Wabtec seeks federal funding to help develop zero-emissions locomotives

Wabtec's FLXdrive locomotive

WASHINGTON — Wabtec CEO Rafael Santana asked Congress today to help fund a Freight Rail Innovation Institute that will develop zero-emissions locomotive technology to replace the diesel by 2030. “Wabtec’s goal is to develop the next generation of zero-emission locomotives. Wabtec has a clear path to power new locomotives – and repower existing locomotives – […]

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Industrial scenes, a restored steam locomotive, aged diesels, and other model railroad photos

A man on a small industrial shifter moving a tank car on narrow gauge tracks is dwarfed by surrounding industrial buildings

  Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. Send your photos (digital images 5 megapixels or larger) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612; or upload them to http://fileupload.kalmbach.com/contribute. For our photo submission guidelines, contact associate editor Steven Otte at sotte@mrmag.com. […]

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Heritage rail digest: Colebrookdale Railroad to offer ‘sensory friendly’ ride

Colebrookdale Railroad Logo

Colebrookdale Railroad to host ride for those with autism, other sensory sensitivities The Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyerstown, Pa., will host a “Sensory Friendly Saturday” train ride, specifically designed for those with autism or other sensory sensitivities, on March 27. The Sanatoga Post reports the event planned by the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. Features will include […]

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Deciphering the Baldwin Locomotive Works classification system

Baldwin 0-4-0T built for the Baltimore & Ohio in 1912.

History of the Baldwin classification system The Baldwin classification system originated in 1842, when Asa Whitney was a partner of M.W. Baldwin and continued in use until 1938. The system was based on use of a letter to designate the number of pairs of driving wheels on a steam locomotive. The letter A designated a […]

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News Photo: Metra on the South Shore

Metra cars in the South Shore yard

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District recently agreed to lease surplus gallery cars from Metra’s Electric District to meet the South Shore Line’s expanded service plans once its Double Track and West Lake extension projects are complete. [See “Digest: South Shore to lease gallery cars …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 26, 2021]. In the wake of that decision, […]

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Digest: Oregon commuter rail operation costs $108 per passenger, news report says

White multiple unit diesel passenger train on curve

Still more Tuesday morning rail news: News report says Oregon’s WES commuter rail now costs $108 per passenger to operate Portland, Ore.,-area commuter rail operation Westside Express Service, with already low ridership hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, now costs nearly $108 per passenger to operate — more than 10 times the figures for transit […]

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Remembering New York Central locomotives

A streamlined steam locomotive on a track.

All through January 2021, Classic Trains is celebrating the majestic and mystique of the New York Central. Please enjoy this photo gallery of NYC locomotives selected from the David P. Morgan Library at Kalmbach Media. Only from Classic Trains! […]

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Photo gallery of large-scale layouts at the 36th National Garden Railway Convention

Tennessee & Virginia Railroad Chris Bamburg

  The Nashville Garden Railway Society welcomes you to Nashville to attend the 36th National Garden Railway Convention! Nashville is a one-of-a-kind city that has something for everyone. High-tech meets small town, family values meets big business, country music meets symphony orchestra, micro-brewery meets vineyard. It’s all here! The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center […]

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Digest: South Shore to lease gallery cars from Metra

Bilevel, electric passenger rail cars on curve

Tuesday morning rail news:   South Shore to lease cars from Metra to handle planned service increase The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District will lease 26 bilevel gallery cars from Metra to handle the increased South Shore Line commuter service planned under the Double Track and West Lake Corridor expansion projects. The Times of Northwest Indiana […]

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Pennsylvania Railroad electric locomotives

Box-cab electric locomotive

The Pennsylvania Railroad is famed for its GG1 electric locomotives, but casual observers might be surprised to learn how extensive Pennsy’s electric operations were. After a tentative start with a limited D.C. third-rail system in the early 1900s, the PRR built an A.C. catenary empire between 1915 and 1938 — and fielded an impressive array […]

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