MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. — The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which debuted sunrise trips to the top of Pikes Peak earlier this summer, has scheduled two more this season, the Denver Post reports. The first is set for Sept. 11 and will honor first responders, with a portion of proceeds going to the […]
NEWARK, N.J. — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is conducting a strike authorization vote for 500 locomotive engineers employed by NJ Transit, the union announced on Monday. Balloting will be conducted through noon on Aug. 31. The union said in a press release that its contract dispute with NJ Transit dates to 2019 […]
The Fairbanks-Morse Train Master is one of the most popular locomotives of all time in toy traindom. This hulking engine, introduced to the model world in 1954 by Lionel, is right up there with the F3 and GP7/9 as one of the best-loved and most-produced diesels in the hobby. Multiple companies make or have made […]
WASHINGTON — A survey commissioned by Amtrak has found strong support for spending on passenger rail service and infrastructure, with most of those responding calling for more passenger spending in their own states. The poll conducted by the Mellman Group surveyed 1,000 registered voters. Among its results: 92% support investment in passenger rail safety and […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa has resumed some service on its light rail Confederation Line as of this morning (Tuesday, Aug. 8) and continues to plan for a full resumption of service on Monday, Aug. 14. Service resumed with five single-car trains between the Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa stations, a seven-station segment on the west end […]
Freight locomotives on passenger trains can happen for a variety of reasons and make for memorable images. Early in Amtrak’s history, locomotives painted in the colors of freight-hauling railroads were common. In Amtrak’s “rainbow era” days, 50 years ago, the then-new National Railroad Passenger Corporation operated with leased or hand-me-down equipment, inherited from — and […]
NEW YORK — A union representing Metro-North Railroad employees has handed out flyers to commuters and placed ads in local newspapers warning of a potential strike as soon as September, the newspaper The Hour reports. Members of two locals of Transportation Workers Union, which represents approximately 600 inspectors, mechanics, and coach cleaners, voted last month […]
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Thanks to an all-day work window on Aug. 6, 2023, the final track segments have been put into place to complete BNSF Railway’s 2-mile double-tracking project at the east end of its busy “Funnel” between Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint. Completion of the new 4,873-foot bridge across Lake Pend Oreille in November 2022 […]
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. — Tracks have been cleared and rail service can resume through the site of a CSX Transportation derailment that occurred west of Schenectady, N.Y., on Friday morning, a railroad representative told the Daily Gazette newspaper this afternoon (Monday, Aug. 7). Thirteen cars of a 157-car CSX train en route from Selkirk, N.Y. to […]
ORLANDO — Brightline is no longer selling tickets for Sept. 1-14 trips between West Palm Beach and Orlando, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the first day of revenue service will be Sept. 15. Responding to a Trains News Wire inquiry, Brightline issued the following statement late today (Monday, Aug. 7): “We’re working through the final […]
CHICAGO — Access to Chicago Union Station will change beginning this evening (Monday, Aug. 7) as the Chicago Department of Transportation begins an 18-month process to rehabilitate four viaducts on Canal Street between Taylor and Madison streets. As a result, no vehicle access to Union Station between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard, and […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak is considering the use of semi-permanent coupling in its next generation of long-distance trainsets, and as a result will seek regulatory approval to address accessibility requirements through accommodations throughout those trainsets, rather than in individual cars. That proposal is included in a website the passenger operator has launched as it seeks public […]
