Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to host annual conference Aug. 9

Logo of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

BUTTE, Mont. — Federal railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose and Surface Transportation Board Vice Chair Karen Hedlund are among scheduled speakers at the third annual conference of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, set for Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Hotel Finlen in Butte. The conference will bring together passenger advocates, government officials, railroad representatives, […]

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Burlington commuter trains, circa 1920

Burlington Route commuter trains

In about 1920, long before E units and gallery cars took over the Burlington Route’s Chicago suburban service, five trains, each headed by a 4-6-0, stand in the yard at Downers Grove, Ill., poised to take commuters into the Windy City. L. E. Griffith coll. […]

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Chicago Hub project vies for big chunk of federal grant money

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker led an entourage of local and national political firepower Thursday in touting Amtrak’s application for federal funding for the Chicago Hub project, a more than $1.1 billion plan to improve Chicago Union Station and routes into the city. The request to the Federal Railroad Administration for an $872.8 million Federal-State […]

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LIRR train derails near Jamaica station, injuring 13 (updated)

Derailed electric multiple unit trainset

NEW YORK — Thirteen people are reported to have been injured after a Long Island Rail Road train derailed today (Aug. 3) east of the LIRR’s Jamaica station in Queens. The website amNY reports the train involved had left Grand Central Madison at 10:43 a.m. bound for Hempstead, and derailed about 11:15 a.m. FDNY Commissioner […]

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Clean up your 2400-series Lionel passenger cars

Lionel 2400 passenger cars catalog image

The 2400-series Lionel passenger cars have always been popular with operators and collectors. In the postwar era the plastic streamliners have been run in green with yellow trim, yellow with red trim, and silver with black trim and gray roofs. Q: I bought a great set of 2400-series Lionel passenger cars. They look fine and […]

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FTA involved in investigation of SEPTA accidents: news report

Aerial view of derailed light-rail vehicle with one end inside stone building

PHILADELPHIA — The Federal Transit Administration will play a part in the investigation of a recent rash of incidents involving Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolleys and buses, WTXF-TV reports. SEPTA vehicles were involved in five incidents in a week in late July, including a collision of two buses that killed a 72-year-old woman and an […]

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The Lionel No. 2055 Hudson

Lionel No. 2055 Hudson

The Lionel No. 2055 Hudson was prominent in the parade of 4-6-4 steam engines in O-27 outfits from 1950-56. Others in that notable group, including the 2046, 2056, and 2065, thrilled the many kids who received freight and passenger outfits at the peak of the postwar era. When the editorial staff of Classic Toy Trains […]

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MBTA reaches deal with largest union

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has reached a new labor agreement with its largest union, affecting more than 6,000 workers including bus and train operators. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Carmen’s Amalgamated Transit Union Local 589 announced the agreement on Wednesday. WBUR reports it will provide an 18% wage increase over four […]

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MTA chooses consultant for Interborough Express environmental review

Illustration of light rail station

NEW YORK — Consultant WSP USA will perform the environmental review for the Interborough Express, the proposed 14-mile light rail line in Brooklyn and Queens which will use the right-of-way of Long Island Rail Road’s Bay Ridge Branch for a route connecting 17 subway lines and LIRR commuter rail service. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also […]

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Montreal light rail sees 25,000 trips on first day

Light rail train on bridge over freight yard

MONTREAL — About 25,000 trips were taken on Monday’s first day of paid service for the Réseau express métropolitain light rail service, REM officials said Tuesday. That was despite two incidents that stopped service during Monday’s peak morning commute for more than an hour [see “Montreal’s REM experiences bumpy first day,” Trains News Wire, Aug. […]

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