Audit finds safety issues with DC Metrorail maintenance procedures

WMATA logo

WASHINGTON — An audit of the DC Metrorail system’s maintenance practices has found those who perform railcar repairs and inspections do not keep organized records or follow safety procedures, according to the independent agency charged with monitoring DC Metro safety. The Washington Post reports the 44-page document from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission identified 12 […]

Read More…

‘Erie Limited’

Steam locomotive with passenger train on hillside above river valley

‘Erie Limited’ The Erie Limited’s route takes it through some of the best scenery in the East. Far above he Susquehanna River and the Delaware & Hudson main line, westbound train No. 1 approaches famed Starrucca Viaduct. Erie Railroad photo […]

Read More…

SEPTA plans rebranding, new labeling for urban rail lines

SEPTA Metro logo

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is proposing using a series of letters and colors to rename its urban rail system, to make it easier to use and emphasize the entire rail network rather than its individual elements. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the proposal would rebrand the network of rapid transit and trolley lines […]

Read More…

Jury rules for CSX in suit by pedestrian hit by train

CSX logo

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A jury has found the crew of a CSX Transportation freight train was not negligent in its operations when the train struck and seriously injured a pedestrian in a 2013 accident. The Altoona Mirror reports that the jury in the federal civil case, contested in U.S. District Court in Johnston, found the […]

Read More…

Northeast transit systems recovering from Ida flooding

Railroad track hanging over washed-out underbed

NEW YORK — Transit agencies gradually restored service Thursday and today after heavy rains and flooding disrupted operations from Philadelphia to Boston. In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New York City Transit subway service made major restoration gains overnight. As of  Thursday night’s rush hour,  just one line reported no  issues while two remained […]

Read More…

Amtrak’s New York tunnels withstand Ida’s deluge

Train in rain

NEW YORK — Despite more than 7 inches of rain that shut down New York’s subway system late Wednesday, the Amtrak tunnels connecting the Northeast Corridor to Manhattan survived tropical storm Ida without the debilitating damage that occurred as a result of 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. But other damage and power outages caused cancellation of all […]

Read More…

Lionel’s No. 6417 porthole caboose

Roger Carp with two variations of a Lionel N5c caboose.

Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]

Read More…

Lionel’s no. 6417 porthole caboose

Roger Carp with two variations of a Lionel N5c caboose.

Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]

Read More…