ORLANDO, Fla. — With a display of civic support from mayors along its route, Brightline has celebrated completion of construction on its route to Orlando, as well as the contribution its employees have made in forging a unique passenger rail operation. The event today (Wednesday, June 21) at Brightline’s Orlando International Airport station comes as […]
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WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation struck two disparate themes during a hearing today (Wednesday, June 21) for three nominees for Amtrak’s board of directors. One, they remain concerned that President Joe Biden’s board nominees board do not meet a geographic-balance requirement. Two, the desire remains strong on the […]
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SEATTLE — Amtrak and BNSF Railway are asking the city of Seattle to close a section of a street near the Seattle Mariners’ ballpark in the city’s Sodo neighborhood to expand the passenger carrier’s maintenance facility and eliminate a busy grade crossing. The Seattle Times reports the proposal would close South Holgate Street, which splits […]
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The Train Masters of Babylon sounds exotic, but the reality is it’s just a great O gauge club layout in New York. Highly detailed and encompassing more than 2,400 square feet, this 41 x 60 display showcases the railroads of the region. Read more in the July-August 2023 issue. […]
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The Train Masters of Babylon sounds exotic, but the reality is it’s just a great O gauge club layout in New York. Highly detailed and encompassing more than 2,400 square feet, this 41 x 60 display showcases the railroads of the region. Read more in the July-August 2023 issue. […]
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STUART, Fla. — Brightline high speed testing in Florida’s Martin County, which had been scheduled for later this week, has been postponed, the passenger operator said today (Tuesday, June 20). Testing had been scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, through Friday, June 23, at speeds up to 110 mph through a series of grade crossings, as […]
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NEW YORK — “Putting it Together” (Trains Magazine, July 2023) — a look at major commuter rail projects in the New York area — explains how Long Island Rail Road trains now serve a massive underground station next to venerable Grand Central Terminal, home to Metro North’s Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven routes. Commuters connecting […]
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Commuter rail service West Coast Express has expanded service to and from Vancouver as of Monday, June 19, thanks to introduction of a trainset with a newly refurbished locomotive. It marks the first time WCE has offered five weekday round trips since 2020. The new equipment will make two round trips […]
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Adding diesel sound to American Flyer trains is easier than ever thanks to ready-made electronics. If you can accomplish basic wiring tasks, you can install the needed components. I run a mix of postwar American Flyer and Flyer produced by Lionel. That means with newer stuff I’m quite used to the sounds of modern electronics […]
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My railroad is located in the last 12 feet at the end of my backyard and occupies an area about 12’ x 43’, with no hope for expansion. Although I’m generally happy with the 120’ of track in a folded dog bone configuration, I’m always looking for ways to add more track without making it […]
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HONOLULU — Hawaii’s new rail transit system has a new name. The long-delayed, much troubled light rail project — known throughout construction by the name of the agency responsible, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation — was rebranded as “Skyline” on Friday by city officials. A city press release says Skyline was “one of many […]
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline will resume testing at speeds up to 110 mph in Martin County, Fla., Wednesday through Friday of this week, June 21-23 — testing that will also impact the St. Lucie River drawbridge in Stuart, Fla. It had initially been scheduled to being today (Monday, June 19). Testing is scheduled for 6 […]
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