Distinctive Canadian grain hoppers near end of the line

Cylindrical grain hopper cars off wheels, on ground

WELLAND, Ontario — The Canadian grain scene is starting to become a lot less cylindrical. For the last 50 years Canadian Wheat Board cylindrical covered hoppers have dominated Canadian rails as the main way prairie farmers moved large grain shipments to coastal ports for export. But with Canadian National and Canadian Pacific investing in new […]

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Fun-size railroading

Rear of gas motor car

Fun-size railroading Buffalo Creek & Gauley motorcar B shows off rear door, two backup lights, and a coupler. The West Virginia short line connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Dundon. James R. Greene photo […]

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News photos: CSX business train crosses Ohio and Indiana

Passenger train between two signals

UNION CITY, Ind. – The CSX Transportation business train is rolling west across Ohio and Indiana on Thursday, operating with a P001 train symbol. The newly-repainted train was spotted on the former Conrail (New York Central) “Bee Line” between Cleveland and Indianapolis at midday. A pair of modern ES44AC diesel locomotives is leading the two […]

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Build a large-scale, wooden freight car

A large-scale flatcar project

It’s been common practice for railroads to modify antiquated rolling stock to suit a particular need for Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment. An old flatcar no longer of use for main line service often became an asset for work trains. The flatcar could be repaired, lightly modified, and put into service looking much like it […]

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Scenic wonder

Interior of new railroad lounge car

Scenic wonder Curved windows along the edge of the roof give the Santa Fe’s Hi-Level lounges, a signature of the all-coach El Capitan, a bright, airy feeling. A smaller lounge-buffet is on the lower level. Budd Co. photo […]

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News report says debut of new Acelas will be delayed by a year

Train passing through station

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Debut of Amtrak’s next-generation Acela trains will be delayed by a year because of modifications needed to make the train compatible with Northeast Corridor infrastructure, the Washington Post reports. The first of the 28 new Alstom trainsets had been expected to enter service this year, but the debut is now projected for […]

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VIA Rail Canada annual meeting offers few forward-looking details

New blue, yellow, and silver locomotive

MONTREAL— Against a backdrop assuring continued service interruptions, VIA Rail Canada released its annual pre-recorded public meeting last week, with brief reports from Chairman Francoise Bertrand, President and CEO Cynthia Garneau, and Chief Financial Officer Marie-Claude Cardin. The meeting came as the Canada-U.S. border remains closed through at least June 21, Canadian vaccinations are lagging, […]

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