News photos: ‘Poseidon’ helps CN fight Alberta fires

Canadian National has turned a flatcar, two tank cars, and a track maintenance vehicle into a firefighting train, dubbed "Poseidon," fighting Alberta widefires. CN

EVANSBURG, Alberta — A 10-mile stretch of Canadian National’s transcontinental main line about 65 miles west of Edmonton, Alta., continues to be surrounded by what has become the Yellowhead County wildfire, but trains are getting through the area in part because of CN firefighting equipment known as “Poseidon.” The compact fire train was fashioned out […]

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New plan released for redevelopment of Washington Union Station

Rendering of large open space at train station

WASHINGTON — A significant reduction in parking spaces — including elimination of above-ground parking and bus facilities — and a larger train hall are key features of a revised plan for redevelopment of Washington Union Station released Friday. The Washington Post reports the revised plan from the Federal Railroad Administration — developed after a two-year […]

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Pennsylvania legislature sees series of rail-regulation bills

The pennsylvania state seal

HARRISBURG, Pa. — While one wide-ranging bill has advanced out of a Pennsylvania House committee, four other bills aimed at regulating railroads in the state have also been introduced since the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, which also impacted Pennsylvania residents. The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown, Pa., reports none have yet been voted on by the state House […]

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Wrecking derricks

A black-painted steam wrecking crane lettered NN lifts a rust-colored snow plow blade

Wrecking derricks were once the kings of maintenance-of-way equipment, used mainly to move derailed rolling stock but also for such other heavy-lifting duties as bridge replacements. Today, when a derailment needs to be cleaned up, the work is often done by private contractors using bulldozer-like machines delivered to the wreck site by highway. But fifty […]

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Central California Traction’s rare genset diesel locomotives

A man looks inside the engine compartment of a red locomotive

Rare genset diesel locomotives South of Sacramento and north of Modesto lies Stockton, Calif., home to Central California Traction Company and its rare genset diesel locomotives. Built by Brookville Equipment Corp. of Pennsylvania in early 2015, the units, designated BL12CG, are powered by a pair of Cummins prime movers connected to EMD D78 traction motors […]

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Martinez Amtrak station remains closed

Aerial view of train at station

MARTINEZ, Calif. — The Amtrak station in Martinez, Calif., remains closed this weekend as a result of a mercury spill discovered on Monday, with the source of the spill still a mystery to authorities. KTVU-TV reports that Contra Costa County health officials said Friday they are making progress in cleaning up the spill, discovered by […]

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Dahlberg daisy

rocky landscape with flowers on garden railway

Common name: Dahlberg daisy, golden fleece Latin name: Thymophylla tenuiloba var. tenuiloba, syn. Dyssodia tenuiloba Plant type: Annual USDA Hardiness Zones: n/a Plant size: 6-12″ high and wide Cultural needs: Sunny, well drained, neutral or slightly acidic poor soil Delicate little annuals with lacy foliage and small yellow daisies soften the toughest rocks. Dahlberg daisy […]

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Mid-Continent Museum prepares for 60th Anniversary celebration

Diesel locomotive and heavyweight passenger cars

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum will mark its 60th anniversary with a day-long celebration on Saturday, May 27. Along with the museum’s regular 55-minute train ride aboard Delaware, Lackawanna & Western steel passenger coaches, the museum will also run a second train consist of its two wooden Copper Range Railroad passenger cars […]

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Special train, ceremony mark restoration of Trout Run Bridge

Passenger train with two Shay locomotives

CASS, W.Va. — West Virginia state dignitaries were among the passengers Friday on a special Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad train to dedicate the opening of the Trout Run Bridge and with it, reopening of the northernmost 15 miles of the former Chesapeake & Ohio Durbin route. Shay No. 5, West Virginia’s official state locomotive, […]

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Portal Bridge issues resolved, NJ Transit reports

Portal_Bridge_Johnston

KEARNY, N.J. — Repair work at the Portal Bridge has been completed, NJ Transit reports in an update on its website, ending signal issues that disrupted operations for Amtrak and the commuter agency since Thursday. The NJ Transit update says its trains are operating at or near normal schedules today (Saturday, May 13). Regular operations […]

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News photo: PA heads east

Blue and white vintage diesel locomotive

Restored Alco PA No. 190, after a week-long pause at Chicago’s Clearing Yard on its cross-country move from Portland, Ore., has resumed its trip to its new home with Genesee Valley Transportation. Photographer Bruce Stahl caught No. 190 eastbound Friday on a Norfolk Southern train west of South Bend, Ind., trailing four NS and BSNF […]

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Genesee & Wyoming opens new dispatching center (corrected)

Genesee & Wyoming logo

ST. ALBANS, Vt. — Genesee & Wyoming held a grand opening ceremony on Thursday for its American Rail Dispatching Center, from which the company dispatches movements on 100 railroads in 42 states. G&W announced plans for the 10,000-square-foot facility early in 2022 [see “Plans set for new Genesee & Wyoming dispatching center,” Trains News Wire, […]

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