Friends of Cumbres & Toltec names new executive director

Logo of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the organization that serves as the heritage rail line’s museum arm, has hired Rick Marsden as its new executive director. The Friends board announced the move Jan. 24. The hiring is effective Feb. 13. Marsden will replace Tim Tennant, retiring after 20 years […]

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Produce power

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A Southern Pacific produce train arrives at Tucumcari, N.M., in June 1951 behind AC-9 class 2-8-8-4 No. 3804. The railroad had 12 such locomotives built by Lima in 1939. W.G. Fancher photo […]

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Brightline West now expecting to launch in December 2028

Illustration of high speed train in desert

LAS VEGAS — Brightline West no longer expects to launch operations in time to capitalize on visitors to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, according to a company bond offering. KTNV-TV reports that the 1,200 pages of documents related to that bond offering indicate that passenger service is now likely to begin in December […]

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New Mexico Rail Runner receives grant for new shop facilities

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WASHINGTON — The agency overseeing the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter operation has received a $22.4 million grant for a new maintenance facility. The grant, from the Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, is among nine announced Monday (Jan. 13, 2025) by members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation. Also […]

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Storm cancellations, maintenance failures continue to plague Amtrak: Analysis (updated)

Passenger train passing through snow-covered yard with Chicago skyline in distance

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s “new normal” for handling anticipated severe weather — cancelling trains rather than operating them into a region where a storm is predicted — has proven to be a significant change from decades past when passenger rail earned an “all-weather” reputation. Fewer railroad resources in far-flung locations and Amtrak’s stretched-thin equipment situation are […]

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Amtrak announces extensive storm-related cancellations (updated)

Passenger train leaves rooster tail of snow as it runs on three-track main line

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced an extensive list of train cancellations as of today (Saturday, Jan. 4), extending into Tuesday, Jan. 7. Operations from coast to coast are affected as a result of the winter storm currently moving through the center of the country. The cancellations began with Friday’s scheduled departure of the eastbound Southwest […]

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Southwest Chief, Missouri River Runner see storm cancellations

Passenger train leaves rooster tail of snow as it runs on three-track main line

The first cancellations of Amtrak service have been announced in advance of a winter storm expected to hit a large portion of the nation this weekend. Earlier today (Jan. 3, 2025), the eastbound Southwest Chief departure from Los Angeles, scheduled for 5:19 p.m. PT, for was cancelled because of the forecast of inclement weather, according […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 3: Brightline West

Line of people with hammers at table with rail and spikees

It was described at groundbreaking as the start of the United States high-speed rail industry. But arguably, the Brightline West project is the best hope for establishing true U.S. high speed rail. The April 22, 2024, groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas — on a lot south of the Las Vegas strip, next to Interstate 15, […]

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Mechanical problems cancel Texas Eagle round trip en route

Passenger train at station platform at night

ST. LOUIS — After attempting to rectify “ongoing mechanical issues” following the westbound Texas Eagle’s on-time arrival in St. Louis on Saturday evening, Dec. 21, Amtrak decided to cancel the train across the rest of its route to San Antonio, Tex., leaving Texas travelers with a lump of coal. An advisory at 11:50 p.m., more […]

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Texas Tunnel

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The eastbound Southern Pacific Sunset Limited approaches the Memorial Tunnel at El Paso, Texas, on March 15, 1952. Born in 1894, the Sunset had received its latest upgrade in 1950. Classic Trains collection […]

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Helping the Chief

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Santa Fe 2-10-2 No. 1680 assists the 15 passenger cars and three diesels on train No. 19, the Chief, at Wootton, Colo., on the climb up Raton Pass on June 17, 1950. R.H. Kindig photo […]

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