Steam photographer Mike Eagleson dies

three men standing and posing with tracks in background

GLEN RIDGE, N.J. – Famed steam photographer Michael A. Eagleson, who traveled the world in search of steam power as it retreated from service, died of complications of COVID-19 Jan. 6. He was in his late 70s. Eagleson was famous in the railway and steam locomotive enthusiast community, having traveled worldwide to witness and photograph […]

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Vermont depot set to move Jan. 12

small red brick train depot

NEW HAVEN, Vt. – The former Rutland Railroad depot in New Haven will begin the first leg of its journey to a new home in the city Jan. 12, the Addison County Independent reported. “Everything is looking good to go,” selectboard member Steve Dupoise told the Independent, noting that the town had obtained all the […]

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New York governor proposes expansion of transit service

Map of proposed transit line connecting Brooklyn and Queens, showing possible connections with other transit

NEW YORK – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Wednesday announced plans to move forward with the Interborough Express as part of her 2022 State of the State address. The Interborough Express project would use the existing right-of-way of the Bay Ridge Branch, a freight rail line that runs through Brooklyn and Queens, connecting the neighborhoods […]

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MBTA says Rockport commuter rail service restoration expected in May

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced that service over the single-track Gloucester drawbridge is expected to be restored by May 2022, allowing commuter rail service to resume to the Gloucester and Rockport stations. While construction of a replacement bridge continues, the disruption in service allowed MBTA opportunity to accelerate other projects planned […]

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Amtrak, Massachusetts seek conditions on CSX-Pan Am merger

Commuter train at station

WASHINGTON – Amtrak and Massachusetts transportation officials have asked federal regulators to impose conditions that would protect current and future passenger and commuter service in the Bay State as part of CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways. Their comments were among those filed yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board’s deadline for receiving briefs regarding […]

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Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway launches 2022 season

Lehigh_Gorge_Hartley

JIM THORPE, Pa. — The Reading & Northern has launched its 2022 season of Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway excursions from the borough of Jim Thorpe. Trains will operate from Jim Thorpe on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. for 70-minute route trips into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. The trains […]

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MBTA trolley refurbishment falls further behind schedule

Orange and white PCC trolley car on double track

BOSTON — A project to refurbish 1940s-vintage PCC trolley cars used on one Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority line is more than two years behind schedule, with the first of the cars now expected to be in service by the end of the winter, the Boston Globe reports. Eight cars are being updated in a $7.9 […]

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Vermont drops opposition to CSX-Pan Am merger

Red locomotives lead train along river

WASHINGTON – CSX Transportation has ironed out a wrinkle in its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways by reaching an agreement with Vermont Rail System and the Vermont Agency of Transportation. In exchange for a combination of new trackage rights, haulage rights, and interchange agreements, Vermont Rail System and Vermont transportation officials […]

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Durable roadbed for garden railroads

View of a garden railway

Durable roadbed for garden railroads, as a topic, developed for me after retirement. For many years, I was an “armchair” garden railroad enthusiast. With plenty of time on my hands I began focusing on building the railroad. Having more time did not make things easier because, being a rookie, I agonized over which method should […]

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Model Railroad Planning 2022

Model Railroad Planning 2022 cover

PLUS   Modeling a Mountain State coal hauler C&O and NYC’s jointly owned Nicholas, Fayette & Greenbrier From demolition to discovery Modeling an unknown part of a known ­prototype The “accidental” mushroom layout The rewards were well worth the extra effort Virginia & Truckee in the transition era A proto-freelanced HO track plan A compact […]

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Explosion damages CSX coal facility in Baltimore

Smoke rising from coal facility

BALTIMORE — No injuries have been reported after an explosion Thursday morning at a CSX coal silo in South Baltimore’s Curtis Bay. The facility sustained significant damage after the blast that residents reported feeling miles away. The explosion occurred about 11:30 a.m. The Baltimore Sun reports the explosion occurred on a conveyer belt and resulted […]

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DC Metrorail 7000-series cars again removed from service

WMATA (DC Metro) logo

WASHINGTON — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has again been ordered to remove Metrorail’s 7000-series railcars from service, after only a few had been restored to operation. The website DCist reports the independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission ordered the cars to be sidelined after it found five cars that did not meet the inspection […]

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