Riding trains in the 1940s

Steam locomotive on passenger on curve among trees

I still remember riding trains in the 1940s.   During my pre-school and primary school days we lived on the South side of Chicago near 76th and Coles Avenue. My father worked at the Wisconsin Steel Division of the International Harvester Co. making steel for the war effort and for civilian use following the completion […]

Read More…

Siemens optimistic about US passenger market

Two passenger trains, one white and blue, one white and yellow, on display tracks outside exhibition hall.

BERLIN — The prospects for a number of transformative passenger projects, as well as the potential for more rail electrification, have the CEO of Siemens Mobility in North America upbeat as he considers his company’s future. Marc Buncher heads a company that has grown rapidly in North America, with its Sacramento, Calif., manufacturing site employing […]

Read More…

A bad week for the California Zephyr

Passenger train with bilevel cars at station

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr has been cancelled this Sunday, Sept. 25 — continuing a week of disruptions for the service between Chicago and Emeryville, Calif. The sequence that led to Sunday’s cancellation began with the westbound departure of Monday, Sept. 19, which sustained delays totaling 16 hours, 35 minutes on its way to […]

Read More…

News photos: A short South Shore special

Two orange and maroon locomotives and one passenger cars under shed at two-track station

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A South Shore Line special train — the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s two GP38-2 rebuilds and one car, the former Milwaukee Road business car Montana — awaits departure from the South Shore station at South Bend International Airport on Thursday, Sept. 22. The train was scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. […]

Read More…

California’s Valley Link rail system to pursue hydrogen power

Map of a planned commuter rail line between Dublin and Lathrop, Calif.

TRACY, Calif. — The planned Valley Link commuter rail system, which would run from Lathrop, Calif., to Dublin/Pleasanton, will pursue the possibility of using hydrogen-powered equipment when it launches in 2027, the Modesto Bee reports. The Valley Link board voted earlier this month to accept a report that found the alternative energy source feasible and […]

Read More…

Amtrak sets goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045

Passenger train led by black locomotive with blue and white stripes

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its network by 2045, the company announced Thursday. “With new equipment, modernized stations, and net zero emissions, Amtrak can lead the drive toward sustainable transportation throughout the nation,” CEO Stephen Gardner said in a press release. The company said its efforts to […]

Read More…

More fiction books about railroading and locomotive topics

two railway themed books

Fiction books about railroading and locomotive topics     The Necropolis Railway (A Jim Stringer mystery) By Andrew Martin Genre: Mystery/crime novel First published: 2002 It’s November 14, 1903, and young Jim Springer is traveling to London to start a job on the London & South Western Railway. He’s put to work cleaning engines No. […]

Read More…

Speakers, schedule set for hearing on CP-KCS merger

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — A broad range of representatives of railroads, unions, shippers, environmental organizations, and opponents are scheduled to testify during the Surface Transportation Board’s three-day hearing on the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, set for next Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 28-30. The STB released the full list of scheduled speakers today (Sept. 22) along […]

Read More…

Three injured in Denver-area light-rail derailment (updated)

Damaged light-rail train in roadway

AURORA, Colo. — Three people were taken to local hospitals with injuries after a Regional Transportation District light-rail train derailed in Aurora on Wednesday afternoon, the Denver Post reports. The accident occurred about 3:45 p.m. on a tight curve through the intersection at South Sable Boulevard and East Exposition Avenue. That location is about a […]

Read More…

MTA awards contract for Penn Station redesign

Illustration showing station concourse under large glass ceiling

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in partnership with NJ Transit and Amtrak, has approved a contract for the redesign of New York’s Penn Station. A joint venture of FXCollaborative Architects LLOP and WSP USA Inc, with British architect John McAslan + Partners as collaborating architect, will advance a plan for a single-level facility […]

Read More…