Colorado changes team for Moffat Tunnel lease negotiations

Yellow locomotive and passenger cars at tunnel.

DENVER — The state of Colorado has changed its negotiating team addressing the expiring lease for the Moffat Tunnel, with the state’s Department of Transportation taking over from the Department of Local Affairs to lead negotiations with Union Pacific over use of the state-owned bore through the Rocky Mountains. The website Colorado Newsline reports that […]

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Builder of Montreal light rail system to address noise issues

Light rail train crossing bridge at sunset

MONTREAL — The builder of Montreal’s light rail system has announced measures it says will address noise complaints that have arisen since the new Réseau express métropolitain system launched service on July 31. The Montreal Gazette reports CDPQ Infra — the construction arm of provincial pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Québec — […]

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Ask Trains: Tank car color schemes

A line of white-painted railroad tank cars with a swath of green grass in the foreground, framed by a tree branch

Q What is the meaning of tank car color schemes? Is there a color code? Some tank cars have a contrasting horizontal stripe on the middle section of the tank, while other tank cars are painted a solid color. Since some tank cars carry hazardous or toxic chemicals while others carry edible materials, are the […]

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Connecticut orders six dual-mode locomotives from Siemens

Blue and silver locomotive with red trim in urban setting

NEW YORK — The Connecticut Department of Transportation is ordering six dual-mode locomotives from Siemens Mobility for use on the MTA Metro-North Railroad, adding to an earlier Metro-North order for 27 such units placed in 2020. The newly ordered locomotives will be delivered through 2027. Overall, the contract includes options for up to 171 locomotives […]

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NTSB issues final report on collision between UP maintenance machine, Capitol Corridor train

Badly damaged piece of maintenance equipment

WASHINGTON — The operator of a piece of maintenance-of-way equipment moved onto unprotected track for unknown reasons, the National Transportation Safety Board said in determining the probable cause of a July 2022 collision between a Union Pacific roadway maintenance machine and an Amtrak Capitol Corridor train in Oakland, Calif. The NTSB completed its final accident […]

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Amtrak projects receive almost $200 million in CRISI grants

WASHINGTON — Amtrak received almost $200 million in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grants announced Monday, a list of awards highlighted by the more than $178 million for the restoration of Gulf Coast passenger service [see “Federal Railroad Administration awards more than $1.4 billion,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 24, 2023]. […]

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Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train hosts first onboard wrestling match

White high speed train in Japan

Bullet train TOKYO — Since December 2022, the Central Japan Railway Co. has offered personalized “chartered car packages” on its Nozomi bullet trains of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed line. Designed to cater private events, such as graduation and employee trips, the new service has caught the attention of onboard wrestling, a world first. According to […]

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Swiss Spectacular, the final chapter: Homeward bound

Passenger train with electric locomotive rounds curve after exiting tunnel

ABOARD SWISS AIR FLIGHT 6 — Well, those were three remarkable weeks. But how could they be otherwise? When it comes to railroading, Switzerland is one remarkable place. I spent those three weeks meandering around the country by rail — solo at first, then as part of a small tour organized by Swiss Tourism built […]

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News & Products for the week of September 25th 2023

A set of three reefer cars in different paint schemes

News & Products for the week of September 25th 2023   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of September 25th […]

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City of Miami passenger train

City of Miami passenger train

The City of Miami passenger train one of three coordinated services linking Chicago with Miami.     There was a time — like, as recently as 1979 — there was direct rail passenger service between the Upper Midwest (notably Chicago) and Florida. This ended with several slashes of Amtrak routes as a result of budget […]

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