Sound Transit names interim CEO

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SEATTLE — Sound Transit has named Brooke Belman, the agency’s current chief of staff, to serve as acting CEO as of May 31. Belman will succeed Peter Rogoff, who will depart on that date, until a new permanent CEO is selected. Belman joined Sound Transit in 20024 and has served in roles including Deputy Executive […]

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Union Pacific engineering employee receives safety honor

Person in red coat and black shirt holding glass bowl

OMAHA, Neb. — Chicago-based track supervisor Lakish Vanzant has been named as the 2021 recipient of Union Pacific’s J.C. Kenefick Safety Award, the highest safety honor the company can award to an individual. Vanzant, honored for work in training, field-testing curriculum, and work-rule compliance intiatives, received the honor on Feb. 24 at the Union Pacific […]

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BNSF Railway reports record financial results for 2021

Coal train approaches with another visible in the distance

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway produced record profits in 2021 amid broad growth in traffic and revenue. For the year, BNSF’s operating income surged 13.7%, to $8.8 billion, as revenue rose 11.6%, to $22.5 billion, the railroad’s corporate parent, Berkshire Hathaway, reported on Saturday. The railroad’s operating ratio improved 0.7 points to a record 60.9%. […]

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How do you model locomotive terminals faithfully?

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Cody Grivno explains that by researching terminals in books, as well as images online, you should be able to get a good idea of how to re-create a building using accurate colors and more. Do you have questions about railroad facilities or do you like to learn more about adding them to your model railroad? […]

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How do you model locomotive terminals faithfullly?

Ask Trains logo

Cody Grivno explains that by researching terminals in books, as well as images online, you should be able to get a good idea of how to re-create a building using accurate colors and more. Do you have questions about railroad facilities or do you like to learn more about adding them to your model railroad? […]

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DOT report critical of railroads: PSR, rising rates, and mergers

Train yard

WASHINGTON – A U.S. DOT report critical of railroads discusses pandemic-related supply chain problems and cites concerns with Precision Scheduled Railroading, Class I railroad consolidation, and rising railroad rates. Among the recommendations in the 141-page report, released on Thursday in response to a Biden administration executive order issued a year ago: Increased regulation of freight […]

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What’s behind those doors?

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Cody Grivno explains what the two little doors on each side of the headlight on an F7 or F9 nose are. He also explains what the MU receptacles (behind the doors) are used for. Do you want to know more about the details on diesel locomotives? Or would you like more information about model railroading? […]

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East Broad Top sells out Winter Spectacular

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The East Broad Top Foundation posted a sold-out Winter Spectacular celebration Feb. 18-19, with 10 internal-combustion-powered trips over its restored main line between Rockhill Furnace and Colgate Grove and tours of the roundhouse and station archives. This year’s winter event built on the success of the Foundation’s first Winter Spectacular in […]

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Metra schedules station ‘safety blitzes’

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CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra announced it will hold Operation Lifesaver “Safety Blitzes” at 51 of its stations during 2022 as part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about safe behavior around trains and tracks. Each blitz will see Metra employees visit a station during the morning rush hour to distribute educational materials about […]

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Chicago suburban group aims to ‘stop’ CP-KCS merger

Commuter train arrives at two-story station

ITASCA, Ill. — Some two months after announcing plans to do so, eight western Chicago suburbs have formalized their formation of a coalition to address concerns over the impact of the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger. And while many communities along the routes of the CPKC, the company that would be formed by the merger, […]

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