Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited pulls into downtown Chicago on Monday, July 25, with two Amfleet II diner-lounge cars in the consist. Recently discovered structural problems forced Amtrak to remove heritage diners, ones built in the 1940s and 1950s, and reassign structurally OK diners from certain trains, including the Lake Shore. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — Amtrak […]
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A dining car crew sets up for breakfast on the ‘Auto Train’ in 2012. Al DiCenso Q Having been a tipped employee, I know how important service and tips are to customers and employees alike. What would be an appropriate tip for average service for one guest in a roomette? What about tipping for meals […]
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The Southwest Chief Commission wants to use the Pueblo Union Station, pictured here in this July 28, 2013 view. Bob Johnston PUEBLO, Colo. — An Amtrak revenue and ridership study requested by the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission Fund projects that the […]
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An Amtrak Northeast Regional train departs downtown Richmond, Va. Chase Gunnoe RICHMOND, Va. — The state of Virginia’s Atlantic Gateway Project is getting a major funding boost. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced this week that the project has been selected as a recipient of a federal FASTLANE grant of $165 million. The federal grants will […]
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One of SEPTA’s Silverliner V transit vehicles at a station stop at Philadelphia’s 30th Street station. Joseph M. Calisi PHILADELPHIA — Typical rail commuters in the City of Brotherly Love are finding other ways to get on with their week while as many as one-third of all Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority regional commuter cars are […]
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After holding a preview and reception in the space on June 23, Amtrak this week opens its new Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago Union Station. The facility for sleeping-car and business-class passengers is twice the size of the 25-year-old lounge it replaces. Join Trains Associate Editor David Lassen for a tour of the facilities and work […]
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Strata-Domes and streamlined diesel locomotives highlight the HO scale Capitol Limited passenger train from Walthers. Each passenger car and locomotive is prototypically detailed. Both E unit diesels are powered and include SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoders. See and hear this magnificent passenger train as it makes a run along the Model Railroader […]
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Strata-Domes and streamlined diesel locomotives highlight the HO scale Capitol Limited passenger train from Walthers. Each passenger car and locomotive is prototypically detailed. Both E unit diesels are powered and include SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoders. See and hear this magnificent passenger train as it makes a run along the Model Railroader […]
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Desert Line Railroad route map San Diego Metropolitan Transit System SAN DIEGO — An agreement has been reached to pay for the reconstruction and operation of the 70-mile Desert Line railway in southeastern San Diego County that connects Mexico-based, but foreign-owned factories, to rail shipping in the United States. The landmark agreement between Pacific Imperial […]
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Rails reflect gold and yellow glints as a late afternoon sun bathes Metra’s Western Avenue yards with light in September 2013. Photo by Steve Sweeney […]
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Walthers HO scale Broadway Limited sleeper and observation car Walthers HO scale sleeper interior By the 1960s, many passenger trains had become shadows of their former selves, but one soldiered on, providing all-sleeping-car service as it had from the beginning of the 20th century, the Broadway Limited. Modelers who wish to replicate this train late […]
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New GoldLeaf dome car final designs as envisioned by a graphic artist. Passenger car and locomotive maker, Stadler, will build the cars for the Rocky Mountaineer land cruise trains in Switzerland and Germany. Rocky Mountaineer VANCOUVER, B.C. — Following an eight-year search, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours says it is commissioning European rail manufacturer Stadler to build […]
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