Caltrain marks milestones in electrification project

Caltrain logo

SAN FRANCISCO — In 2022 California’s Caltrain achieved a number of milestones for its $2.44 billion electrification project from San Francisco to its Tamien Station in San Jose, Calif. It’s the largest electrification project in the U.S. since Amtrak completed electrification of its Northeast Corridor from New Haven to Boston in 2000. Construction on the […]

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Sisseton Milbank Railroad seeking federal grants to rebuild line

Web of 75-pound rail

  SISSETON, S.D. — The Sisseton Milbank Railroad, owned by Twin Cities & Western Railroad, is seeking $24.7 million in grant funds to rebuild the railroad, the Watertown (S.D.) Public Opinion reported. The former Milwaukee Road branch line was built in 1893 and still has 75-pound rail. The railroad can’t handle 286,000 pound cars and […]

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State, local rail projects part of Omnibus funding bill

passenger train conductor scanning tickets

WASHINGTON — In December, Congress passed the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will continue funding for the federal government. Appropriators included significant funding for passenger rail and transit grant programs, which came in addition to capital funding included in the five-year Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. The measure includes $2.45 billion for Amtrak — below […]

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Northern Pacific Slenderella Salad

man with fork on Trains Live with Slenderella Salad

Trains LIVE — Northern Pacific Slenderella Salad Trains LIVE — 1-4-2023 — Happy New Year and welcome to 2023. Did you know that of the top five New Year’s resolutions made annually, three of them involve fitness, health, and a better diet? Our resolve regarding our resolutions fades quickly, however. In 2022, surveys indicate that […]

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What is a double barrel hopper train?

double barrel hopper train: I saw a reference to "double barrel hopper train" a few months back and cannot seem to find out what it means. Does anyone know?

Cody explains the double barrel hopper train with input from Trains Magazine columnist Bill Stephens. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where […]

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Rail traffic controllers ratify new agreement, CN announces

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National announced Tuesday that the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference has ratified a new contract agreement covering approximately 160 CN rail traffic controllers in Canada. The agreement, ratified on Dec. 23, is effective through Dec. 31, 2025 and includes wage increases of 3% in 2023, 3% in 2024, and 2.5% in 2025, as […]

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Five common shortline diesel locomotives in North America

Three red and white diesel

Five common shortline diesel locomotives in North America: When it comes to short lines and regional railroads, differences abound. Their location, size and overall operation makes each stand out from one another. It’s usually true with motive power too, but railroads can and do populate their rosters with common locomotives that have proved their worth […]

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Railfanning Chicago: Clarendon Hills

Commuter train arrives at station

Metra’s new Clarendon Hills station New Metra stations are rare enough. One on the Chicago-area commuter operator’s most-used line is a particularly big deal, given how many people will likely use it — and how long it is likely to be used. So it seemed worthwhile to devote one chapter of our occasional series on […]

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