European passenger trains can dazzle or disappoint: Analysis

Every time an acquaintance or travel writer returns from Europe and sets foot on American soil, you’ll hear the same refrain: “Oh, if only we had passenger trains like that.” What they mean, of course, is that Amtrak cannot possibly compare. Not on frequency, not on speed, not on equipment, not on stations, not on […]

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BLET ratifies new contract with Mobile, Ala., port railroad

Two green end-cab locomotives

MOBILE, Ala. — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new contract with Terminal Railway-Alabama State Docks, the short line connecting the Port of Mobile to five Class I railroads. The BLET announced Sunday (July 6) that the five-year agreement was ratified on June 26. It runs through 2027 and […]

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Walthers HO Gunderson 50-foot boxcar

Color photo HO scale boxcar painted dark blue with silver roof and yellow graphics.

Walthers HO Gunderson 50-foot boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO Gunderson 50-foot boxcar features: 36” metal wheelsets Based on full-size cars that handle paper rolls 10 feet or more in diameter for magazine and newspaper production Body-mounted Proto-Max metal […]

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Mid-Continent announces details on July 12 return of No. 1385

Steam Chicago & North Western locomotives approaching brick station

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s rescheduled “homecoming” ceremony for its Chicago & North Western Ten-Wheeler, No. 1385, will be held Saturday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m. at the museum in North Freedom. The starting time for the public event has been moved forward from what had previously been reported [see “C&NW No. […]

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CN derailment in Mississippi leads to fire, evacuations

Canadian National logo

GLENDORA, Miss. — A derailment and fire involving a Canadian National Railway train occurred today (July 5, 2025) in the town of Glendora, with the hazardous materials involved leading to the evacuation of about 200 residents. The Clarksdale Press Register reports Tallahatchie County Emergency Management Agency Director said 13 cars had derailed, with a tank […]

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CSX derailment closes streets in downtown Louisville

Aerial view of derailed railcars

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ten cars of a CSX train derailed today (Saturday, July 5, 2025) in west Louisville, WDRB-TV reports. No injuries were reported. While a earlier report from WAVE-TV quoted Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neail as saying some of the tank cars involved were carrying some material, although no leaks occurred, a CSX representative […]

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Montreal light rail begins six-week shutdown

Light rail train crossing bridge at sunset

MONTREAL — The Réseau express métropolitain light rail line between downtown Montreal and the North Shore community of Brossard, Que., has begun a six-week shutdown today (Saturday, July 5) for testing in preparation of opening of most of the rest of the system later this year. Service on the 10.3-mile first phase between Central Station […]

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