France to ban some short-haul flights in favor of rail alternative

French high speed trainset at station in Frankfurt, Germany

BRUSSELS — The European Commission has approved a French move to ban short-haul domestic flights on routes where rail service is available that takes less than 2½ hours. The move approved Friday will end flights between Paris Orly Airport and the cities of Nantes, Bordeaux, and Lyon, the Telegraph reports. That falls short of the […]

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Former Korean SW1001s to replace GE centercabs at Ontario freight car plant

Three white end-cab switchers outside industrial plant

HAMILTON, Ontario — After 68 years of service, National Steel Car’s venerable GE centercab switchers will soon be replaced by former Korail EMD SW1001s from National Railway Equipment. Freight car manufacturer National Steel Car has received three locomotives. Delivered as NREX 2109, 2114, and 2118, and are now numbered 8504, 8604, and 8704, all three […]

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British passenger equipment company files for insolvency protection

Silver, yellow, and green multiple-unit trainset in operation

SOUTHAM, England — Vivarail, the British passenger train re-manufacturing company majority-owned by Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp., has announced it is seeking the appointment of insolvency administrators via the British courts while efforts are made to find new investors or owners for the company. The process, similar to Chapter 11 protection in the USA, will allow […]

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Thieves in India steal a locomotive — one piece at a time

BEGUSARAI, India — Thieves in the state of Bihar stole an entire diesel locomotive, piece by piece, by digging a tunnel into a rail yard and removing parts from the unit awaiting repairs, police said last week. The Hindu newspaper reports three people were arrested and 13 sacks of locomotive parts were recovered at a […]

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New British government keeps spending on high speed rail, lets rail reforms slip

Construction site with rail line in distance

The British government, now with its third Prime Minister in 12 weeks, has confirmed it will continue to fund several major rail (and road) investment programs, as well as new nuclear power plants. Opponents of both sets of projects had hoped the high price tag might tempt the government to make immediate spending cuts. New […]

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Wabtec to acquire Brazilian maintenance equipment firm Super Metal

Rail-mounted excavator

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has reached agreement to acquire Super Metal, a leading Brazilian supplier of automated vehicles and other maintenance-of-way equipment. Wabtec describes the deal as complementing its 2021 acquisition of U.S. maintenance equipment manufacturer Nordco [see “Wabtec to acquire …,” Trains News Wire, March 23, 2021] and accelerating its strategy of expansion into international […]

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Permanent garden railroads you can visit

Closeup of large-scale steam locomotive passing by a village and florals.

From simple elevated loops to railroading empires through a floral oasis, consider these permanent large-scale displays and garden railroads you can visit: Both across the United States and around the world. Please note that the status of any location can change, which is why it’s recommended to contact prior to a planned visit. If you […]

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Swiss narrow gauge railway sets record for world’s longest passenger train

Very long red passenger train winding through mountains

After months of preparations, Swiss meter gauge rail company Rhätische Bahn/Rhaetian Railway (RhB) set a new world record for the longest passenger train Saturday, Oct. 29, with a 100-car special train, formed of 25 identical electric multiple-unit trainsets. The train ran on the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage ‘Albula/Bernina’ route from Preda to Bergün via its […]

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Sartrouville’s Pavilion announced by Minifer

Model of Sartrouville’s Pavilion

Sartrouville’s Pavilion Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $61 (price may vary based on exchange rate) Era: 1936+ Manufacturer: Minifer, 25 Bis Chemin du Roy, 41150 Veuzain Sur Loire, France; minifer.fr/en/ Sartrouville’s house features: Laser-cut cardboard kit Painted cardboard slate roof PDF color instructions Measures 3.93” x 4.13” x 4.72” Release date: Available now News & Products is […]

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British government seeks to restrict impact of rail strikes

British train stops next to worker at tower

LONDON — The British government announced plans in October to introduce a new law to restrict the impact of rail strikes — the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill — and it is now on the list of bills being worked on by the British Parliament. The law is intended to ensure that even during […]

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KCS de Mexico president to head Mexican rail association

Kansas City Southern de Mexico logo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oscar Del Cueto, president of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, has been appointed president of the Mexican Railroad Association (AMF) by unanimous vote of the association board of directors, KCS announced. It is his second term as president, following one in 2020-21. Del Cueto joined KCS de Mexico  in 2006 and […]

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