A Milwaukee streetcar makes its way through downtown on the system’s opening weekend in November 2018. The system, “The Hop,” expects to have two extensions open by the time of the Democratic National Convention in July 2020, and is considering a third. TRAINS: David Lassen MILWAUKEE — The first extension of Milwaukee’s streetcar, The Hop, […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
NTSB to meet May 21 on fatal ‘Amtrak Cascades’ derailment NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a board meeting May 21, 2019, at 1 p.m. to determine the probable cause of the fatal Dec. 18, 2017, Amtrak Cascades accident near DuPont, Wash. Three passengers were killed and 65 others including passengers, crew, and occupants of highway vehicles were injured when Amtrak train No. […]
Train derail in downtown Baltimore, cars dangling from viaduct in news video NEWSWIRE
Video from WJZ Baltimore. BALTIMORE — Railroad crews are responding to a train derailment in downtown Baltimore late Friday afternoon. Early reports indicate that a freight train derailed several cars, including a tank car over a viaduct before entering an underpass or tunnel in the city. The train derailed near the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. The […]
UP updates customers on Midwest weather woes NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific has issued the following customer service advisory following a week of extreme weather in the Midwest. The troubles essentially close the railroad’s main line between Boone, Iowa, and Gibbon, Neb., a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. Announcement Number: CN2019-13 Categories: General Announcements Posted Date: March 14, […]
Switch heaters
A northbound BNSF coal train passes Coal Creek Junction, Wyo., in July 2008. Steve Glischinski Q The picture on page 42 of the March 2016 issue shows some interesting trackside equipment. It looks like they could be switch heater propane tanks, however, I don’t see any switches. – Bruce Bussert, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. A The […]
Amtrak, state add weekend trips for Michigan flower festival NEWSWIRE
HOLLAND, Mich. – See five million blooming tulips, not brake lights and toll booths, this May 4 and 11 when Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation offer additional service between Chicago and Holland for the annual Tulip Time Festival. These trains on the daily Pere Marquette route, sponsored by MDOT, will run on two […]
California awards grant for temporary Amtrak stop in Indio for music festivals NEWSWIRE
Indio, Calif. Google Maps PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Funding has been awarded to establish passenger rail service for two high-profile California music festivals. The Desert Sun newspaper reports that the California State Transportation Agency granted $5.9 million to fund temporary Amtrak service to Indio, Calif., to benefit those attending the Coachella Valley Music and Arts […]
DC METRO commutes interrupted for Bald Eagle rescue on Wednesday NEWSWIRE
WMATA via Twitter WASHINGTON — The rapid transit line in the nation’s capital was brought to a stand-still thanks to an unconventional, yet patriotic, rescue mission. Crews rescued an injured Bald Eagle found lying along the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rail line Wednesday afternoon. According to Metro’s Twitter account, the eagle was found near […]
NJ Transit board approves new maintenance, storage facility NEWSWIRE
A site plan for NJ Transit’s new maintenance and storage facility in New Brunswick, N.J. Courtesy NJ Transit A conceptual image of NJ Transit’s new service and inspection facility in New Brunswick, N.J. Courtesy NJ Transit NEWARK, N.J. — To Amtrak operating crews, it’s a 4.5-mile-long, underutilized freight yard complex; to commuters and regional travelers, it’s […]
NS freight train nearly hits house on Georgia tracks NEWSWIRE
A Norfolk Southern train stopped within feet of striking a modular home stuck on railroad tracks in Georgia on March 8. Phil Maton ATLANTA — Truck drivers in Georgia will now be routed around a troublesome railroad crossing, thanks to a near-collision last week between a Norfolk Southern freight train and a manufactured home stuck […]
N&W No. 611 to visit Strasburg Rail Road for four weeks
ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western Class J locomotive No. 611 will travel to Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road for four weekends of events in September and October. The Virginia Museum of Transportation and Strasburg will combine for events including an opportunity to ride behind the restored N&W 4-8-4, opportunities to operate and fire the locomotive, […]
Texas Central ramping up land acquisition efforts in bullet train project NEWSWIRE
HOUSTON — A high-speed rail project in Texas could see significant growth in the near future as land acquisition efforts by the developing company are ramped up. According to a Community Impact Newspaper report, Texas Central, the company undertaking the project, has acquired about 30 percent of the land parcels needed to support the land […]