million

Map of rail line in North and South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The organization seeking to buy the Saluda Grade from Norfolk Southern for conversion to a trail will pay $31.5 million — $1 million a mile — for the route between Zirconia, N.C., and Inman, S.C., the Spartanburg Post and Courier reports. The states of North Carolina and South Carolina will each contribute […]

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Brightline to bring back South Florida commuter program

People mill about on platform next to streamlined passenger trains

MIAMI — Brightline will revive the commuter pass program it discontinued last year, thanks to a federal grant it received last week, the company has announced. The company received a $33.8 million Restoration and Enhancement grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, which the federal announcement said would support expanding Brightline train consists from five to […]

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No injuries in Norfolk Southern derailment in Kentucky

overturned railcars in snow

SADIEVILLE, Ky. — Cleanup continues after 12 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday evening north of Lexington, Ky. WKYT-TV reports no injuries were reported. No cargo was spilled and no hazardous materials were involved. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office initially reported that State Route 32 would be closed because of the derailment, but […]

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Six rail routes receive federal grants for service improvements

Passenger train crossing bridge with ocean in background

WASHINGTON — Four state-supported Amtrak routes, Connecticut’s CTRail, and Florida’s Brightline will receive a total of more than $146 million for service improvements from the Federal Railroad Administration, the agency announced today (Friday, Jan. 10). The funding comes from the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program. It was announced at the same time as FRA funding […]

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EnterTRAINment Junction: Remembering a Legendary Layout

Colorful large-scale steam train passes by a depot

Original article published in Garden Railway’s Dec. 2019 issue by Bill Mefford; edited and updated for Trains.com by Lucas Iverson. For many model railroaders and garden railway enthusiasts, a trip to the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area was on the bucket list. That’s because it was the home to EnterTRAINment Junction, which boasted the biggest indoor […]

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