FRA gives environmental go-ahead for California segment of Brightline West

Illustration of high-speed Brightline West train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration last week provided environmental clearance for a Southern California section of the proposed Brightline West high speed rail line to Las Vegas, Nev., moving the project closer to construction. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the FRA determined there would be no significant environmental impacts for the 49-mile extension from […]

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Jack Burgess’ Yosemite Valley Railroad in HO scale

Jack Burgess’ Yosemite Valley Railroad in HO scale | Jack Burgess, a dedicated model railroad enthusiast, has masterfully recreated the Yosemite Valley Railroad, an iconic prototype railroad that operated in central California until 1947. Over the course of 31 years, Jack poured his heart into crafting an intricate and historically significant model railroad, capturing the […]

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Jack Burgess’ Yosemite Valley Railroad in HO scale

Jack Burgess’ Yosemite Valley Railroad in HO scale | Jack Burgess, a dedicated model railroad enthusiast, has masterfully recreated the Yosemite Valley Railroad, an iconic prototype railroad that operated in central California until 1947. Over the course of 31 years, Jack poured his heart into crafting an intricate and historically significant model railroad, capturing the […]

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Metrolink to extend Ventura County service to X Games site

Commuter train rounds curve

LOS ANGELES — Commuter rail operator Metrolink will extend service on its Ventura County Line to the site of the 2023 X Games during the extreme sports event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds July 21-23. Metroolink announced the additional service on Thursday. Normally, Metrolink trains terminate at the Ventura East station, but they will serve […]

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Surfliner, Metrolink to resume service though San Clemente July 17

Passenger train departs station, as seen from bridge

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Metrolink commuter rail service and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will resume operation through San Clemente on Monday, July 17, Metrolink and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency have announced. The announcement comes a day after the board of directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority, which has been overseeing work at a landslide […]

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Sierra Northern receives funding to expand hydrogen locomotive project

Blue, green, and gold locomotive with road-switcher design

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Transportation Authority will fund an initiative by Sierra Northern Railway to convert three additional diesel switchers to hydrogen power, the railroad has announced. The railroad will receive funding from the transportation authority’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Project through a public-private partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management […]

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Meet Nancy Norris

woman and boy watching man adjust live-steam locomotive model

What are some of your favorite parts of the hobby? Community is the best part of this hobby. I’ve been active in three California clubs, and now, in New England, I’m helping out with Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine garden railways. In 2007, after 10 years helping northern Californians build garden railways through my business, […]

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Morning at L.A. Union Station

20150710

Santa Fe F7 No. 311 prepares to depart Track 5 at Los Angeles Union Station with the first San Diegan of the day, while the Rock Island/Southern Pacific Golden State, just in from Chicago, stands on Track 4. William D. Middleton photo […]

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