An A-B-B-A set of FT freight diesels crosses the Santa Fe’s just-completed bridge over Canyon Diablo west of Winslow, Ariz., in 1946. Santa Fe photo […]
Santa Fe’s Canyon Diablo bridge
Zone & Region: Southwest
BNSF logistics center in Arizona clears first regulatory hurdle
PHOENIX — Plans for a major BNSF intermodal and logistics facility near Phoenix have passed the first step in the permitting process. In a meeting last week, the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for the BNSF Logistics Park Phoenix development, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. The county’s Board of Supervisors will vote […]
Photo shoot with Santa Fe No. 2926 flashes a photo finish for 2024 season
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The final operations of the 2024 season for Santa Fe No. 2926 can be described as a photo finish. The 1944-built 4-8-4 was chartered by Pete Lerro for a private photo shoot on Oct. 28-29. Originally planned to be entirely at the Rail Yards complex in Downtown Albuquerque for both days, a […]
Ballot measures with rail component pass
Four ballot initiatives with at least some rail transit component all appear to have passed on Tuesday, based on results available this morning (Wednesday, Nov. 6). — In Maricopa County, Ariz., which includes Phoenix, voters appear to have approved an extension of a half-cent sales tax for transit, the Arizona Republic reports. The tax, introduced […]
Southwest scenery
A westbound Southern Pacific freight from El Paso, Texas, passes through the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico in 1952. SP’s eastward construction reached El Paso in 1881; by 1883, the company had cobbled together a route that reached New Orleans. R.D. McIntyre photo […]
Washout shuts down BNSF line in New Mexico
ROSWELL, N.M. — BNSF Railway’s Carlsbad Subdivision has been closed by a washout near Roswell that will keep the line closed for most of the week, the railroad has informed customers. An advisory on the railroad website says the washout was reported shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. After assessment by BNSF personnel, […]
Chicago CREATE project receives both Mega, INFRA grants
WASHINGTON — A piece of Chicago’s CREATE project and an element of California’s high speed rail construction are among the 11 recipients of Department of Transportation National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or Mega, grants announced today. Also, the same CREATE project and infrastructure improvements on the Paducah & Louisville Railway are among the 36 projects selected […]
UP derailment in Arizona leads to acid spill
GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. — Twenty-four cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Friday morning, resulting in a spill of sulfuric acid from one tank car, the Arizona Republic reports The incident occurred about 25 miles south of Tucson. No injuries were reported, and the railroad said in a statement to the newspaper that “no waterways […]
Passenger, commuter rail operations resuming in Florida
MIAMI, Fla. — Passenger and commuter rail services in Florida are making plans to resume now that Hurricane Milton has passed through the state — although the storm has left significant damage in its wake. Amtrak, Brightline, and South Florida commuter operator Tri-Rail will all resume at least some service on Friday, Oct. 11 Tri-Rail […]
Grand Canyon No. 4960 concludes 2024 steam season
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The conclusion of the Grand Canyon Railway’s 2024 steam season was a fall finish as 2-8-2 No. 4960 made its Oct. 5 round trip between Williams and Grand Canyon National Park. Railway Chief Mechanical Officer Eric Hadder said the locomotive did well with no significant problems. He also noted that No. 4960’s […]
Santa Fe No. 2926 showcased at New Mexico Railroad Days
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The second annual New Mexico Railroad Days, Sept. 28 and 29, marked the first public use of the Rail Yards’ south-end property in Downtown Albuquerque. What hasn’t changed was the drawing card of Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926, as it made its second visit of the year to the facility [See “Santa […]
FRA finalizes $3 billion Brightline West grant
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has officially signed the $3 billion grant agreement for the Brightline West rail project, the company has announced. The grant, awarded to the Nevada Department of Transportation, was signed today (Sept. 26). The grant award was announced in December 2023 [see “Legislators say Brightline West will receive $3 billion […]
