Horns are typically placed near the middle of the locomotive to minimize noise to the crew. New Canadian National ET44AC No. 3062 shows off its Nathan K5HLR2. Chris Guss A horn is one of the many safety appliances installed on a locomotive and is used to warn both the general public and railroad employees while […]
Auxiliary power units can be installed in a variety of locations, but are typically installed in the rear of the long hood, like this one on a Montana Rail Link locomotive. Tom Danneman Idling locomotives have been a regular part of the railroad industry since the switch from steam to diesel in the 1950s. Locomotives […]
Northshore Mining SD40 No. 651 leads a quartet of locomotives and iron ore near Toimi, Minn., in December 2010. Cold temperatures that make metal contract and ice expand are just the start of problems in winter railroading. Max Medlin “People and metal do not like cold weather,” says Mike Smith, vice president of network operations […]
Beena Vision System’s TrainView inspects an entire freight train at speeds up to 60 mph at a testing facility in Pueblo, Colo. Beena Vision Systems Inc., Transportation Technology Center Inc. On BNSF Railway’s main line through Cajon Pass in California, poles and sensors pop up along the side of an S-curve. As a group, the […]
Bridge: A bridge comprising multiple span types crosses Swinomish Slough on BNSF Railway’s Anacortes Spur in Washington. Three photos, David Honan Q From the perspective of the railroads, what is the difference between bridges, trestles, and viaducts? – Ron Dutton, Los Angeles Viaduct: Union Pacific’s Joso Bridge carries the Ayer Subdivision over the Snake River […]
Trains Magazine 2017 Index trains_2017_index […]
Nickel Plate Road No. 765 inches closer to the platforms at Metra’s LaSalle Street Station in Chicago on June 17. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney This year, 2017, brought many chances to see big steam locomotives making excursions onto main lines. While it is too early in the operating season for most organizations to announce their operating […]
© Irochka | Dreamstime © Aleksandr Kiriak | Dreamstime ‘Tis the season for a toast to the year that has come and the year that lies ahead. To help you prepare for year-end celebrations, Trains News Wire has rounded up a partial list of U.S.-based railroad-themed brews to help celebrate — should you choose to […]
In this free, 40-page download, we explore some of the most complex railroad locations in the United States. With multiple tracks, rough terrain, and dense traffic, these spots make for some great train-watching locations. Download this free guide to read about: Horseshoe Curve, Conrail’s mountainous railroad with multiple track tunnels and steep grades The Chicago […]
CHICAGO — CN today announced it will acquire 200 new locomotives over the next three years from GE Transportation to accommodate future growth opportunities and drive operational efficiency across its system. The order includes Tier 4 ET44ACs and Tier 3 ES44ACs (Tier 4 certified) locomotives to be equipped with GE’s GoLINC Platform, Trip Optimizer System […]
In the depths of winter, train-watching can take on a whole new dimension, while railroad operations become more complicated. In this five-part series, we take you from the freezing temperatures of Alaska, to the Canadian tundra, to Wisconsin’s snowy terrain, with stories of how railroaders and rail fans have braved the elements. This free download […]
“Unique bridge: A Puget Sound landmark,” in the February 2018 Trains, tells the story of the Chambers Bay lift bridge, a one-of-a-kind “direct vertical lift bridge” designed by Joseph Strauss, who went on to become chief engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is located in Steilacoom, Wash., just south of Tacoma, on the […]
