One of the fascinating aspects of being actively involved in firing and running steam locomotives was discovering that each one had its own personality. In the case of a class of engines, sometimes the entire group would demonstrate similar characteristics, but seemingly there would always be one or more in the class that were superior […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brightline West construction should begin within the next two months, a Nevada Department of Transportation official said today (Monday, Feb. 10, 2025). KLAS-TV reports that Eric Scheetz, Nevada DOT senior project manager, told a meeting of the NDOT board of directors that the agency must have proof that Brightline West has […]
Compared to their traditional reciprocating rod-driven counterparts, geared steam locomotives can be seen as “oddballs” to the casual eye. They certainly fit that bill with their unique styles of running gear consisting of cylinders positioned at different angles and connected to the drive shaft through a series of gears to ultimately power every wheel […]
SACRAMENTO — The start of California high speed rail operations between Bakersfield and Merced is unlikely to meet its current target, according to a new report from the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Office of Inspector General. The Authority, however, says such a pronouncement is premature. A report released Monday, Feb. 3, indicates that while […]
WASHINGTON — If you thought Federal Railroad Administration grant programs for things like passenger service, shortline track maintenance, and grade crossing elimination projects would be the least likely place to become a front in the culture wars, think again. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Jan. 29 issued a memo ordering Department of Transportation agencies to […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California state legislator has introduced a bill seeking to halt funding for California’s high speed rail project from the state’s greenhouse gas program and direct $1 billion annually to wildfire prevention and water projects. Assembly Bill 267 was introduced by Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare, Calif.) on Jan. 17. It calls for […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s rail-related spending — including billions of dollars in funding for Amtrak — appears to be affected by President Donald Trump’s order freezing spending on thousands of federal assistance programs. However, the freeze itself is now on hold following a ruling from a federal judge staying the order while […]
FRESNO, Calif. — Despite federal funding uncertainty, California High-Speed Rail Authority officials say they “remain committed and aggressive in moving this historic project forward while actively pursuing additional funding.” The authority made that assertion in a statement to Trains News Wire following a board of directors meeting Thursday (Jan. 23, 2025) at the authority’s Fresno […]
Grand Trunk Western steam provided a last look for many Midwest railfans. Despite having a large population with sizeable cities, Michigan has hovered just above the nation’s busy paths of commerce. Except for Detroit, the state tends to be out of sight, out of mind — no offense to Grand Rapids, the state’s […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian proposal for a high-frequency, passenger-only rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City, already moving at a languid pace, is facing new delays — and those could increase with the planned resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian Press reports that late last year, the federal government requested an extension […]
By 1935, it would have been sensible to consider the 4-4-2 Atlantic-type steam locomotive all but obsolete, at least insofar as new construction was concerned. In the U.S., the design could be traced back to the 1880s, and ultimately about 1,900 of the type were built. Its heydays were the years surrounding World War […]
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri joined local officials and workers just outside of Bakersfield on Monday, Jan. 6, to mark the start of track laying on a 22-mile stretch of the state high-speed project. The event — which included officials driving spikes into a ceremonial […]
