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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Chicago’s Red Line Extension receives $1.9 billion federal commitment

Logo of Chicago Transit Authority

CHICAGO – The Federal Transit Administration has committed $1.947 billion in federal funding for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line Extension Project. The 5.6-mile extension of the CTA’s Red Line to Chicago’s southern border is the first rail transit extension since the Orange Line, running southwest to Midway International Airport from the Loop opened in […]

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France to launch German-style low-cost monthly rail pass

Trains Magazine logo

PARIS — In an effort to encourage greener travel, Clément Beaune, France’s transport minister, announced a new reduced-price monthly rail pass to be introduced in summer 2024 across the country, according to a story in the Guardian. The pass, modeled after the similar and highly successful program offered in Germany, will cost around €49 (US […]

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Norfolk Southern fined for 2019 Georgia spill

Norfolk Southern logo

Norfolk Southern has been fined $77,640 for violations of the Clean Water Act and other regulations stemming from an Oct. 9, 2019, derailment near Kathleen, Ga., according to a story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The derailment, on a bridge, caused cars to accordion together with some breaking open. As a result, 50 gallons of diesel […]

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Amtrak IG assesses company’s spending plans

Passenger train near station among trees in fall.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General on Wednesday released a report detailing the steps the company says it is taking to use, account for, and report on the $22 billion it is slated to receive directly from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding [see “Infrastructure bill addresses Amtrak priorities, congressional requirements,” News Wire, […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad returns to operation

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad returns to operation. Steam locomotive with passenger cars

ELBE, Wash. — Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad has begun offering a limited excursion schedule for September and October as stated on its website. The train trips come at least a year or two ahead of the railroad’s timeline for returning to operation [see “Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad scheduled to reopen by 2025,” Trains, December 2022]. […]

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Five cabooses you can model

Color photo of steel wide-cupola caboose painted maroon and yellow.

With school back in session, the sun setting earlier, and the first hints of autumn showing up in the trees, it also means we’re getting back to peak model railroading season. Are you searching for some workbench projects to keep you busy this fall and winter? Here are five cabooses you can model. I just […]

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Nonhazardous waste from East Palestine to be trucked out

Burned out tank cars and tank truck in muddy area

COSHOCTON COUNTY, Ohio — Beginning in mid-September, nonhazardous wastewater from Norfolk Southern’s East Palestine, Ohio, derailment cleanup will be trucked here for disposal, according to statements from the Environmental Protection Agency and a Spectrum News story. Currently, the site from the Feb. 3, derailment generates one million gallons of wastewater per week from excavation-related stormwater […]

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