Beginning in the early 2000s, the rail industry was introduced to something not seen before, new-build six-axle locomotive lease fleets. CIT Group was the first to purchase, acquiring 40 EMD SD9043MACs in late 1999 and early 2000. This was followed by 25 new General Electric AC4400CWs in 2001 and another 35 AC4400CWs in 2004. The […]
Well, I left everybody hanging with the end of my last story, the Cascade Tunnel adventure. The adventure continued even after my conductor, Chris, and I left our freight train inside the 7.9-mile-long Cascade Tunnel after the ventilation failed and hurried our light engines to daylight — and fresh air. Once outside, Chris and I […]
DULUTH, Ga. — The Southeastern Railway Museum, a 35-acre facility established in Duluth in 1970, is among sites included on Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 list of 10 Places in Peril. The organization says the list, issued Feb. 26, is designed to raise awareness about Georgia historic, archaeological, and cultural resources threatened by demolition, […]
A late train can happen for many reasons. It’s up to you to make the most of an unexpected delay. It’s no secret — and it shouldn’t be a surprise — that sometimes North American overnight long-haul passenger trains can run hours behind schedule. Here’s are tips for making the most of an extended journey. […]
MIAMI — Three counties served by commuter operator Tri-Rail are being asked to pay $10 million each to cover a $30 million annual deficit, with the possibility looming that deficit could reach $90 million per year. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports in a paywalled article that the executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation […]
For many years, operators of mainline steam locomotives knew they had a valuable friend in Jim Schwinkendorf, a veteran railroad manager who oversaw several high-profile special movements in his years at BNSF Railway, including supervision of the railroad’s Employee Appreciation Specials. James Alden “Jim” Schwinkendorf, of Pacific, Mo., died Feb. 21, 2025. He was 81. […]
Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad has returned its F7A and F7B locomotives to service. With an impressive plume of smoke, F7A No. 403, built for the Chicago & North Western in 1949, and former Alaska Railroad F7B No. 1503 led a train out of Cañon City, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. It was the […]
WILMINGTON, Del. — The Wilmington & Western Railroad will suspend operations for the 2025 season “to conduct important maintenance and repairs to our beloved equipment,” according to a statement posted on the railroad’s website on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. The statement from the board of directors for the railroad’s parent organization, Historic Red Clay Valley […]
PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — Non-profit initiative Erie Turntable has announced its lineup of events for 2025, including plans for the inaugural Orange County Transportation Festival in August. The Port Jervis turntable site, leased by Erie Turntable parent organization TOYX, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from May 10 through Oct. 12 from noon to 4 […]
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Short line company Anacostia Rail Holdings has become the newest member of RailPulse, the consortium working to bring telematics to the North American freight car fleet. The Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad will be the first of Anacostia’s six railroads to introduce the technology, adding telematic units supported by […]
WILMINGTON, Del. — Volunteers on the Wilmington & Western Railroad say railroad staff have notified them that operations on the long-time heritage railway are paused indefinitely. Volunteers seeking information about the railroad’s March schedule were notified of the decision in an email earlier this month. The railway depends on its all-volunteer crew to staff trains. […]
A frequent question from railfans is why? Why are some diesels destined for scrap? Why does your favorite locomotive go off the breaker’s yard? Why do some engines get shuffled off this mortal coil while others continue for decade after decade? There is a multi-part answer to that, and it involves bureaucracy, the economy, mechanical […]
