Amtrak San Diego service has seen a gradual increase since startup. Amtrak operated two daily trains on the San Diego to Los Angeles route when it started service on May 1, 1971. The trains retained the San Diegan branding inherited from the Santa Fe, which continued to operate freight service over the line. […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s announcement of its results for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, heralds an overall ridership growth of 89% compared with the period from October 2020 to September 2021. The press release and accompanying report was issued Tuesday, just ahead of a public Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis on Dec. […]
South Korea “Amfleet” passenger cars: The former Budd Company was well-known for its signature, corrugated stainless steel style when designing passenger cars. Just by a glance, it is usually easy to spot a Budd car. When Amtrak came on the scene, the Budd’s Metroliner was used as the basis for the Amfleet I and II […]
Five tips for blending backgrounds: While scenery at the outside edge of a layout may pose some difficulties (see my story “Scenery on the edge” in Model Railroad Planning 2017), the back of the layout also has its challenges. The abrupt change in the model scene from horizontal to vertical at the backdrop demands we do […]
MONTREAL — Ed Harris, the most traveled Class I railroad operations chief, has come full circle. Harris on Monday was named chief operating officer at Canadian National, a job he held from 2005 to 2007. Harris also served as chief operating officer at Canadian Pacific from 2010 to 2011, at CSX Transportation from 2018 to […]
How to change a locomotive brake shoe: Probably the most important mechanical devices in railroading are the brakes. Whether they be on locomotives, freight cars or passenger cars, properly maintained brakes are a critical component for safe operations. Just like the brakes on your personal vehicle, the material composition on brake shoes wear out and […]
NOVI, Mich. — One of the four unions to vote down a tentative agreement with railroads is decrying President Joe Biden’s decision calling on Congress to impose that agreement and prevent a rail strike, continuing its call for paid sick leave while saying the move will not address rail service issues. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bernie […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — Just two of the nine cars from the Ringling Bros. circus train bought by the North Carolina Department of Transportation will survive after the state auctioned off the remaining equipment, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. Four of the cars were badly damaged by a fire in March and had to be […]
PORTER, Ind. — The agency overseeing South Shore Line commuter rail operation has approved a contract for engineering work to relocate the rail terminal at the South Bend International Airport, as well as design a new rail route into the airport. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, at […]
AURORA, Colo. — Full service on the Regional Transportation District’s light rail R Line, halted on a 4-mile segment since a Sept. 21 derailment, is slated to begin today (Tuesday, Nov. 29) at about 4 a.m. MST, the RTD said Monday. The RTD had previously said service would resume the week of Nov. 28, but […]
NEW YORK — The Federal Railroad Administration will grant a waiver allowing the Long Island Rail Road to open its route to the new Grand Central Madison terminal without installation of equipment to prevent Amtrak trains from inadvertently taking the wrong route, the New York Post reports. The move should allow the long-delayed terminal, some […]
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has placed tickets for its 2023 season on sale, launching a 15% off holiday sale that runs through Dec. 31. “Last year, we released tickets earlier than ever and our fans were delighted,” railroad president Scott Gibbs said in a press release. “… It makes for a very meaningful […]
