Denver RTD officials are puzzled by more than 13% ridership drop NEWSWIRE

Denver_RTD

DENVER — The Regional Transportation District’s light-rail system has experienced a dramatic drop in ridership during the first five months of 2019, and RTD officials have no immediate explanation. Ridership was down 13.7% from January through May, compared with the same period a year earlier. RTD spokeswoman Paulette Tonilas told the Denver Post that the drop […]

Read More…

Update: D&RG steam locomotive restoration at Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad NEWSWIRE

Denver & Rio Grande No. 168 Scalf

Former Denver & Rio Grande 4-6-0 No. 168 awaits fabrication of the stainless-steel jacket before restoration can be completed. Thomas Scalf Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec made Denver & Rio Grande No. 168’s cab. Thomas Scalf Denver & Rio Grande 1883-built Baldwin 4-6-0 No. 168 is in final stages of restoration at Cumbres & […]

Read More…

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic works toward 2020 debut of rotary snowplow OY NEWSWIRE

Cubres and Toltec Scenic Snowplow OY

Stathi Pappas, Director of Special Projects for the C&TSR on snowplow OY: If this thing has 90 days of service on it since it was built in 1923, I’d be very surprised. We are very fortunate because there really isn’t a whole lot of work that really needs to be done to make it operable. Thomas […]

Read More…

Colorado Railroad Museum events celebrate 60th anniversary NEWSWIRE

Goose_ColoMuseum_Lassen

The Colorado Railroad Museum’s 60th anniversary celebration will include two days of rides on a Galloping Goose and two days of rides behind a steam locomotive. TRAINS: David Lassen GOLDEN, Colo. — The Colorado Railroad Museum will celebrate its 60th anniversary with events this Thursday through Sunday, July 11-14. Events include rides on a Galloping Goose […]

Read More…

Federal government blames Durango & Silverton for 2018 wildfire NEWSWIRE

DURANGO, Colo. – Federal prosecutors filed a lawsuit against the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on Tuesday accusing the popular Colorado tourist railroad of starting a massive wildfire last summer that burned for months and torched more than 53,000 acres. The government is seeking about $25 million from the D&SNG and its parent company, […]

Read More…

Pioneering Powder River Basin mine closes abruptly NEWSWIRE

BNS6771BelleAyr

Oklahoma Gas & Electric empties approach the four loading silos as the Belle Ayr Mine, then owned by Amax, on Dec. 21, 1976. Hol Wagner GILLETTE, Wyo. – Wyoming’s pioneering Belle Ayr mine southeast of Gillette has closed abruptly this week, following the bankruptcy filing of parent Blackjewel LLC in West Virginia. The company has […]

Read More…

Montana Rail Link gets $3.5 million federal grant for PTC

MRLLogo

MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana Rail Link has obtained a $3.5 million grant from the federal government to install positive train control on 600 miles of main line across Montana and Idaho. MRL spokesperson Ross Lane tells Trains News Wire that the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will […]

Read More…

Ask Trains: How can you ride behind the Big Boy?

BigBoy_0513_Granger_Franz

Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]

Read More…

You can comment on plan to build new line in Utah NEWSWIRE

SALT LAKE CITY — The Surface Transportation Board has initiated an environmental assessment of a proposed rail line to connect Utah’s Uinta Basin with the national network in what could become one of the largest railroad-building projects in a generation. The Uinta Basin Railway would connect South Myton Bench and Leland Bench, Utah with the […]

Read More…

Ask Trains: What route did Big Boys take to get to Union Pacific?

Big_Boy_Test_1_Wrinn

Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 on a test run in Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 2, 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: How were the Big Boys originally delivered to Union Pacific? — David Kuntz, Salt Lake City A: The exact original routings of the Big Boys have been lost to history, but we have […]

Read More…