SMS Rail, short line noted for Baldwins, hit by theft

Two green locomotives in industrial yard.

LOGAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — SMS Rail Service, the New Jersey short line celebrated for its continuing use of Baldwin locomotives, has been hit by scrap thieves who stole some $135,000 in parts from locomotives and railcars. NJ.com reports parts including high-voltage cables, motor cables, air brake equipment and brass wheel bearings were stolen from seven […]

Read More…

Congress gets an earful about railroad service

Man speaking while seated at microphone

WASHINGTON — A combination of Precision Scheduled Railroading and pressure from Wall Street has prompted railroads to slash costs and raise rates while providing less reliable service, rail shippers and labor told Congress on Tuesday. The House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee hearing was focused on the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board and how the […]

Read More…

Lionel Legacy Boston & Maine No. 801 SW8 locomotive

Lionel SW8 switcher locomotive

Lionel Legacy SW8 locomotive Lionel has released an SW8 switcher locomotive in its Legacy line. Classic Toy Trains editor Hal Miller gives you a first look at this engine, which is loaded with extra details like a fan-driven smoke unit, operating couplers, unique number boards, a bell, a single smokestack, two horns, and so much […]

Read More…

Amtrak to resume normal operations in Northeast on Monday

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak will resume normal operations on the Northeast Corridor as of Monday morning, March 7, the passenger railroad said in a Sunday evening announcement. Also, Maryland commuter rail agency MARC said it expected to operate a normal schedule on its route north of Baltimore to Perryville, Md. Amtrak operations between Washington, D.C., and […]

Read More…

Amtrak disruptions continue from coal-train derailment

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak service remains disrupted today (Sunday, March 6) on the Northeast Corridor as cleanup continues from the Saturday morning derailment of a Norfolk Southern coal train at Perryman, Md. As was the case Saturday, the passenger railroad is offering limited Acela service between New York and Washington, D.C., and limited Northeast Regional service […]

Read More…

NJ Transit study of ‘Princeton Dinky’ future narrows to two options

Two-car EMU trainset rounds curve

PRINCETON, N.J. — The nation’s shortest scheduled commuter rail line now has a 50-50 chance of remaining as it is. The Daily Princetonian reports that a study of possible options to replace “Princeton Dinky,” the 2.7-mile electrified NJ Transit line connecting the Princeton University campus to the Northeast Corridor, has reduced four potential options to […]

Read More…