Rail preservation efforts often can come full circle. For 29-year-old Aaron Farmer, his career has circled back to the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) in Owosso, Mich. From the beginning as a young volunteer to now being employed as the Master Mechanic of Rolling Stock for the non-profit organization, his journey involves understanding the value of […]
WASHINGTON — Responding to an Amtrak request from late last year, the Surface Transportation Board announced today (July 11) it will open an investigation into Sunset Limited timekeeping issues. Today’s board decision also outlines the framework for the process — a detailed procedure that will continue well into 2024. Establishment of that framework is necessary […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak service between Washington Union Station and Alexandria, Va., has been suspended following the low-speed derailment this morning in a tunnel to the station, the Washington Post reports. The derailment of the locomotive and a coach of Northeast Regional train No. 86 from Norfolk, Va., occurred at 8:47 a.m. One Amtrak employee was […]
Slugs What are slugs, what do they do You’re at trackside, eyeing an approaching CSX train. The roar of working diesels increases, but it’s oddly distant, given that the engines are so close. The lead unit grinds by, eerily silent but for the humming of its traction motors, followed by two others making all the […]
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink rail service through San Clemente could resume next week, based on progress in construction of a wall to protect both rail services from a landslide. The San Clemente Times reports that the wall beneath the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is nearing completion, according to an […]
MUNCIE, Ind. — Nickle Plate Road SD9 No. 358 is nearing the end of a lengthy process of restoration to operation by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, with Progress Rail returning the locomotive to its appearance as built in 1957. The locomotive, donated by Norfolk Southern to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in […]
Seashore Trolley Museum The Seashore Trolley Museum is one of the world’s earliest successful enthusiast-led railroad preservation efforts. Founded in 1939 as the “New England Electric Railway Historical Society” to help preserve elements of rapidly vanishing electric interurban railways, the organization gradually developed an operating museum for electric and urban transit vehicles. Based in Kennebunkport, […]
SILVIS, Ill. – Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) continues to make progress on several projects at its former Rock Island shop in Silvis. The group is planning to return to service former Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, 2-10-2 No. 5511, and “Centennial” DDA40X diesel No. 6936. National Railway Equipment, which shares the Silvis shop complex […]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A 0-4-0T locomotive that served as a shop switcher for a New York Central subsidiary will be preserved by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Despatch Shops No. 5, built in 1924 by the Vulcan Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was purchased by Merchants Despatch Transportation Corp. for use at its freight […]
CALGARY, Alberta — The Province of Alberta will provide C$3 million in funding for a study of a rail link between Calgary’s downtown and airport, the Calgary Herald reports. The study will consider alternatives including a long-discussed extension of Calgary Transit’s light rail Blue Line and the proposed service that would link the airport, downtown, […]
WASHINGTON — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has recognized a record number of its member railroads for a 2022 Jake Safety Award, as well as for the award “with distinction” for zero reportable injuries. The ALSRRA announced Monday that 383 railroads had qualified for the Jake Award and 350 for the award […]
BILL, Wyo. — Twenty-one cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed today (July 10), blocking UP’s route to ship coal out of the Powder River Basin. Cowboy State Daily reports the derailment occurred about 6:30 a.m. approximately 4 miles southeast of Lusk, Wyo., which is 130 miles north of Cheyenne. No injuries were reported. […]
