BART, Metrolink line get major state grants NEWSWIRE

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A Metrolink train arrives at Burbank in January 2020. Metrolink and LA Metro have received $107 in state funding for improvements on the Antelope Valley Line. TRAINS: David Lassen SACRAMENTO — A $107.1 million award to Bay Area Rapid Transit, and another of $107.05 million to LA Metro and Metrolink, head the list of eight […]

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California High Speed Rail, LA Metro announce agreement on Union Station project NEWSWIRE

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Wednesday morning rail news: — The California High Speed Rail Authority has reached agreement with LA Metro on a preliminary funding plan for the Link Union Station project, which will make the landmark facility a through station for passenger trains rather than the current stub-end terminal. The memorandum of understanding reached on Tuesday to secure […]

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Video 101: Along the line

boy playing with a Lego train

We continually search for ways to encourage children to interact with the trains on Train Days at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (California). While it’s wise to keep the kids and adults at a safe distance from the live steam exhibit, the museum’s large collection of Brio train parts, the ride-on train in the […]

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Video 101: Along the line

boy playing with a Lego train

We continually search for ways to encourage children to interact with the trains on Train Days at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (California). While it’s wise to keep the kids and adults at a safe distance from the live steam exhibit, the museum’s large collection of Brio train parts, the ride-on train in the […]

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Engineer arrested after intentionally crashing locomotive at LA Harbor (updated)

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LOS ANGELES — In a bizarre incident at the Port of Los Angeles, the engineer of a Pacific Harbor Line locomotive has been arrested on suspicion of train wrecking after he reportedly derailed the locomotive intentionally on Tuesday in an effort to strike the hospital ship USNS Mercy. The South Bay Daily Breeze reports that […]

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Northern California museum restoring Climax locomotive NEWSWIRE

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The Roots of Motive Power museum is inspecting this 1922-built Climax locomotive to determine if it can be restored to operation. Kyle Stockman Holmes Eureka Lumber No. 4 during its operating career. Martin E. Hanson collection WILLITS, Calif. – A rare Climax locomotive is under restoration on the West Coast. Holmes Eureka Lumber No. 4, […]

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Tehachapi cab-forward

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Southern Pacific 4-8-8-2 cab-forward No. 4203 works hard in pusher service on Tehachapi Grade near Woodford, Calif., in August 1948. SP commissioned the specially designed locomotives to minimize crews’ exposure to tunnels in the lengthy tunnels and snowsheds on its system, a benefit that did not always apply to locomotives further back in the train. […]

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California rail agencies respond to shelter-in-place order NEWSWIRE

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San Diego’s Coaster commuter trains will cut from 11 to six daily round trips on Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen California intercity, commuter, and transit rail operations have begun adjusting to the state’s shelter-in-place order issued Thursday night by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. More changes can be expected. Here’s what […]

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Trains News Wire Digest for Thursday, March 19 NEWSWIRE

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A Thursday morning update on COVID-19-related transit and commuter rail changes in California: — The Altamont Corridor Express has suspended its pilot program offering Saturday service, is reducing train size as of today, and will suspend westbound Train 07 and eastbound Train 10 as of Monday. Details are available here. With much of the San […]

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Southern Pacific steam locomotive No. 1744 returns to California’s Niles Canyon Railway NEWSWIRE

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No. 1477 last operated in 2007 in Colorado, shown here on the Rio Grande Scenic near Alamosa. Jim Wrinn SUNOL, Calif. – The Pacific Locomotive Association has purchased Southern Pacific 2-6-0 No. 1744, which will be rebuilt for operation on the Niles Canyon Railway. The 1910 Baldwin-built Mogul-type locomotive operated for many years out of […]

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Siemens to update Calgary’s light rail fleet with new California-made models NEWSWIRE

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Siemens Mobility will continue to update Calgary’s current light rail vehicle fleet with 15 more S200 light rail vehicles. These vehicles will replace Siemens’ original U2 vehicles, most of which have been running for almost 40 years. “These U2 cars have been reliable workhorses that have more than exceeded their expected lifetime […]

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Metrolink F125 locomotives poised for full operation by summer

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LOS ANGELES – There’s a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel for Metrolink’s new Tier 4 F125 locomotive fleet. At a Saturday public meeting between railroad officials and residents of neighborhoods surrounding the carrier’s Central Maintenance Facility, Metrolink’s Neil Brown said that 32 of the new F125 locomotives are in service, 28 of […]

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