Digest: CSX train derails in Nashville

No injuries reported as CSX train derails in Nashville Sixteen cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed early this morning in Nashville, Tenn., leading to a brief shelter-in-place order from authorities until it was determined there was no hazardous-material threat. A statement from CSX reports the derailment occurred about 3:07 a.m. CDT near West Due […]

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Bachmann announces limited-edition Amtrak Charger locomotive

Side of an Amtrak train

Bachmann Trains announced that it will be releasing a limited-edition HO scale ALC-42 Charger locomotive decorated as Amtrak no. 301, wearing the passenger carrier’s 50th anniversary “Day 1” paint scheme. The model, item no. 68303, will be available only by pre-order through Bachmann retailers. The ALC-42 will feature a dual-mode TCS WOWSound sound decoder with […]

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Hot spot: Alexandria Union Station

Hot spot: Alexandria Union Station map

LOCATION: Alexandria, Va.’s Union Station is located on King Street, and is about 8 miles south of Washington, D.C., on CSX Transportation’s main line between the Northeast and Florida. Passenger service is provided by both Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express. Highway access is provided by numerous surface streets including U.S. Route 1. The Washington-area Capital […]

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O gauge Amtrak station by Menards

amtrak station with people milling around

If you need a spot for your passengers to get on and off your trains, Menards has a new building for you. Its O gauge Amtrak Station occupies a footprint of approximately 12 x 8 inches. That size makes it perfect for almost any size railroad and particularly well suited for smaller ones. The single-story […]

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Digest: Dallas council approves light rail subway project

Map of proposed Dallas D2 subway line

Dallas City Council approves $1.7 billion ‘D2’ subway project The Dallas City Council has approved building a new light rail route through downtown including a subway section with three underground stations. WFAA-TV reports the council also said it would support Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s effort to obtain an $800 million Federal Transit Administration grant to […]

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Some states begin restoring Amtrak corridor frequencies; others continue planning (updated)

Passenger train passing through trees

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Anticipating rail travel demand comes with dual challenges: incur costs running trains with initial low patronage, or risk not providing enough options to build revenue and transportation relevance. Amtrak will begin restoring daily departures for its long-distance trains in late May, after receiving directives and $1.7 billion from Congress [see “As Amtrak […]

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Analysis: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast STB filing to test right of access

People boarding train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s 826-page petition to the Surface Transportation Board, filed last week, is the latest salvo in efforts to establish passenger trains on routes of railroads not currently hosting service. The STB’s eventual decision could have a significant impact on what investment is required for service expansion. The filing argues Amtrak has made good […]

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Digest: NJ Transit to launch customer rewards program

Commuter train approaching station

NJ Transit to introduce customer rewards program in April NJ Transit is introducing a customer rewards program where passengers will earn points toward purchase at participating local businesses. Customers will be able to join the NJT Rewards program through the NJ Transit mobile app beginning April 5. Points will be good for deals at participating […]

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