$178 million CRISI grant awarded for Gulf Coast rail

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration announced today $178 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program funding to restore Amtrak service from New Orleans to Mobile, Ala. The funding will help to build a platform for the Mobile end of the service, as well as additional track upgrades. “We’ve been fighting to […]

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Amtrak: Connecting America by Rail DVD Trailer

Amtrak: Connecting America by Rail DVD | 16127 Explore the captivating history and exciting future of Amtrak with our exclusive Amtrak DVD, available at the Kalmbach Hobby Store. Dive into over 50 years of remarkable transit adventures as Amtrak weaves its way through the nation’s most scenic routes, national parks, bustling cities, and charming towns. […]

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Georgia Railroad locomotives remembered

Dark blue streamlined Georgia Railroad diesel locomotives

Georgia Railroad locomotives included a mix of small steam designs and EMD models.     By 1914 the Georgia Road was powered by an assortment of 4-4-0s, 0-6-0s, Moguls, Ten-Wheelers, four modern Lima 2-8-2s, and a pair of light Pacifics. A handful of all-steel baggage cars, RPOs, and coaches shared the car roster with a […]

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Atlanta Beltline launches initiative to complete light-rail loop

Transit study map in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Beltline ATLANTA — Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is launching a study that proposes using 13.6 miles of a 22-mile rail transit corridor to circle downtown Atlanta. Known as the BeltLine loop, a mixture of biking and hiking trails along with a light-rail line will reuse sections of an inactive right-of-way. The study, a recent press […]

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Brightline Orlando to launch service Sept. 22

black and yellow high-speed train. Brightline Orlando to launch service Sept. 22.

MIAMI — Brightline announced today that service to Orlando International Airport will begin on Sept. 22, 2023. The new service will offer connections between Orlando and South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach), the company stated in a press release. “Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible […]

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Derail the Sale opposed to selling Cincinnati’s railroad

black and white locomotive pulling double stacked containers. Derail the Sale opposed to selling Cincinnati's railroad

CINCINNATI — While most people who follow trains and railroads realize that Cincinnati owns a railroad line, there is a good chance most local residents aren’t aware of what their city holds title to. The Cincinnati Southern Railroad, a 336-mile route connecting Cincinnati and Chattanooga, Tenn., was built by the city in the late 1870s. […]

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Rods-down roster shot

Stationary steam locomotive with man leaning out of the cab window

Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 6312 poses for a classic roster shot portrait with her right-hand side rods in the “down” position favored for such photos. She was one of 60 SOU class Ms-1’s built to the USRA light Mikado design in 1918 and 1922. “CNO&TP” lettering on the can designates assignment to SOU’s Cincinnati, New […]

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Cass Scenic Railroad’s “Big Six” to return to service

Giant geared steam locomotive pulls a freight train.

CASS, W.Va. — Former Western Maryland Railway geared steam locomotive No. 6 (“Big Six”) has recently completed its FRA 1,472-day inspection and boiler recertification. According to the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (DGVR), the massive Shay-type will undergo final break-in runs and adjustments before returning to excursion service on the Cass Scenic Railroad. “Big Six” […]

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MARTA commuter railcars heading for Atlantic Ocean

MARTAlogo

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has begun shipping old rapid transit MU cars to the Georgia coast and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. MARTA is partnering with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Reef Project to contribute cars from MARTA’s original fleet as they are replaced by new CQ400 railcars in coming […]

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Georgia Railroad mixed train

Cars from Georgia Railroad mixed train waiting on freight work

Editor’s Note: Former Classic Trains Senior Editor J. David Ingles rode the Georgia Railroad mixed train with his wife, Carol, on Oct. 22, 1975.     Wednesday morning was dawning clear but crisp as we left the motel, and our taxi driver had no trouble making the 7-mile trip to the Harrisonville Yard “passenger station” […]

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