News & Products for the week of August 28th 2023

News & Products for the week of August 28th 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 August 28th […]

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How Amtrak services fared with summer travel surge: Analysis

Passenger train with converted locomotive cab car leading.

WASHINGTON — Though Amtrak ridership for June and July 2023 did not reach pre-pandemic levels for the same months in 2019, a review of company statistics shows systemwide revenue beat the total for those months thanks to strong performance from Northeast Corridor and long-distance service. Frequency and capacity played a part in the performance shown […]

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Rocky Mountaineer resumes regular operations in Canada

A Rocky Mountaineer train

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia — Rocky Mountaineer tour train service resumed its normal schedule in Canada as of Sunday, Aug. 27, following several days of disruptions, the company reports. Some departures had been cancelled as a result of wildfires in British Columbia, as well as an emergency order by British Columbia government that restricted non-essential travel […]

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California begins process of purchasing high speed trainsets

Computer rendering of California high speed rail train at dusk

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is preparing to buy the first trainsets for its high speed rail system. The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors last week approved a Request for Qualifications for the purchase of six trainsets for use on the initial 171-mile, Merced-to-Bakersfield section of the long-delayed LA-San Francisco high speed system. “Our […]

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BART to retire last original cars on Sept. 11

Black and white photo of rapid-transit equipment in underground station

OAKLAND, Calif. — The last original Bay Area Rapid Transit cars are set to be retired next month, public broadcaster KQED reports. With some 560 of the next-generation “Fleet of the Future” now in service, BART plans to retire its legacy equipment as of Sept. 11, 51 years after the system opened. The transit operator’s […]

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MBTA plans 16-day shutdown of some Red Line service

Orange and white PCC trolley car on double track

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will shut down a 5-mile, 11-station segment of Red Line rail service for 16 days in October to address track maintenance, the agency announced today. The shutdown from Oct. 14 to Oct. 29 will affect the Ashmont Branch between the JFK/UMass and Ashmont stations, as well as the […]

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Amtrak long-distance equipment shortage, mechanical challenges continue

People standing on station platform as train approaches

CHICAGO —  “Unforeseen mechanical issues” resulted in the cancellation of Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal out of New York on Wednesday, Aug. 23, despite the fact that the triweekly train’s equipment had arrived at the Big Apple’s Sunnyside Yard late Sunday. As has been recent custom, this resulted in the cancellation of its eastbound counterpart from Chicago […]

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Siemens breaks ground on new North Carolina plant

Aerial-view illustration of factory

LEXINGTON, N.C. — Siemens Mobility broke ground Wednesday, Aug. 23, on its new Lexington, N.C., plant, which aims to begin production in 2024 and expects to employ more than 500 people by 2028. The new facility, on a 200-acre site with room for expansion, will produce passenger cars as well as offering locomotive and passenger […]

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