Senate confirms Fernandez to head FTA The U.S. Senate has confirmed appointment of Nuria Fernandez as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, becoming the first confirmed administrator in more than a decade and the first Senate-confirmed woman of color to lead the agency. “I am humbled and extremely grateful for the confidence bestowed upon me […]
If you believe the storyline, Precision Scheduled Railroading has two chapters. The first is an obsession with costs and efficiency that ultimately results in a railroad that moves its tonnage with far fewer locomotives, freight cars, shops, yards, and people. The second chapter is the so-called Pivot to Growth, in which the lean-and-mean railroad uses […]
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 June 17, 2021. HO scale freight cars General American Tank Car welded […]
MBTA commuter train to offer walk-up COVID vaccinations The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will operate a commuter train offering COVID-19 vaccinations June 16-20 at stations in Boston, Worchester, Lowell, Lawrence, and Fitchburg, Mass. The Boston Globe reports the “Vax Express” will offer walk-up vaccination; while no appointment is required, residents may book a time slot […]
WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway say they have enough crews, power, and other resources to handle surging demand for rail traffic. CP and BNSF are the first two Class I railroads to respond to the Surface Transportation Board’s request for updates about their ability to meet demand. Citing rail service problems, STB Chairman Martin […]
WASHINGTON — The trade association representing chemical shippers has asked federal regulators to put CSX Transportation under increased scrutiny due to what one company called an “operations meltdown.” Members of the American Chemistry Council reported “significant and persistent” railroad service problems, particularly with CSX. But Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern also were cited for […]
ATLANTA — As of this week with its return to daily departures from New York and New Orleans, the schedule for Amtrak’s Crescent has been lengthened. This is “to improve customer satisfaction and on-time reliability,” according to a service change advistory. But the adjustments, especially for the northbound train, threaten historically strong patronage on the […]
The year 2020 was not a good one for tourist railroads. The COVID-19 pandemic closed some lines and forced others to run at greatly reduced capacities. Amazingly, there have been few casualties among the well-established ranks of U.S. tourist railroads. Let’s look at how one immensely popular scenic railroad made it through. John Smith, president […]
Death toll in Pakistan rail accident at least 56 The death toll in Monday’s crash of two passenger trains in Pakistan has risen to at least 56, the Associated Press reports, although some news organizations are reporting a higher figure. Another 23 passengers are still being treated for injuries. The accident occurred when several cars […]
ALTOONA, Pa. — A westbound Norfolk Southern intermodal train has derailed near Horseshoe curve, leading authorities to ask the public to stay away from the area. Photographer D. Collin Reinhart reports the derailment of westbound train 21G occurred Monday afternoon on Main 2 in the area of Allegrippus Curve, blocking all three tracks, and only […]
HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC diesel locomotive. Canadian Pacific (red and black), CIT Group (blue and black), Indiana Rail Road (red and white in two road numbers, 25th anniversary scheme in one number), Norfolk Southern (Primed for Grime series Union Pacific patchouts), and Union Pacific (Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray, 3470-3775 series units […]
General Electric’s 4,400 hp C44-9Ws were, by far, the most popular D.C. traction locomotives the company every produced, with almost 3,600 copies built for North American customers. Sales began in the early 1990s just as A.C. traction was taking hold in the industry. Many railroads were still either wary of the new A.C. technology and […]
