Watco opens expanded training facility in Alabama

Watco logo, new version as of 2022

FAIRFIELD, Ala. — Watco has completed expansion of its training center, the Safe Performance Center in Fairfield. The $3 million project including a new 11,000-square-foot building with classrooms, a conference room, and space for a locomotive simulator. The expansion of the original facility built in 2017 increases the number of individuals who can receive training […]

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General Electric Diesel-Electric Locomotives from SilverLake Images LLC

book on locomotives

Book: General Electric Diesel-Electric Locomotives Price: $35 Publisher: SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, P.O. Box 714, Harrison, NY 10528, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.com General Electric Diesel-Electric Locomotives contents: Reproductions of General Electric publications on its diesel-electric and turbine-electric locomotives, including: Diesel-Electric Industrial Locomotives 45-ton Diesel-Electric for Industrial Switching 65-ton Diesel-Electric for Industrial Switching GE 70-ton […]

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Great Northern class S-2 4-8-4 steam locomotive from Broadway Limited Imports

green, black and red locomotive

Great Northern class S-2 4-8-4 steam locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $869.99 Era: 1930s to 1950s Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports LLC, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, 386-673-8900, broadway-limited.com Brass-Hybrid Great Northern class S-2 4-8-4 steam locomotive features: Die-cast metal boiler, tender body, and chassis Synchronized puffing smoke with chuff sound Dual-mode Paragon4 […]

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Bachmann N scale streamlined Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive

black with yellow stripes Pennsy RR locomotive

Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive Scale: N (1:160) Price: $475 Era: 1940s to 1950s Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124, 215-533-1600, bachmanntrains.com Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive features: Dual-mode SoundTraxx Econami sound decoder Operating headlight and reverse light Directional Rule 17 lighting Die-cast metal boiler […]

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Foundation releases new proposal for Vancouver Island rail service

ENRDCsJohnston

VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Island Corridor Foundation, the non-profit organization which owns the former Esquimalt & Nanaimo rail line on Vancouver Island, has proposed a C$431 plan to for a commuter and freight rail service between Victoria and Courtenay, B.C. The Victoria Times Colonist reports the foundation is seeking government support for a business […]

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Delayed return of ‘Cascades’ to Canada shows Amtrak employment challenges: Analysis (updated)

Blue and silver road-switcher locomotive on passenger train

SEATTLE — In its determination to cut costs in 2020 and 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic sucker-punched its prized Northeast Corridor moneymakers, Amtrak management turned off the hiring pipeline while furloughing employees nationwide. But state-based decisions deferring resumption of regional round trips have exacerbated the situation, especially in efforts to hire operating personnel, as prospective […]

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Canadian rule changes seek to address train runaways

Two derailed locomotives and derailed hopper cars

OTTAWA — Transport Canada has announced regulatory revisions to address issues involving runaway trains and equipment. Changes to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules will set performance standards for locomotives equipped with rollaway protection, designed to automatically apply brakes when there is unintended movement; requirements before leaving a locomotive, such […]

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U.S. rail traffic decline continues in weekly statistics

Table showing weekly U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic figures remain below 2021 levels, although the degree of decline continues to vary significantly from week to week. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending May 14, show overall traffic down 5.4% compared to the corresponding week a year earlier. This follows a 3.5% decline […]

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Genesee & Wyoming christens new Gulf of Mexico rail ferry

Ship loaded with railcars at dock

MOBILE, Ala. —  With the sound of shattering glass and a big splash of champagne, Genesee & Wyoming short line CG Railway on Wednesday christened one of its new rail ferries that can haul up to 135 freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. Virginia Reeves, a 34-year G&W employee who works in corporate communications, […]

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