Canadian Pacific train derails, catches fire in Saskatchewan

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

MACOUN, Saskatchewan — A derailment and fire involving a Canadian Pacific train near the town of Macoun has closed a highway and led to the evacuation of a small number of homes, the Regina Leader-Post reports. At least four homes were evacuated and Provincial Route 39 was closed because of the fire involving an unknown […]

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How railroads transport different types of steel

Ask trains.com: What are the rules and regulations for hauling steel beams, sheet metal and rolled steel? In dealing with the steel beams, do they go by the weight of the beam or by the thickness of the beam? In dealing with sheet metal loads do they go by thickness or quantity of the sheet metal load? In dealing with the rolled steel how wide is the metal, thickness and number of feet in the roll? - James Shepard

Cody discusses the rules and regulations around the transport of steel products by rail. 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 editors […]

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What’s in a locomotive number?

Ask Traisn.com: I have noticed multiple cases where a local or regional railroad buys a locomotive from a Class One, then the unit gets repinted in the new owner's colors, but doesn't change the numbers. Why? - Rick Marsh.

Cody discusses locomotive numbering in this installment of Ask Trains. 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 editors answer the questions readers […]

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What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Ask Trains.com: What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Cody addresses the differences between a coach and a chair car in this installment of Ask Trains. 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 […]

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Has the railroad industry considered adding solar panels to diesel locomotives?

Ask Trains.com: Has the railroad industry thought about putting solar panels on the diesel locomotives yet? I believe that would save money in the long run. Save on fuel costs too.

Cody discusses the application of solar power in the rail industry. 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 editors answer the questions […]

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Has the railroad industry considered adding solar panels to diesel locomotives?

Ask Trains.com: Has the railroad industry thought about putting solar panels on the diesel locomotives yet? I believe that would save money in the long run. Save on fuel costs too.

Cody discusses the application of solar power in the rail industry. 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 editors answer the questions […]

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Alstom demonstrates autonomous operation of switcher in Europe

Two people in high visibility vests observing switch engine

BREDA, Netherlands — Alstom says it has demonstrated fully autonomous operation for a switching locomotive in the Netherlands — with starting, movement, stopping, and handling of unexpected obstacles without involvement of on-train staff. The company says this week’s announcement concludes a series of tests that are part of a partnership with Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail and […]

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Report from Ottawa light rail inquiry blasts city officials, transit consortium

Red and white light rail train

OTTAWA, Ontario — City officials and the companies that built Ottawa’s problem-plagued light-rail Confederation line were guilty of “egregious violations of public trust” that included instances of “deliberate malfeasance,” according to the 664-page report from a public inquiry into the light rail project released Wednesday. The CBC reports that the document from Justice William Hourigan, […]

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