Human error considered likely cause of BART derailment

Two derailed cars of rapid-transit train in center divider of highway

ORINDA, Calif. — Bay Area Rapid Transit officials are looking at human error as the most likely cause of Monday’s derailment of a train that injured nine people, a member of the agency’s board of directors said Tuesday. Debora Allen said interviews of operating staff are continuing, but that the agency has largely ruled out […]

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Survey launched for Chicago Union Station customers

People in concourse of railroad station

CHICAGO — Two architectural design companies and Amtrak are soliciting input from people who frequent Chicago Union Station before embarking on a renovation project at the busy facility. The outreach is part of a process to determine the latest round of improvements being funded in part by a recent Federal-State Partnership grant [see “Chicago Union […]

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News & Products for the week of January 3rd 2024

A model factory structure

News & Products for the week of January 3rd 2024   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. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 3rd […]

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Wabash Railway history remembered

Blue-and-gray diesel locomotive on freight train of Wabash Railroad history

Wabash Railway history started with the Northern Cross, the first railroad in Illinois, in 1837.   The term “Fallen Flag” first appeared in Trains in 1974, as the title for a series of thumbnail histories of merged-away railroads. The series began with the Wabash, and employed the road’s flag emblem outline to illustrate the series’ […]

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Second section of Maya Train route opens; new fare structure announced

Pasenger train in shadows at station

CANCÚN, Mexico — The second section of Mexico’s Maya Train was launched on the last day of 2023, with public, albeit it “soft-launch” service, beginning on Monday, Jan. 1. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated the Cancun-Palenque segment on Dec. 31, accompanied by officials including Cancún’s mayor and the governor of the state of […]

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Montana Rail Link folded back into BNSF Railway

Blue and white locomotives on train in mountains covered with snow under blue skies

FORT WORTH, Texas — Montana Rail Link officially became a fallen flag on Jan. 1 when the regional railroad ceased operations and became BNSF Railway’s MRL Subdivision. Burlington Northern leased the former Northern Pacific main line from Jones Junction, Mont., to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1987. In January 2022 BNSF and MRL announced an agreement to […]

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European rail freight to see major changes in 2024

Green and gray diesel lcomotive with tank cars

Europe’s biggest rail freight companies are facing major challenges in 2024, despite efforts by politicians to encourage more freight movement by rail and less by road. In some countries, new ownership or new companies are challenging established operators and providing business opportunities for smaller companies. In most of Europe, the biggest rail freight company is […]

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Nine injured as BART train derails

Two derailed cars of rapid-transit train in center divider of highway

ORINDA, Calif. — Nine people were injured when a Bay Area Rapid Transit train derailed and caught fire today, the transit agency reports. None of the injuries were major, BART said in a press release, although all of those involved were transported to area hospitals for evaluation. The derailment occurred about 9 a.m. and involved […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for January 2024

black and yellow model train locomotive

Locomotives & rolling stock Menards has also released American Car & Foundry two-bay Center Flow covered hopper cars. Shown here is CN in a 1971 promotional paint scheme (2759230). The cars have die-cast couplers, navigate O-27 curves, and each is uniquely numbered. Cost: $34.99. Order from menards.com/trains Atlas O has announced new paint schemes for […]

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