Union Pacific “hospital” train detoured onto Iowa Interstate

gray steam locomotive

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The “hospital” train ferrying historic Union Pacific steam locomotives and other equipment to Silvis, Ill. was detoured onto the Iowa Interstate Railroad at Council Bluffs this morning. The train has been making a slow move across the UP main line since departing Cheyenne, Wyo. on Nov. 11. The slow speed of […]

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Civic group “adopts” Santa Fe locomotive

ATSF train with two guys in front of it

SANTA FE, N.M. — Santa Fe 2-10-4 No. 5030, displayed in a Santa Fe park since 1959, is getting a refresh thanks to the Old Santa Fe Association. Volunteers from the civic association cleared trash and weeds and set up a new fence around the 380,300-pound machine. They repaired some of the rust and corroded […]

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Canadian Pacific moves steam locomotive into shop

Steam locomotive with short passenger train in low angle sunlight.

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific has released a video of 4-6-4 No. 2816 being moved into its Calgary shop for overhaul. According to CP, No. 2816 is “being prepped for a special cross-continental trip from Calgary to Mexico City to celebrate completion of the proposed CP-KCS merger, pending regulatory approval, and the connecting of a […]

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Western Maryland Scenic Railroad acquires dining car

Red and silver passenger train

CUMBERLAND, Md. – The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has added former New York Central grill dining car No. 456 to its fleet. The car was part of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel complex for over 50 years. WMSR said in a Facebook post it will be relocating the diner to Cumberland as soon as possible. The […]

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Ohio Rail Development Commission seeks federal grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has approved resolutions to sponsor four Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant applications, totaling $52 million. Projects Cincinnati Planning Grant — In collaboration with Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Genesee & Wyoming, the project will review and prioritize projects that reduce congestion […]

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VIA Rail awards contract to modernize maintenance centers

VIA yellow and silver train on track

MONTRÉAL – VIA Rail Canada is awarding two contracts for the modernization of its maintenance centers in Toronto and Montréal. VIA awarded the contract for construction at the Toronto Maintenance Center to Buttcon Limited, based in Concord, Ontario. Pomerleau Inc., based in Montréal has been awarded the contract for work at the Montréal Maintenance Center. […]

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Interview with Photographer Wang Wei

Steam locomotive entering tunnel

Interview with Photographer Wang Wei: Golden sunlight-lit autumn leaves, grazing horses, steam, snow. Majestic mountains. Night shots. Sparks. The Big Dipper. Words fail at this point. Wang Wei’s images convey color, contrast, and depth to equal any images showing off awe-inspiring Chinese landscapes. Underlying these images’ qualities is a single constant: trains. Steam locomotives are […]

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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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