A Department of Defense train hauling a spent nuclear fuel cask in an undated photo. Association of American Railroad standards require use of electronically controlled pneumatic brakes on nuclear waste trains. U.S. Department of Energy WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads has long required electronically controlled pneumatic brakes on special trains that haul nuclear […]
Section: News Wire
Western Maryland Scenic says July 1 will be 1309’s debut NEWSWIRE
Western Maryland Scenic plans to debut former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 this year. Trains collection CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad officials surprised the railway preservation community today by announcing that tickets are on sale to ride behind Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 during the July 4th weekend. In a Wednesday […]
Museum supporters, historical society dig into campaign to preserve five Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives NEWSWIRE
No. 460 rests outside in November 2016. Robert Feeley STRASBURG, Pa. – The Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society have raised $114,000 as part of a $250,000 campaign to preserve five Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives. The locomotives are slated for display in a new roundhouse to […]
SP No. 2472, Golden Gate Railroad Museum collection to move NEWSWIRE
Southern Pacific P-8 No. 2472 Golden Gate Railroad Museum SONOMA, Calif. – The Golden Gate Railroad Museum is moving to a new home along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in the heart of California wine country. Earlier this month, the Golden Gate Railroad Museum and the NWP’s owner, the North Coast Railroad Authority, made an agreement […]
MBTA will not extend Keolis operating contract beyond 2022 NEWSWIRE
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 […]
ABC Chicago: Metra crews keep rails from freezing NEWSWIRE
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 […]
Genesee & Wyoming debuts new Providence & Worcester logo NEWSWIRE
New Providence & Worcester logo Genesee & Wyoming DARIEN, Conn. — The “i”s are dotted, the “t”s are crossed and the Providence & Worcester Railroad now has a new logo to mark its entry into the Genesee & Wyoming family of railroads. The Surface Transportation Board granted authority for G&W to buy the Class III […]
Donner Pass snows clog highways but delay trains little NEWSWIRE
Norden, Calif. Google Maps ROSEVILLE, Calif. — While snow and zero visibility shut down numerous highways, Union Pacific and Amtrak soldiered on over California’s Donner Pass this week. But now flooding is the threat as the forecast calls for heavy rain, some of it on several feet of snow. “In preparation of the coming weather […]
South Dakota short line re-opens former Milwaukee Road line NEWSWIRE
A Dakota Southern SD7 sits on rebuilt track at Chamberlain, S.D. Pat Malone CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — A shortline railroad is boosting its grain business after reopening more than 40 miles of main line in South Dakota. The Dakota Southern started hauling unit grain trains to the Wheat Growers Cooperative in Kennebec, S.D., earlier this harvest […]
Snows only slow Amtrak’s ‘Empire Builder’ NEWSWIRE
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 […]
Trains Top 10 stories for 2016: No. 3, RETURN OF THE 844 NEWSWIRE
Union Pacific 4-8-4 Northern-type No. 844 pictured at LaSalle, Colo., in 2009. The famed locomotive made a triumphant come back in 2016 after repairs and a 1,472-day overhaul. Bruce A. Daugherty WAUKESHA, Wis. — When Union Pacific 4-8-4 No. 844 returned to the rails under its own power this year, we were reminded of what […]
Ron Ziel, author of classic steam railroading volumes, dies at 77 NEWSWIRE
Ron Ziel as he appeared in 1975 for a wedding announcement. The announcement includes a note that he and his wife, Elizabeth McAtic, had no time for a real honeymoon since they were about to spend six weeks in Africa imaging steam locomotives. Ron Ziel IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Ron Ziel, whose book “The Twilight […]