Super failure? Santa Fe’s famed Super C freight commanded high rates — charged to placate other Santa Fe customers. This meant it had extremely limited traffic, as illustrated by a one-car train in 1969. Photo by Wayne Bridges […]
Super failure?
Type of Train: Freight
Digest: Metrorail Safety Commission sees ‘troubling’ DC Metro safety issues
Metrorail Commission says DC Metro moving the wrong way on safety issues The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, the independent agency created by Congress to oversee DC Metro safety issues, says the transit agency is moving the wrong way in terms of such basics as making sure trains stop for red signals and following worker safety […]
TrucTrain terminal
TrucTrain terminal The Pennsylvania Railroad’s Chicago TrucTrain terminal had a concrete ramp with six tracks and access platforms between pairs of tracks. Note the storage tracks for empty flatcars at left. Photo by Pennsylvania Railroad […]
Bankruptcy sale of San Luis & Rio Grande begins
DENVER, Colo. — With an initial offer of $7.5 million in hand, bids are now being accepted for the sale through federal bankruptcy court of the San Luis & Rio Grande railroad, the former Iowa Pacific Holdings property based in Alamosa, Colo., that operates 154 miles of former Denver & Rio Grande Western lines. In […]
CN-Watco deal for Wisconsin, Michigan branch lines runs into unexpected opposition
WASHINGTON — In a move that has stunned rail observers, a pair of local shipper groups is challenging Canadian National’s proposed sale of former Wisconsin Central branches to short line operator Watco. This month CN and Watco sought to have their deal considered exempt from review by the Surface Transportation Board, which is the typical […]
Digest: Fire causes estimated $3 million damage to BNSF building
Scottsbluff, Neb., BNSF building sustains $3 million damage in fire A fire in the terminal building at BNSF’s facility in Alliance, Neb., is reported to have caused about $3 million in damage. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department responded to the building Sunday about 12:20 p.m., had the fire “somewhat controlled” around […]
Justice Department questions structure of CP-KCS merger plans (updated)
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Monday questioned Canadian Pacific’s plans to put Kansas City Southern into an independent voting trust while the railroads’ proposed merger is under regulatory review. But the railroads, in a separate filing to the Surface Transportation Board on Monday evening, defended their merger, the voting trust, and their request to […]
Digest: NJ Transit study could lead to end of ‘Princeton Dinky’
NJ Transit study considers alternatives to ‘Princeton Dinky’ rail service NJ Transit is conducting a study that could lead to replacement of the “Princeton Dinky,” the 2.7-mile rail operation using two-car Arrow III trainsets to connect the Northeast Corridor’s Princeton Junction station to the Princeton University campus that is the shortest scheduled commuter rail line […]
Digest: Former Amtrak official Stadtler named executive director of Virginia rail agency
Stadtler named as first executive director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Donald A. (DJ) Stadtler Jr. has been named as the first executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the agency established by the state legislature in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand passenger and commuter rail service in the state. Gov. Ralph Northam […]
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range: Freight trains
All through April 2021, Classic Trains editors are celebrating, the history, heritage, and grit of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad. Please enjoy this freight train photo gallery of images selected from the files of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. Only from Classic Trains! […]
NS Trash Train consigned to the dumpster of history
ROANOKE, Va. — For more than a quarter century, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern crew would report in Roanoke and start train V60, commonly known as the “Star City Stinker” or “Trash Train.” No more. The Monday-through-Friday operation would start just east of Roanoke’s famed East End Shops and travel 30 miles west […]
Dubuque depot
Dubuque depot In 1916, the Illinois Central’s Dubuque, Iowa, freight house had three tracks, including one that passed through the building. Photo by Illinois Central […]
