Phoenix gets funding for light rail extension

Purple and silver light rail train rounds 90-degree curve

PHOENIX — Phoenix officials were joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Friday in marking the approval of $158.1 million in federal funding for the latest extension to the area’s light rail system. The Arizona Republic reports the money will fund the $401.3 million, 1.6-mile extension of the northwest portion of the 28-mile Valley […]

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News Photos: Nevada Northern diesel begins journey

Orange locomotive above many-wheeled transport trailer

The return of Kennecott Copper RSD4 No. 201 to its former home at the Nevada Northern Railway has begun. On Nov. 4, the diesel was lifted onto heavy-duty transport equipment to begin the 900-mile, three-week journey from its longtime home at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Wash. The locomotive is scheduled to depart Snoqualmie […]

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Nevada Northern receives $10 million grant to extend route

Steam engine in desert landscape

ELY, Nev.—The Nevada Northern Railway Museum has been awarded a $10 million grant to rebuild 16 miles of railroad from Ely to McGill and install a turntable. The legendary preservation railroad is getting ready to expand train service in a big way. For years, the railroad has been eyeing a section of long-unused track to […]

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Shooter in fatal Sunset Limited incident identified

TUCSON, Ariz. — The shooter in the incident aboard the Sunset Limited that killed a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and injured two other law officers has been identified. The Arizona Republic reports the Pima County Medical Office has identified the man as Darrion Taylor, 26. Taylor, who exchanged gunfire with officers while the train was […]

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Man killed in shooting on Sunset Limited was 16-year DEA agent

Head-and-shoulders photo of man in coat and tie

TUCSON, Ariz. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been identified as the victim in a shooting aboard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited on Monday in Tucson. The Arizona Republic reports that Michael Garbo was killed as agents were detaining 22-year-old Devonte Mathis after finding marijuana and other cannabis products in his backpack, […]

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Shooting on ‘Sunset Limited’ in Arizona

Passenger cars at station with baggage being unloaded onto trailer and passengers walking on platform. Image of the Sunset Limited.

TUCSON, Arizona — Police are investigating the circumstances behind a shooting this morning on board Amtrak’s Sunset Limited. A railroad representative confirms to Trains that the eastbound passenger train, destination New Orleans, arrived in Tucson, at 7:40 a.m. The representative says there was a “shooting incident” on board the train, though it is not clear […]

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Santa Fe 2926: A grade crossing ahead for the big 4-8-4

People admire restored steam locomotive

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The buzz at an open house for Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 wasn’t all about the locomotive last run in 1953 and moved for the first time under its own power on July 25. A grade crossing and a spur track also figured into the conversations. With the restoration of the locomotive […]

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Analysis: BNSF shows how Amtrak and freight can co-exist

The westbound Southwest Chief is 6 minutes late out of Albuquerque, N.M., as you roll toward the junction with BNSF Railway’s Southern Transcon at Dalies. From Roomette 14 you wonder: What will happen to the Chief’s timekeeping when we hit the Gallup Subdivision that carries 80 freights per day? The question is bigger than it […]

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Chasing Big Boy 4014 to Las Vegas

Crowds for Big Boy 4014’s 2019 and 2021 tours have been immense. I haven’t taken part in any concerted effort to chase for these tours, but I got a taste of the madness back in 2014 when Big Boy moved from Southern California to Cheyenne, Wyo., for restoration. I covered it for two days with […]

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Union Pacific hit by washouts in Southwest

Map with four locations highlighted in red

OMAHA, Neb. — The weather-related service disruptions just keep mounting for Union Pacific. Already hit hard this summer by fire-related closures, the railroad on Saturday informed customers of a series of washouts caused by torrential rains in Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. “Our engineering teams are actively working to restore service to areas which […]

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