Altoona museum saves 1939 World’s Fair yard floodlights

Photo of details at top of light tower in Altoona

ALTOONA, Pa. — A trio of aging 100-foot-tall yard floodlights that once illuminated the railroad exhibit at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair is finding a new home here at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Fabricated with a three-legged cross-section, the towers were among at least four built for the 17-acre railroad grounds, which, in addition […]

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Siemens debuts first Amtrak Airo passenger car

Passenger car with two-tone blue paint scheme inside building

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Siemens Mobility and Amtrak have unveiled a prototype of the first car for the new Amtrak Airo equipment at the builder’s Sacramento, Calif. The Wednesday event provided the first look at the equipment to be provided in 83 fixed trainsets, the first of which is scheduled to enter service in 2026. The […]

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CPKC announces schedules for Holiday Train, Holiday Express

Train decorated with Christmas lights stopped near station at night

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced the schedule and lineup for the 25th annual Holiday Train begun by Canadian Pacific, which this year will expand its route to visit a number of communities on the former Kansas City Southern. Meanwhile, the Holiday Express train formerly operated by KCS will also visit 20 locations […]

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Stadler, California sign deal for hydrogen trainsets

Illustration of multiple-unit passenger train operating along California coast

SALT LAKE CITY — Rail equipment manufacturer Stadler and the state of California on Thursday signed a contract calling for Stadler to build four hydrogen-powered trainsets for use in the state, with an option for up to 25 more trains. The contract signed Thursday formalizes an agreement announced as a “memorandum of understanding” in September […]

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Virgin Group wins lawsuit against Brightline in British court

High speed passenger train at station.

LONDON — Virgin Group has come out on top in its legal battle over Brightline Holdings LLC in a United Kingdom court judgment. This comes after a $115 million [originally reported to be $250 million] lawsuit was filed by Virgin over the Brightline’s exit from its 20-year partnership in the Virgin Trains USA branding that […]

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How to store diesel locomotives in North America

Yellow diesel locomotives parked together in a line.

How to store diesel locomotives: The changing traffic levels of a railroad can affect the number of locomotives it operates. Outside of the effects of Precision Scheduled Railroading, which significantly reduces how many locomotives are needed, other factors such as losing a major contract to haul goods or the end of a cyclical demand, like […]

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FTA offers almost $200 million for railcar replacement

White and blue locomotive pushing commuter train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration announced Wednesday announced the availability of $197 million to replace aging railcars on subway, light rail, commuter rail, and other systems under the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, funded under the $1.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The agency says older cars contribute to service delays and increase costs, and many […]

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Kansas requirement for two-person crews takes effect

TOPEKA, Kan. — The state of Kansas on Wednesday enacted rules requiring two-person crew for freight trains, but the new administrative action could be challenged in court. Gov. Laura Kelly said in a press release that the new requirement “will protect workers from the effects of fatigue, prevent train derailments, and reduce risks in the […]

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Stadler hydrogen trainset makes debut in Florida

Front view of blue and white passenger train equipment

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stadler’s FLIRT H2 trainset, the hydrogen-powered commuter-rail equipment set to debut next year in Southern California, has made its first U.S. debut this week at the APTA Expo in Orlando, the American Public Transportation Association’s annual conference. The train will eventually join three Stadler FLIRT diesel multiple-unit trainsets on the San Bernardino […]

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