Does the Amtrak Downeaster require two engineers to back up?

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Cody addresses the Amtrak Downeaster in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]

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Norfolk Southern Corporation profile

A black and white painted Norfolk Southern locomotive leads a train along NS tracks through a slightly foggy winter afternoon.

A Norfolk Southern train storms eastward through Otis, Indiana. Trains staff Read more Norfolk Southern articles on Trains‘ website. Norfolk Southern summary Norfolk Southern Corporation is a railroad holding company incorporated in Virginia. The company’s corporate headquarters are in Norfolk, Virginia. Operations headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS), a large […]

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How do you identify Australian reporting marks?

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How do identify Australian reporting marks Are there any books that show and identify Australian railway reporting marks? Using his resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on model railroading or full-size railroads? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of […]

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October on ex-Sacramento Northern Railway

an old train from Western Railway Museum

October on ex-Sacramento Northern Railway Each October, two former Key System bridge units operated by the Western Railway Museum become more than artifacts of 20th century transit. They regain their original role of moving crowds of people, quickly. The riders now are mostly kids and families visiting a trackside pumpkin patch, not commuters headed to […]

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What is an abandoned railroad?

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Abandoned railroads In railroad operations, what is an abandoned railroad? If a railroad abandons a part of its line, does it still physically own the right-of-way? But who owns the right away when the tracks go away? Using some online resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions […]

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Do restored steam locomotives incorporate any computer or modern technology into function and operations?

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Restored steam locomotives We are blessed with an abundance of steam locomotives that are in operating condition today. But do they use modern technology to function? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on model railroading or full-size railroads? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is […]

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What are composite ties?

composite tie

Composite ties Wood crossties have been part of railroading from the beginning and North American railroads still purchase and install 25 million new wood ties in a typical year. Although concrete ties, which appeared in the 1970s, are increasingly common wood supports 95% of North America’s track. But hovering around the fringes is a third […]

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BNSF’s Truxton Flyover: improving traffic flows on Southern Transcon

Train on bridge crossing over railroad tracks in desert landscape

BNSF’s Truxton Flyover project Truxton, Ariz., is not exactly one of the metropolitan centers of the American Southwest. “Population: very small,” says Craig Rasmussen, BNSF Railway assistant vice president, engineering services and structures. Officially, as of the 2020 census, 104 people live in the hamlet 42 miles northeast of Kingman, Ariz., on U.S. Route 66. […]

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