Canadian legislation includes new rail security mandates

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA — The Canadian government would gain new abilities to require railroads to create security management systems, and to grant or cancel transportation security clearances, under a proposed set of legislative amendments introduced last week by Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra. Those authorities and others are part of the Strengthening the Port System and Railway […]

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Wabtec to acquire Brazilian maintenance equipment firm Super Metal

Rail-mounted excavator

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has reached agreement to acquire Super Metal, a leading Brazilian supplier of automated vehicles and other maintenance-of-way equipment. Wabtec describes the deal as complementing its 2021 acquisition of U.S. maintenance equipment manufacturer Nordco [see “Wabtec to acquire …,” Trains News Wire, March 23, 2021] and accelerating its strategy of expansion into international […]

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TSA appoints members to surface transportation security committee

U.S. Transportation Security Administration logo

WASHINGTON — Representatives of a broad range of rail industry interests are among the 25 voting members appointed to the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee, as announced last week by the Transportation Security Administration. The committee was established in 2019 to advise the TSA administrator on matters including recommendations for development and implementation of policies, […]

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Alco RSDs in Utah

Utah Railway Alco diesels at Soldier Summit

On the Utah Railway, three six-motor Alco diesels —RSD4 301, RSD5 306, and RSD4 302 — descend Soldier Summit with a loaded coal train in 1970. J. David Ingles photo […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains down

Weekly table showing U.S. rail traffic by carload type plus total intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was down for the week ending Nov. 12, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. The total of 490,350 carloads and intermodal units represented a 2.5% decrease from the corresponding week in 2021, with the 235,474 carloads representing a 0.2% drop while the 254,876 containers and trailers were […]

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Steamtown to close several buildings because of heating issues

Steam locomotive and tender on turntable

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Steamtown National Historic Site will close several buildings beginning today (Sunday, Nov. 20) to address mechanical issues with its heating system. These buildings will remain close until heat can be restored through temporary or long-term repairs, but the park will remain open and all scheduled events through December — including the […]

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How do I control a turnout with a slide switch?

A skewer is used to move a slide switch disguised as a switch stand to control a turnout

Q: I want to use Tony Koester’s method to control a turnout with a slide switch. Do you know if he powers the frog with this switch or just moves the points? If he powers the frog, how is it wired? – Don DeLay A: The technique to control a turnout with a slide switch […]

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CB&Q troop train departing Aurora

Burlington Route 2-8-2 in Aurora, Illinois

Burlington Route 2-8-2 5304 pulls out of the station at Aurora, Ill., 38 miles west of Chicago, with 22 empty standard Pullmans and troop sleepers in February 1946. The equipment is likely headed to the Pacific Coast for a load of demobilizing troops. Henry J. McCord photo […]

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10 tips for a better holiday toy train display

Model steam engine in Christmas scene

10 tips for a better holiday toy train display With the holidays on the way, we at Classic Toy Trains wanted to share ways to have a better holiday toy train display. Here are 10 tips from hobbyist David Smith. 1. Traditional O-27 tubular track allows for more varied track plans in a small space. […]

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