Columbia Rail to take over operations at Richland, Wash., port

Logo of shortline operator Columbia Rail

RICHLAND, Wash. — The Port of Benton has hired Washington short line operator Columbia Rail to operate the 16-mile railroad at the industrial facilities on land that once hosted the Manhattan Project nuclear weapon program. The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business reports that the port commission has approved a 24-month agreement under which Columbia Rail […]

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Five Burlington Northern kitbashes

Color photo of caboose painted light gray with small windows and rooftop air conditioners.

Kitbashing is a facet of the hobby many model railroaders enjoy. Full-size railroads modify equipment, too. As I was combing through my photo collection and images in our David P. Morgan Memorial Library, I found five Burlington Northern kitbashes. Hopefully one or more of these cars will inspire your next modeling project. Want more Burlington […]

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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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Alaska Railroad reopens line after avalanche-caused derailment

Train stopped in snow from avalanche in night photo

GIRDWOOD, Alaska — A section of the Alaska Railroad along Turnagain Arm reopened Friday, Jan. 20, after being closed Tuesday by a derailment caused by an avalanche, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The line reopened about 4:30 p.m. following the completion of repairs near milepost 71.5. Three locomotives derailed after hitting avalanche debris in the […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 6 | Mechanical turnout control

With underside wiring in place, David returns front and center at the side of his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. That’s where he temporarily placed the fascia, and prepared to into install hand-operated, mechanical Blue Point turnout controls. Follow along to learn the process and techniques pros like David use! And be sure to explore […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 6 | Mechanical turnout control

With underside wiring in place, David returns front and center at the side of his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. That’s where he temporarily placed the fascia, and prepared to into install hand-operated, mechanical Blue Point turnout controls. Follow along to learn the process and techniques pros like David use! And be sure to explore […]

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Alaska Railroad train derailed by avalanche

Train stopped in snow from avalanche in night photo

GIRDWOOD, Alaska — Two crew members escaped without injury when an Alaska Railroad train derailed after hitting avalanche debris early Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The freight train from Whitter to Anchorage struck debris covering the tracks at Mile 71.5 of the Seward Highway at about 2 a.m., derailing the train’s […]

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The Milwaukee Road Hiawatha passenger trains

Color three-quarter-angle photo of streamlined steam locomotive with passenger train

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha passenger trains are the long-lasting legacy of a Midwestern railroad plagued with underperformance and mismanagement — right up until its merger with the much smaller Soo Line in 1986. Rather than recount the bad times, join us for a look back at the Hiawatha trains over the years. Only from Trains.com. Twin […]

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White Pass & Yukon to resume service into Canada in 2023

WhitePass_Diesels_Johnston

SKAGWAY, Alaska — The White Pass & Yukon Railway will resume trips into Canada this summer, the first such operations since before the COVID-19 pandemic, KHNS Radio reports. One-way passenger service to Fraser, British Columbia, will run daily from early May to early October, with return or continuing service by bus. Service to Carcross and […]

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