Amtrak suffers more long-distance cancellations, delays: Analysis

Train rounds curve in suburban area

CHICAGO — None of the individual delays that befell numerous cross-country Amtrak trains during the last week were as lengthy or dramatic as the 37-hour ordeal experienced by more than 500 Auto Train passengers on Jan. 12. But recurring tardiness on several routes, coupled with reduced equipment availability triggering sellouts and high fares, has posed […]

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Dirt, famed Nevada Northern shop cat, dies at 15

Soot and dirt cover a tan-and-white cat with think fur.

Dirt the Cat ELY, Nevada — Dirt, who became a celebrity in 15 years as the shop cat at the Nevada Northern Railway, has died, the railroad has announced on its Facebook page. The orange and white male cat was adopted as a stray kitten by shop crews in 2008 and became famous for his […]

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Grand Canyon Railway sets 2023 steam dates

Black steam locomotive pulling passenger train around curve

  WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon Railway has announced dates it will operate 2-8-2 No. 4960 in 2023. The railroad typically uses the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive to pull trains between Williams and Grand Canyon one Saturday a month, plus some additional dates. The 2023 steam dates are: February 18 for […]

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Circumnavigating the metroplex

Light-rail train at underground station

Traveling Dallas-Fort Worth by rail During my recent trip to Fort Worth for the Railway Supply Institute conference, my brother, a Fort Worth resident, suggested taking part of a day to make a loop by rail around the Dallas-Fort Worth area by rail transit. Come along as we’re traveling Dallas-Fort Worth by rail. Such a […]

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Brightline to resume 110-mph testing in two Florida counties

Brightline_Delray_Lassen

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline will resume 110-mph testing on the coastal portion of its extension to Orlando this Friday, Jan. 6, a process scheduled to continue in Martin and St. Lucie counties through Monday, Jan. 23. Testing on the 11-mile stretch of track will occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Flaggers and law enforcement […]

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Rotary snowplow clears Cumbres Pass

Of all the forces that can bring trains to a halt, snow has to be one of the fiercest elements that Mother Nature can throw at a railroad. Keeping the tracks clear is a never-ending battle in the winter months. Depending on the severity, plows and flangers can do a good job winning the battle. […]

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Year in review: Preservation stories from coast to coast

Three-stall roundhouse building under construction

Trains News Wire continues our review of the top stories of 2022. We’ll count down the Top 10 stories of the year, as voted on by Trains editors, columnists, and correspondents, beginning Dec. 26. As a prelude, we’ll be looking at major stories that didn’t make that list. Today: Preservation. While some preservation stories did […]

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Amtrak cancels more trains as winter storm advances

Passenger train with BNSF locomotive leading four other diesels under signal bridge

CHICAGO — As predictions of high winds and subzero temperatures move east, Amtrak has cancelled all service on some regional and long-distance routes while maintaining reduced service on others. Amtrak had originally planned to maintain full service on Friday, Dec. 23, after projecting cancellations for Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday [see “Amtrak cancels Empire Builder, thins […]

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Phoenix airport set to open extension to Sky Train

People mover on bridge over roadway

PHOENIX — Sky Harbor Airport is set to open a 2.5-mile extension to its Sky Train people mover on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the first addition to the route since 2014. The Arizona Republic reports the $745 million addition will connect the Sky Train to the airport’s off-site rental car center in 6 to 8 minutes, […]

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The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives

Menards A-A Beta 4.0 Santa Fe locomotives

The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives are the latest version of the company’s foray into motive power. A year or so ago Menards tested the waters with a diesel locomotive in Santa Fe paint. Let’s take a look at this set and see what’s changed with this latest release. In this Beta 4 version, […]

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The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives

Menards A-A Beta 4.0 Santa Fe locomotives

The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives are the latest version of the company’s foray into motive power. A year or so ago Menards tested the waters with a diesel locomotive in Santa Fe paint. Let’s take a look at this set and see what’s changed with this latest release. In this Beta 4 version, […]

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