Martinus Rail launches North American operations with Martinus Bottom Line

Logo of Martinus Bottom Line

DENVER — Martinus Rail Infrastructure, an Australian-owned company with operations in Australia, New Zealand, and South America, has launched Martinus North America Inc. with an agreement to acquire Bottom Line Co. of Lee’s Summit, Mo., a nationwide rail contractor specializing in track and bridge construction and maintenance, track safety, and emergency derailment services. The newly […]

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Metra Rock Island service disrupted by morning derailment

Commuter train on three-track line surrounded by tall buildings

CHICAGO — No injuries were reported when a Metra Rock Island District train derailed Monday morning as it approached LaSalle Street Station, halting service on the route to Joliet, Ill., for almost five hours. The Chicago Sun Times reports inbound train No. 704 derailed near 14th Street, less than a mile from its destination, about […]

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Tourist railroads in the Mountain West United States

black locomotive No. 93 with gray smoke

Mountain West tourist railroads you must visit include scenic railroads, a national historic site, and everything in between. From Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook, here’s our list of tourist railroads, museums, and displays to experience in the region. Mountain West Tourist Railroads and Museums Colorado Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – 479 Main Avenue, […]

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Approaching tropical storm leads to Amtrak, SunRail cancellations (updated)

Passenger train arrives at station with covered platform

ORLANDO, Fla. — Amtrak has cancelled or abbreviated routes for a number of trains in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Idalia, now approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast. Orlando-area commuter operator SunRail will also suspend operations as of Tuesday, Aug. 29, until further notice. Tri-Rail and Brightline operations in South Florida are not affected. […]

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Norfolk Southern system outage delays freight, passenger, and commuter trains (updated)

Norfolk Southern logo

ATLANTA — A technology glitch that affected several Norfolk Southern systems — including positive train control and its freight yard operating system — caused delays across the railroad today. “Earlier today, Norfolk Southern experienced a technology hardware outage that impacted some operations. At this time, we have no indication that this was a cybersecurity incident. […]

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Santa Fe No. 2926 steams again to local brewery for fundraiser

Large crowds around steam locomotive

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 2926 returned to the Tractor Brewing Wells Park for public display at the “Tracks, Tunes & Taps!” fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 26. “It performed as well as it could be expected,” said Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society […]

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News Photo: Montreal’s Exo testing long-awaited bilevel cars

Commuter train with bilevel cab car at station

MONTREAL — Montreal commuter rail operator Exo is stepping up testing of new but long-delayed rolling stock, built by China’s CRRC under a C$196 million order placed in 2017. A set of the new bilevel cars is shown en route to Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 26, after a stop at Montreal West. The first cars […]

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News & Products for the week of August 28th 2023

News & Products for the week of August 28th 2023   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 28th […]

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Union Pacific asks federal court to resolve CPKC trackage rights dispute

Aerial view of Kansas City Southern train passing grain elevators in Texas

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has asked a federal court to declare that the railroad has no obligation to handle Canadian Pacific Kansas City grain trains via trackage rights between Beaumont, Texas, and the ports of Houston and Galveston. UP, which filed the complaint on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of […]

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Analysis: Pin your high-speed hopes on 186-mph Brightline West project

Until Texas Central became a zombie company over the past couple of years, its plan to link Dallas and Houston with a fleet of Japanese bullet trains was the country’s best shot at finally getting true high-speed passenger rail. Texas Central’s concept — operate proven 205-mph Shinkansen trains on a dedicated right-of-way with no grade […]

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The return of the MTH RS11

side view of dark green diesel locomotive

The return of the MTH RS11: Making its first return to the MTH Premier Line since 2019, the Alco RS11 brings with it the grit and grind that we’ve come to love from Alco locomotives. From the unique angles on the frame to the cranking engine effects, this model will quickly become a favorite road […]

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