Operational audit of Western Maryland Scenic cites track and rolling stock concerns NEWSWIRE

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Workers install the drivers on No. 1309 in the front engine earlier this month. Tishia Boggs CUMBERLAND, Md. — An operations audit of Western Maryland Scenic Railroad cites issues with the railroad which could lead to speed restrictions or a shut down if they are not addressed over the next several years. According to an […]

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Western Maryland 1309’s front engine drivers installed NEWSWIRE

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No. 1309’s front engine got its wheels Tuesday. Tishia Boggs RIDGELEY, W.Va. — Western Maryland 2-6-6-2 No. 1309’s restoration moved forward as crews reunited the front engine with its six-coupled drivers. Crews with Diversified Rail Services, Inc., and Jason Sobczynski of Next Generation Rail Services were hard at work mounting the front engine with the […]

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White Pass to buy new locomotives, retire most shovel nose and Alco diesels NEWSWIRE

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White Pass & Yukon diesels like this shovel nose GE and Alco will be replaced with new units on a two for one basis. Jeff Mast SKAGWAY, Alaska — Officials at the three-foot gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway have hired National Railway Equipment, Mt. Vernon, Ill., to build two new diesel locomotives to be […]

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Nevada Northern ‘Star Train’ sells out a year in advance NEWSWIRE

EAST ELY, Nevada – Nevada Northern Railway President Mark Bassett says he’s “never seen anything like this.” A year before the railroad’s Great Basin Star Trains are expected to pull out of the depot, all 15 runs planned for 2020 have sold out and the final two runs this year, on Aug. 16 and Sept. […]

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No injuries after ‘Ward Kimball’ breakdown on Disneyland Railroad Sunday NEWSWIRE

The #Disneyland Railroad Ward Kimball train engine is still stuck on the trestle by Big Thunder Trail. @DisneylandToday pic.twitter.com/OBdLBA45Lh — LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) August 12, 2019 ANAHEIM, Calif. — No injuries were reported after a Disneyland Railroad train broke down on a trestle at Galaxy’s Edge Sunday afternoon, the Orange County Register reported.  A Disney-focused blog […]

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Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs D&RGW No. 315 photo excursion NEWSWIRE

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Photographers and videographers boarded a special Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad photographer’s excursion train in Antonito, Colo., on Aug. 3. The train with 56 participants made the 64-mile trip to Chama, N.M., in a vintage consist led by Denver & Rio Grande Western 2-8-0 No. 315. The consist was made up of D&RG boxcars Nos. […]

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Indiana tourist railroad seeks funds to resurrect another Lima-Hamilton diesel NEWSWIRE

Video taken in December 2013 by Trains Staff of Whitewater Valley Railroad No. 25. CONNERSVILLE, Ind. — Indiana tourist railroad Whitewater Valley Railroad has begun soliciting donations for the mechanical and cosmetic restoration of former ARMCO Steel Lima Diesel switcher No. 709. Whitewater Valley has a Facebook page dedicated to No. 709. Donations can be […]

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Conway Scenic names steam locomotive for founder NEWSWIRE

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Conway Scenic’s Dave Swirk with founder Dwight Smith and longtime employee George Small standing in front of 7470 after it was named for Dwight. Brian Solomon NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — On the Sunday, the 45th anniversary of Conway Scenic Railroad’s first revenue run, the railroad named steam locomotive No. 7470 after founder Dwight Smith. Conway […]

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Branson Scenic Railway purchases cars from Amtrak NEWSWIRE

BRANSON, Mo. – The Branson Scenic Railway has acquired three cars from Amtrak in its latest sale of retired equipment. They are Amtrak baggage cars 1204 and 1245, and dining car 8521. The two baggage cars were built by Budd in 1953 for Santa Fe as Nos. 3533 and 3534 respectively. They were assigned to […]

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Adirondack Scenic looks to build new maintenance shop NEWSWIRE

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Adirondack Scenic Railroad maintenance crews will not have to rely on a nearby bridge for protection from weather once their new facility is completed as they are in this undated photo. Dan Kittay UTICA, N.Y. — Adirondack Scenic Railroad say they hope to move into a new maintenance facility as soon as this winter, thanks […]

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Duluth plan would allow for preservation of tourist railroad NEWSWIRE

DULUTH, Minn. — A proposal released Monday by the city of Duluth would allow for the preservation of a tourist railroad which had faced the prospect of being shorted to accommodate a recreational trail. The Duluth News Tribune reports that the plan deals with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean-up of toxic waste at a former […]

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Ask Trains: When will C&O 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 steam again?

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Steam locomotive restoration specialist Gary Bensman cuts out staybolts for replacement on Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 in 2017. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: Can anyone provide a definitive status on whether Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 will be running in 2019? — Richard Eaton, Chevy Chase, Md. A: Railfans and railroad preservationists […]

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