Metra to re-issue RFP for new railcars NEWSWIRE

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CHICAGO — After receiving only one response to its request for proposals for new coach cars, Metra said Wednesday it will issue a new RFP that it hopes will be more competitive and attract different, more modern designs. “I think we’ve had about 70 years of service from this design,” Metra Chairman Norm Carlson said […]

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Facebook could help revive former San Francisco Bay rail bridge NEWSWIRE

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A Google Maps 3D view shows a portion of the Dumbarton Rail Bridge, idle since 1982. Facebook is involved in efforts to revive the bridge for commuter rail service. Google Maps MENLO PARK, Calif. — Efforts to return the old Southern Pacific Dumbarton rail bridge crossing the southern part of San Francisco Bay to service […]

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Southern Pacific Extreme Trains at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum

Southern Pacific locomotive on model railroad

Mid-1950s Southern Pacific trains are featured in this edition of Extreme Trains: a 106 car mixed freight with three cab forward helpers; The City of San Francisco streamliner with Alco PAs; and a PFE refrigerator train with two cab forward locomotives. Video by Bill Rogers. […]

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Southern Pacific Extreme Trains at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum

Southern Pacific locomotive on model railroad

Mid-1950s Southern Pacific trains are featured in this edition of Extreme Trains: a 106 car mixed freight with three cab forward helpers; The City of San Francisco streamliner with Alco PAs; and a PFE refrigerator train with two cab forward locomotives. Video by Bill Rogers. […]

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California to fund improvements for ‘San Joaquins’, ACE, ‘Pacific Surfliner’ NEWSWIRE

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A southbound Pacific Surfliner nears the end of its trip to San Diego on Jan. 6, 2016. TRAINS: David Lassen SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The state of California has announced grants to help improve and expand passenger rail service to Sacramento, and on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, Calif. The Valley […]

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Layout Tour – Willoughby Line with Guy Cantwell

Model town of Willoughby

This HO scale masterpiece is a double-deck proto-lance 1950s-era layout built by Guy Cantwell that represents parts of California’s central valley, as well as the railroads that operated in the Sierra foothills and mountains. It features prototypes from the Southern Pacific, Western Pacific/Tidewater Southern, Sierra, Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley Railroad, and West Side Railroads. Most […]

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Layout Tour – Willoughby Line with Guy Cantwell

Model town of Willoughby

This HO scale masterpiece is a double-deck proto-lance 1950s-era layout built by Guy Cantwell that represents parts of California’s central valley, as well as the railroads that operated in the Sierra foothills and mountains. It features prototypes from the Southern Pacific, Western Pacific/Tidewater Southern, Sierra, Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley Railroad, and West Side Railroads. Most […]

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BNSF to lay quadruple track through California town NEWSWIRE

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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — BNSF Railway announced this week that its 2018 capital expenditure program in California will be approximately $230 million. This year’s plan in California includes several capacity expansion projects in addition to scheduled maintenance projects to ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable rail network. BNSF operates a 2,000-mile network […]

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Coast Mail at Guadalupe

Coast Mail at Guadalupe

Mt-4 SP 4360 detaches from #72 and picks up two carloads of strawberries in the yard at Guadalupe Calif., in April 1954. Because they were so delicate, strawberries were carried in express reefers on first-class trains. This video was filmed on the still-unscenicked section of my model railroad, which will eventually depict several areas of […]

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