WASHINGTON – The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature includes significant spending for rail-related projects through 2026, from grants to shore up short line track to a study of Class I railroads’ use of long trains. Amtrak will receive the lion’s share of the rail funding, some $66 billion that would address […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has become the third Class I railroad to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for workers, citing the Biden Administration’s executive order requiring vaccinations for federal contractors. “While we maintain the decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is a personal one — and have encouraged employees to make the decision that is […]
Duncan McRee of Tam Valley Depot has announced on his website he has lung cancer and will be retiring immediately to spend time working on his layout. “The rest of the family are going to still make Frog Juicers; Mono, Dual, Hex; Circuit Breakers and DCC Boosters. All other products are discontinued. Between Duncan leaving […]
Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of November 11, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD60M “tri-clops” diesel locomotive. […]
WATERBURY, Conn. — Metro-North Railroad has eliminated the last “dark territory” Manual Block System segment on its 271-mile commuter rail system, activating Centralized Traffic Control on its 27-mile branch between Devon and Waterbury. The system was activated at 6 a.m. on Nov. 7. After a weekend shutdown of the line for final testing, regular revenue passenger […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s third-quarter profits increased on the strength of higher intermodal, industrial products, and coal volume. The railroad’s operating income grew 12%, to $2.6 billion, as revenue increased 12%, to $5.5 billion, BNSF’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, reported on Saturday morning. The railroad’s operating ratio improved 0.2 points to 59.5% as […]
WASHINGTON — Major rail groups have applauded Friday’s passage of a major infrastructure bill by the U.S. House of Representatives which will include major funding for freight and passenger projects. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. The $1.2 trillion bill includes $550 billion in entirely new investments, the Washington Post […]
LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — Negotiations for purchase of the land needed to build a rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic and the surrounding area have begun, Transport Canada reports. The submission of the first offers is part of an ongoing process of rerouting the Canadian Pacific main line away from the community devastated by the 2013 derailment and […]
MADISON, Wis. — The Center for Railroad Photography & Art will acquire the collections of photographers Tom Gildersleeve and Gordon Glattenberg. The two Santa Clarita, Calif., residents, friends since 1963, are noted for color photography in the 1950s and 1960s, when most photographers were using black and white film. The Center notes their collections will […]
PALMETTO, Fla. — Pennsylvania-based Regional Rail LLC has signed an agreement to operate the short line at Port Manatee in Palmetto, Fla. The agreement runs through at least 2036 with options through 2051. The railroad, which began operation in 1970, includes more than 7 miles of track with a connection to CSX Transportation. It has […]
NOBLE, Okla. — An Oklahoma family has filed suit against BNSF Railway, saying the railway is at fault for the death of a family member, who died of a heart attack when emergency vehicles were unable to respond because a stopped train blocked the only entrance to their street. KFOR-TV reports Larry Gene Byrd died […]
WASHINGTON — The independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission has approved a plan for testing and returning DC Metrorail’s newest railcars to service, but the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will still face reduced levels of service through at least the remainder of November. The Washington Post reports the safety commission’s approval means Metro will begin […]
