CSX Transportation SD60M No. 8775 leads the James E. Strates Shows carnival train P-922 eastbound on the Philadelphia Subdivision through Elk Mills, Md. in May 2016. Michael S. Murray ORLANDO, Fla. — With the circus world reeling with the announcement that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is shutting down, carnival operator Strates Shows […]
BARABOO, Wis. – On Jan. 14, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced that its two touring shows will conclude in May 2017. The next day, Trains Magazine visited the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, where Ringling’s circus began. Editor Jim Wrinn talked with Executive Director Scott O’Donnell and Performance Director Dave SaLoutos. […]
The Burlington ‘Zephyr’ as seen in Aurora, Ill., on May 26, 1934. Its nonstop run may have included slow spots. CB&Q Q In 1934, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ran the Zephyr from Denver to Chicago nonstop. How did they do this without changing crews? Did they have crews on-board for each subdivision and change […]
SAN FRANCISCO — Transit managers at Caltrain are moving forward with plans to develop a new mobile ticketing app for use on the agency’s commuter rail system. Board members recently approved a contract in excess of $643,000 for creators at moovel Group, a mobile technology company, to design and implement the new fare technology. By […]
BOSTON — MBTA announced Thursday that it would not extend its contract with commuter rail operator Keolis beyond 2022. The announcement comes after months of complaints lodged at the operator for poor performances, particularly during winter, and losing millions of dollars. Keolis was first awarded the eight-year, $2.7 billion to operate MBTA’s commuter rail operations […]
CHICAGO — If you have yet to see this video posted to Facebook from Chicago’s ABC affiliate, please don’t throw a shoe at your screen. Someone with ABC posted a video recording of Metra crews standing near a diamond with one rail lit on fire. ABC’s original caption was: “WINTER IN CHICAGO! Setting the tracks […]
Join Assistant Editor Brian Schmidt for a look at BNSF Railway’s famed “Racetrack,” the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy main line between Chicago and Aurora, Ill. You’ll see fast freights along with Amtrak and Metra passenger moves along the triple-track speedway at the Naperville and Route 59 stations. For more Chicago railroading, be sure to […]
Join Assistant Editor Brian Schmidt for a look at BNSF Railway’s famed “Racetrack,” the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy main line between Chicago and Aurora, Ill. You’ll see fast freights along with Amtrak and Metra passenger moves along the triple-track speedway at the Naperville and Route 59 stations. For more Chicago railroading, be sure to […]
Extra tall fences (seen on the overpass in the background) often protect electrified lines from road debris. Michael S. Murray Q I have driven over the Northeast Corridor and have seen guardrails on the bridge get higher over the tracks themselves. Why is that? – Dan Wescott, Louisburg, N.C. A The primary reason higher barriers […]
An on-time eastbound Empire Builder pauses at Minot, N.D., for servicing on Aug. 20, 2014. Bob Johnston RUGBY, N.D. — Snow and ice are burying much of North Dakota this week, but Amtrak’s Empire Builder soldiers on. While national TV news and published reports recounted how thousands of flights were cancelled, trucks jackknifed all over […]
Marc Horovitz Passenger cars Gauge 1, 1:22.5-scale coach and combine Bachmann Trains 1400 East Erie Avenue Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $139 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com All plastic gauge-1 coach and combine; insulated metal wheelsets; truck-mounted working knuckle couplers; hook-and-loop couplers also supplied; track-powered interior lighting; interior details; sliding door on the combine Pros: Attractive passenger stock; good […]
Artwork from a booklet promoting the Milwaukee Road’s 1947 Olympian Hiawatha shows the interior of a 14-section “Touralux” sleeping car. Classic Trains coll. […]
