Brightline West obtains $1 billion bond offering

Group of people pose for photo behind "Brightline West Groundbreaking" banner

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Trains News Wire has obtained an 1,160-page “Limited Remarketing Memorandum” issued earlier this month announcing the $1 billion availability of bonds by California and Nevada authorities. The financing is part of Brightline West’s quest to secure operating capital for its proposed 218-mile high speed venture between Las Vegas, Nev., and Southern […]

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Young Guns in Preservation: David Weston

man in conductor uniform leaning on a wooden fence

As a teacher in Oklahoma, the sharing and showcasing of history is nonstop for 25-year-old David Weston. This includes serving as a seasonal conductor for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad during the summer break, while also documenting the life and times along the narrow gauge line through Instagram with approximately 45,000 followers digitally going […]

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News photos: Big Boy on the road in Nevada and California

Steam locomotive and short train in desert passing below camera location. Elrond Lawrence photo

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 has reached the westernmost point of its current tour, beginning the first of two days of public display today in Roseville. Information on the display is available here. Here are a few images catching up on recent days of the “Westward Bound” tour, with Elrond Lawrence […]

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Concrete tie maker to open plant in North Las Vegas

Logo of PCM Railone AG

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A German manufacturer of concrete railroad ties will open a factory in North Las Vegas to help supply the Brightline West project, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. PCM Railone AG, which production facilities in 12 countries, specializes in track systems and concrete ties for projects that go 186 mph or […]

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Nevada Northern Railway | Be the Engineer insights

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to run a steam locomotive?  Well, you can!  Come with us as Trains.com visits the Nevada Northern Railway for their “Be the Engineer” program, where trained crews will teach you how to run a steam locomotive.  This short clip is from our feature-length “Introduction to Steam Locomotives: How They Work” […]

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Olli’s Railroad in large scale

Facts and features   Name: Olli’s RailroadScale: large scale (1:29)Size: 20 x 430 feetPrototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Burlington NorthernLocale: American WestEra: 1970s and 1980sStyle: walkaround gardenMainline run: 850 feetMinimum radius: 7 feetMinimum turnout: LGB R5 (main), LGB R3 (industrial area)Maximum grade: 1.2%Benchwork: welded steel framework backfilled with earthHeight: 19″ to 38″Roadbed: noneTrack: […]

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The On30 Southern Pacific Keeler Branch

A model railroad layout track plan

Facts and features   Name: Southern Pacific Keeler BranchScale: On30 (1:48 proportion, 30″ narrow gauge, also called On21⁄2)Size: 6 x 17 feetPrototype: SP narrow gaugeLocale: Owens Valley, CaliforniaEra: 1950sStyle: sectionalMainline run: 36 feetMinimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open grid Height: 50″Roadbed: 1 x 4 clear pineTrack: Micro Engineering code 83Scenery: sifted, demagnetized […]

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