In every issue News p. 4 One railroad, three countries; Amtrak asks STB to intervene on Gulf Coast Brian Solomon p. 10 Reading about the Reading Bill Stephens p. 11 Y’all aboard? Preservation p. 44 Trains’ 2021-22 Preservation Partnership: Nashville Steam’s 4-8-4 No. 576 Train-Watching p. 46 Short line: Indiana Eastern Ask Trains p. 48 […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Siemens is putting the finishing touches on Amtrak’s first ALC-42 locomotive, with its departure scheduled for this weekend. The first locomotive, AMTK No. 300, will be hauled in the consist of Amtrak’s California Zephyr departing Emeryville on June 12, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. After arriving in […]
CAHSRA settlement reverses action of Trump administration The U.S. Department of Transportation has reached an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to reinstate $929 million in grant funds revoked by the Trump administration. The agreement, dated June 10, stipulates the return of the funds within three days. “This settlement agreement follows intensive negotiations […]
WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway say they have enough crews, power, and other resources to handle surging demand for rail traffic. CP and BNSF are the first two Class I railroads to respond to the Surface Transportation Board’s request for updates about their ability to meet demand. Citing rail service problems, STB Chairman Martin […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Tickets are still available for a scenic, luxury around-the-country private car tour this September. This 18-day multi-state tour starts in Chicago on September 9, ends in New York City on September 26, and is expected to be among the first post-pandemic private varnish tours offered to the public. It features long-distance train […]
NASHVILLE — Former Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis 4-8-4 No. 576 will get a big boost next week, thanks to two cranes that will suspend its 220,000 pounds about eight feet in the air. The locomotive’s wheels and trucks – the same ones made famous as a backdrop to a photograph of Johnny Cash on […]
Canadian Pacific’s campaign against Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern took a new turn today with a half-page ad in The Washington Post that featured an editorial cartoon-style illustration – complete with caricatures of the three railroads’ chief executives. CP and CN skirmished on social media while KCS was considering their rival bids. […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Trains and Special Interest Tours are still welcoming guests for an epic Rocky Mountain rail adventure this August and September. Guests on this Colorado and New Mexico rail tour will help the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad celebrate its 50th anniversary of operations with a meal aboard a narrow gauge dining car […]
First of new Metra schedules increase emphasis on off-peak service; more to come With ridership gradually increasing, Chicago’s Metra announced plans to add service on all lines in July and has released pilot schedules on four lines that will increase off-peak service. The new schedules, available here, are effective on the UP North, BNSF, and […]
Nomination of Feinberg as MTA chairwoman in jeopardy as legislators balk at plan New York legislators have indicated they will not vote on a proposal that would make Sarah Feinberg, the current interim president of New York City Transit, the new chairwoman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board. The New York Times reports the legislature […]
CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad board of directors has appointed Wesley Heinz as interim executive director and granted current director John Garner a 60-day sabbatical to address health and family concerns. Heinz is the current executive director of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland, Maine. He brings experience […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 5 remains well ahead of figures for the same week in 2020, although the gap is narrowing compared to the pandemic-related decline in business earlier in 2020. The latest Association of American Railroads statistics show U.S. railroads moved 227,497 carloads for the week, up 18.1%; […]
