Canadian high-speed project extends public consultation period

Logo of Canadian high speed company Alto

MONTREAL — Canada’s high-speed rail project has extended the public consultation process around its route selection to April 24, adding 27 days for public comment. Alto, the Crown corporation leading development of the Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City project, announced the extended consulation period today, which it said is because of “a high level of participation and sustained […]

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Canadian high-speed project facing opposition in choosing route

Map of area between Toronto and Quebec City

Canada’s Alto high-speed rail project, which is currently in the process of determining the exact route for the Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City project, is running into growing local opposition along its potential path. Farm organizations in Ontario and Quebec have called for the project to be paused for a more careful assessment, and open houses that are […]

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Trains recommended reading: The people behind the throttle

Engineer in cab of locomotive

Railroad engineers — or train drivers, as they are known to most of the world — are the focus of two of the articles in the latest installment of Trains.com’s occasional Recommended Reading feature. First up, we have this article from UK newspaper The Telegraph on a driver for the Caledonian Sleeper, the London-to-Scotland passenger […]

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California high speed project marks completion of railhead facility

New five-track rail yard surrounded by farmland. California high speed project marks completion of railhead facility.

WASCO, Calif. — In a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 3, California Gov. Gavin Newsom marked the completion of the Southern Railhead Facility for the California high-speed rail project. The rail yard at the 150-acre site in Kern County near the community of Wasco will be used to receive, store, and distribute materials for track construction […]

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Steam locomotive profile: 4-8-4 Northern

Northern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 2662

With the general speed-up of passenger train schedules in the 1920s, the need arose for a more powerful version of the 4-8-2. Although it had adequate adhesion, the 4-8-2 lacked the raw horsepower to accelerate a heavy train coming out of a sag or after rounding a curve. Lima Locomotive Works had shown the world […]

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Canadian high-speed project could require lengthy tunnel to reach Montreal

Map of area between Toronto and Quebec City

MONTREAL — Canada’s high-speed rail project could could involve the construction of lengthy tunnels in Montreal, the company responsible for the project says in a route description on its website — which could greatly increase the cost of the project. A tunnel could also be an option in Toronto. Alto, the Crown corporation that will […]

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Brightline West now aims for completion in late 2029

People lined up to tap spikes with hammers

LAS VEGAS — The completion date for the Brightline West high-speed rail project has been pushed back again, this time to late 2029. The company informed KVVU-TV of that date last week, but not did elaborate on reasons for the new estimate. It did say the project is in the “civil construction” phase, preparing the […]

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Steam locomotive profile: 2-6-6-2 Mallet

Rayonier articulated 2-6-6-2 locomotives. No. 120

In the 1890s, the Gotthard Railway in Switzerland operated the first Mallet locomotives. They were compound articulated locomotives developed by, and named for, Swiss engineer Anatole Mallet. A Mallet locomotive has two engines, which are independently mounted on an articulated frame. A high-pressure engine is located at the rear. Steam exhausted from it is conveyed […]

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Channel Tunnel service resumes, but delays, cancellations linger

LONDON — Rail service has resumed through the Channel Tunnel after a Tuesday shutdown, but delays continue today (Dec. 31) for trains packed with delayed travelers. The UK newspaper The Independent reports 30 Eurostar trains were cancelled Tuesday, and at least one that did operate arrived in Paris some 12 hours behind schedule. In all, […]

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California drops suit over cancellation of high-speed rail funding

New five-track rail yard surrounded by farmland. California high speed project marks completion of railhead facility.

SACRAMENTO — California has ended its lawsuit over $4 billion in grant funding cancelled by the Trump administration, Bloomberg reports, deciding it can no longer rely on help for the project from the federal government. “This action reflects the state’s assessment that the federal government is not a reliable, constructive, or trustworthy partner in advancing […]

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Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set

Color photo showing two modern streamlined locomotives and three passenger cars in red, white, and blue paint on white background.

Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Set, $799; separate-sale Business Class cars, $139 each Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set features: One powered direct-current locomotive with working, directional light-emitting-diode headlights and marker lights; operating ditch lights and number […]

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Canadian high-speed operation envisions up to 72 trains daily

Dark green high speed train in snowy landscape

MONTREAL — Internal documents of the company developing Canada’s planned high-speed rail route say the planned line between Toronto and Quebec City could see up to 72 trains per day. A Canadian Press report says the figure comes from draft versions of a 2023 technical briefing, which the news organization obtained through an access-to-information request. […]

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