CHICAGO — Three suburban Chicago members of Metra’s board of directors have taken the unusual move of penning a newspaper opinion-editorial expressing their concern about the commuter railroad’s “dire” capital funding crisis and warning of potential service cuts. “Without a large infusion of funding from the state of Illinois, we likely will have to shrink […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Metra Milwaukee heritage unit draws former employees NEWSWIRE
No. 405 shows off its new Hiawatha nose logo at Grayslake, a detail left out of the first publicity photos shared by Metra. Jimmy Solum GRAYSLAKE, Ill. – When Metra train No. 2119 arrived at Grayslake on Thursday afternoon, it brought a little bit of railroad history with it — in two ways. Most prominent […]
Technology may be needed to help reduce grade crossing accidents NEWSWIRE
The number of incidents at grade crossings nationwide increased by nearly 3.6 percent in 2017, but new vehicle technology may be vital in reducing such incidents moving forward. An analysis of federal numbers reveals a majority of incidents happened at crossings equipped with either gates or flashing lights. While the data shows no single cause […]
Trains News Wire Round-up for Jan. 11, 2019 NEWSWIRE
Watch this week as Trains Editor Jim Wrinn and Associate Editor Steve Sweeney discuss the all the rail news that’s fit to publish this week, including: BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose’s statements on Precision Scheduled Railroading; good news for Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309; and a preview of moving Nashville, Chattanooga & St. […]
Transit agencies see little immediate effect from government shutdown NEWSWIRE
An inbound NJ Transit commuter train approaches Newark Broad Street Station with a Bombardier ALP-46 leading a string of new bilevels. If the federal government shutdown continues, the agency may need to draw on its line of credit to sustain regular operations. Brian Schmidt WASHINGTON – As the partial government shutdown drags on, worries grow […]
Watco positions itself for growth with major investment partner NEWSWIRE
A newly painted Ann Arbor Railroad locomotive literally waves the company flag at Toledo (Ohio) Train Day in 2018. The Ann Arbor is a recent Watco acquisition. Jack Stryker PITTSBURG, Kansas – Watco Cos. has formed a strategic partnership with an investment firm that will provide up to $450 million in capital. Officials with the […]
WRI to welcome Batory as keynote speaker in New Orleans NEWSWIRE
Ron Batory, Federal Railroad Administrator U.S. Department of Transportation NEW ORLEANS — Wheel Rail Interaction conference attendees will hear from one of railroading’s heavy hitters in June. Organizers for the annual rail engineering conference confirm that Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ron Batory will be the keynote speaker on June 20. “We’re excited that Mr. Batory […]
AAR: Oil, wood, grains, minerals, and metal ore carloads increase double-digits in 2019’s first week NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Wednesday reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 5. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 436,103 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.8 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the […]
C&OHS gets caboose NEWSWIRE
C&O caboose No. 903572 in active service on the Nicholas, Fayette & Greenbrier at Rainelle, W.Va., in May 1986. J.R. Kean photo, C&OHS collection CLIFTON FORGE, Va. – The non-profit Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society has taken delivery of its latest piece of full-size historic railroad equipment. Through a generous and much appreciated donation by […]
Kentucky steam group fired up over donations NEWSWIRE
RAVENNA, Ky. — Even before Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. members get an operational locomotive on site, they’re looking to make some steam. Specifically, the group expects to use a newly donated stationery boiler to pre-heat water in former Chesapeake & Ohio Kanawha 2-8-4 No. 2716 after they restore it in the group’s former CSX Transportation […]
Maryland & Delaware names Banks as new president NEWSWIRE
Cathrin S. Banks, Maryland & Delaware president Maryland & Delaware Delmarva Penninsula railroads Maryland & Delaware lines, shown in red. Maryland & Delaware website FEDERALSBURG, Md. — The Maryland & Delaware Railroad Co. is pleased to announce that Cathrin S. Banks has been promoted to company president as of Jan. 1. Banks previously served as […]
MBTA, FEC presentations part of NRC Conference final day NEWSWIRE
An outbound MBTA Green Line train is operating over the last street running segment used by revenue trains in Boston, between Brigham Circle and Heath Street, in January 2014. The agency will extend the line north and west from its current terminus at Lechmere into Somerville and Medford, Mass., on two branch lines. Tyler Trahan […]