Talgo, LA Metro sue each other over subway-car contract

Subway train in station

LOS ANGELES — Milwaukee-based rail equipment manufacturer Talgo and LA Metro are involved in dueling lawsuits over a cancelled contract to refurbish Los Angeles subway cars, with Talgo filing a $48.8 million countersuit Friday after Metro filed suit in September. City News Service reports the Metro suit claimed Talgo had defaultd on its contract and […]

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Illinois grain worker killed when Trackmobile is struck by train (updated)

Norfolk Southern logo

STONINGTON, Ill. — A 69-year-old worker at a grain elevator was killed and a Norfolk Southern train was derailed after a collision between the train and a Trackmobile on Friday. WAND-TV reports the employee of the Legacy Grain Cooperative was operating the railcar moving equipment when it crossed into the path of the oncoming NS […]

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Rail Passengers Association calls for federal review of Wolverine incident

Passenger train on straight track

WASHINGTON — The Rail Passenger Association is asking for an expedited federal review of the disastrous 19-hour trip of an Amtrak Wolverine train earlier this month — a 304-mile trip that should take less than six hours — and is asking to be allowed to observe that review when it takes place. That Oct. 7 […]

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Iowa City buys land for possible Amtrak station

Map showing rail line between Iowa City, Iowa, and Chicago

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa City City Council  has approved the purchase of three residential properties for the site of a possible Amtrak station, the Daily Iowan newspaper reports. The three parcels are being purchased for $475,000. They would provide the location for a station should Amtrak launch a long-discussed Chicago-Quad Cities passenger service, […]

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How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 4 – The Snake Track Job

David Popp and Jenny Maaske in front of a model railroad.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   MRVP’s David Popp and Jenny Maaske are set to show you that realistic model railroad operation has never been easier to learn and enjoy! Using Model Railroader magazine’s all-new HO scale Beer Line layout extension as their “gameboard,” the two team up […]

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Missouri DOT seeks $50 million to address grade crossing improvements

Aerial view of accident site with debris of truck hit by train

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The fatal collision and derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief appears to have spurred action by officials in Missouri to address grade-crossing safety. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking $50 million from the state’s general budget to address grade-crossing improvements. Currently, the state budgets about $1.5 […]

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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic cancels more trains because of trackside erosion

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad logo

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has had to cancel more excursion trains because of riverbank erosion along its route. All trains but the Cleveland Dinner and Event Train, which will operate on an abbreviated route, have been cancelled through Nov. 6. The dinner train will continue to run on Fridays through Oct. […]

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Amtrak, BNSF seek change of venue for some Southwest Chief suits

Aerial view of locomotives damaged in derailment

KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — Amtrak and BNSF have requested a change of venue for state lawsuits resulting from June’s fatal derailment of the Southwest Chief. KMIZ-TV reports the companies are asking that at least three suits be moved from Chariton County — site of the accident near Mendon, Mo., that killed four people — under a […]

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Metra awards contract for Homewood station renovation

Rendering of glass and concrete station structure

CHICAGO — Metra’s board of directors has awarded a $14.5 million contract to renovate its portion of the Metra Electric District station at Homewood, Ill., which has already seen significant improvements by Amtrak for its portion of the shared structure. The contract includes construction of a new headhouse, including an ADA-accessible ramp, platform renovation, improvements […]

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