New Haven “Jet”

20160601

New Haven 376, one of 10 EP-5 electrics nicknamed “Jets” for their howling blower motors, cruises down the road’s four-track main line at Noroton Heights, Conn., in 1956, the year after it was built. Thomas J. McNamara photo […]

Read More…

GG1 on the B&O

20160609

On May 28, 1964, at Alexandria Junction, Md., Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric 4906 brings up the rear of Washington–New York train 126, which diesels are towing backward over the Baltimore & Ohio owing to a derailment on the PRR at Lanham, Md. Ara Mesrobian photo […]

Read More…

Caltrain electric equipment makes first run under catenary (with video)

Red and white electric multiple-unit trainset under dramatic sunset

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Caltrain has reached a major milestone in the electrification of its San Francisco-San Jose main line, with the commuter rail operator announcing Tuesday that electrified trains have begun operating under power from the overhead contact system. The agency posted video Tuesday of trains making low-speed initial tests. These initial runs will […]

Read More…

Amtrak E44 electric locomotives

Silver-and-black Amtrak E44 electric locomotives stored in a line

Amtrak E44 electric locomotives are eight roster oddities that likely never turned a wheel in revenue service for the passenger carrier.     The Pennsylvania Railroad acquired 66 of the 5,000-hp, six-axle E44 electric locomotives from General Electric, Nos. 4400-4465. Built at Erie, Pa., between 1960 and 1963 the motors were 69-feet, 6-inches long and […]

Read More…

Progress Rail to convert locomotive to battery power for Australia’s Aurizon

Four men standing on walkway of locomotive

REDBANK, Queensland — Australia’s largest freight rail company, Aurizon, has contracted with Progress Rail to build what the companies are calling the first zero-emission-capable freight locomotive to be constructed in Australia, a battery-electric unit. Progress Rail will retrofit one of Aurizon’s existing 4000-class diesel locomotives, Clyde Engineering units built by Walkers, at the Progress Rail […]

Read More…

Locomotives are the power of railroading

An image of the broadside of a black-painted steam locomotive trailing smoke and steam

Locomotives are the power of railroading and the industries’ most potent and popular symbols. The major types that have been used in North America are steam (now confined to museums, tourist lines, and the occasional excursion), diesel-electric (the standard of the industry), and straight electric (always a tiny minority). Steam locomotives burn coal, oil, or […]

Read More…

A Lionel GE locomotive history

Lionel New Haven EP-5 2350

The Lionel-GE locomotive history arguably goes back more than a century. The first General Electric models made by the toy train manufacturer in electric and diesel profiles were separated by about 60 years. The internal-combustion model came almost a decade-and-a-half after GE started making that type of engine. Lionel GE locomotive history General Electric entered […]

Read More…

Penn Central locomotives remembered

Streamlined diesel Penn Central locomotives under building

Penn Central locomotives were varied from Alco and Baldwin to EMD and General Electric. There were electrics, too, on the Northeast Corridor and branches between New Haven, Conn., and Alexandria, Va.     PC inherited its diesel and electric locomotives from components New York Central; and New York, New Haven & Hartford; and Pennsylvania Railroad. […]

Read More…