STB delays Watco’s acquisition of CN branches in Wisconsin, Michigan

Watco logo

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have indefinitely postponed Canadian National’s proposed sale of former Wisconsin Central branches to short line operator Watco. The Surface Transportation Board ordered Watco to respond to concerns that some shippers, shipper associations, and U.S. Rep Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., have raised about the sale of 650 miles of light density branches, including […]

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Former RailAmerica executive Jack Conser, 77, dies

Informal head and torso photo of man

Jack Franklin Conser of Boynton Beach, Fla, a retired senior vice president of RailAmerica, died at age 77 on April 10, 2021. Conser worked in the railroad industry for 42 years, beginning as a clerk for the Reading Co. in Williamsport, Pa., in 1961. From his hometown he went on to hold railroad positions in […]

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Digest: Aberdeen Carolina & Western, Savage combine on locomotive rebuilds

Two locomotives nose-to-nose

Aberdeen Carolina & Western rebuilds six locomotives for Savage North Carolina’s Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway and rail operations and logistics company Savage Services have combined to rebuild six locomotives for a Houston industrial facility. The four SD40-2 and two MP15 were rebuilt at the AC&W’s shops under the direction of Steven Weathers, the railroad’s […]

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Digest: Amtrak selects Siemens to build new intercity trainsets

White building with Siemens sign.

Amtrak selects Siemens to build replacements for Amfleet I cars, other aging equipment Amtrak has selected Siemens to build a fleet of 83 intercity trainsets for use on the Northeast Corridor, Palmetto, and various state-supported services. The selection of Siemens as the “preferred bidder” — which is currently building cars for use on state-supported trains […]

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Digest: Capitol Corridor memo expresses concern about Oakland ballpark plan

Artist's rendering of ballpark and large buildings along railroad tracks

Oakland ballpark plan creates grade crossing issues, memo says The head of the agency operating California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service has voiced concerns about grade-crossing issues new a proposed new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The Waterfront District Ballpark adjacent to Jack London Square will require stadium visitors to cross a busy Union Pacific line […]

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Rio Grande Caboose on the Georgetown Loop

Rio Grande Caboose on the Georgetown Loop

One of Colorado’s spectacular tourist railroads, the Georgetown Loop, has added a special passenger car to its offerings. One of the railroaders there made the restoration of a rare end-cupola Rio Grande caboose a mission. Now it’s back in service. We ride along! […]

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Rio Grande Caboose on the Georgetown Loop

Rio Grande Caboose on the Georgetown Loop

One of Colorado’s spectacular tourist railroads, the Georgetown Loop, has added a special passenger car to its offerings. One of the railroaders there made the restoration of a rare end-cupola Rio Grande caboose a mission. Now it’s back in service. We ride along! […]

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Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range: Locomotives

2-10-4 steam locomotive

All through April 2021, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history, heritage, and grit of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad. Please enjoy this photo gallery of DM&IR locomotives selected from the files of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. Only from Classic Trains! […]

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