Top five Southern Railway passenger trains

Steam locomotive with passenger train

The Southern Railway was famous for good-quality passenger service. Here are Classic Trains editors’ picks for the five best Southern trains. Crescent Introduced on April 26, 1925, the Crescent Limited ran between New Orleans, Mobile, Atlanta, Washington, and New York. The train was operated by the Louisville & Nashville, West Point Route, Southern, and Pennsylvania […]

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First Amtrak ALC-42 diesel locomotive set for release

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Siemens is putting the finishing touches on Amtrak’s first ALC-42 locomotive, with its departure scheduled for this weekend. The first locomotive, AMTK No. 300, will be hauled in the consist of Amtrak’s California Zephyr departing Emeryville on June 12, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. After arriving in […]

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Digest: Feds reinstate $929 million for California high speed rail

CAHSRA settlement reverses action of Trump administration The U.S. Department of Transportation has reached an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to reinstate $929 million in grant funds revoked by the Trump administration. The agreement, dated June 10, stipulates the return of the funds within three days. “This settlement agreement follows intensive negotiations […]

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Fun-size railroading

Rear of gas motor car

Fun-size railroading Buffalo Creek & Gauley motorcar B shows off rear door, two backup lights, and a coupler. The West Virginia short line connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Dundon. James R. Greene photo […]

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Grand Private Car Tour of the US set for September

Two-tone green dome passenger car in a wood scene at a station.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Tickets are still available for a scenic, luxury around-the-country private car tour this September. This 18-day multi-state tour starts in Chicago on September 9, ends in New York City on September 26, and is expected to be among the first post-pandemic private varnish tours offered to the public. It features long-distance train […]

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Brightline CEO urges more private investment in high speed rail

Brightline_WestPalm_Lassen

MIAMI — Brightline CEO Michael Reininger is more optimistic than ever about the prospects for high speed rail in the United States but wants to see more opportunities for the private sector to get involved. In building the Brightline Florida system, the company accessed private activity bonds, which are tax-exempt bonds issued by city or […]

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Analysis: Lengthened Crescent schedule diminishes its usefulness

Passenger train at station with "Atlanta" sign in foreground

ATLANTA — As of this week with its return to daily departures from New York and New Orleans, the schedule for Amtrak’s Crescent has been lengthened. This is “to improve customer satisfaction and on-time reliability,” according to a service change advistory. But the adjustments, especially for the northbound train, threaten historically strong patronage on the […]

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Digest: Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass with $299 special

Passenger train stops at station

Amtrak offering USA Rail Pass at $200 savings Amtrak is relaunching its USA Rail Pass by offering the 10-ride pass for $299 through June 22, a savings of $200 over the regular price. The electronic pass allows up to 10 segments of coach travel in a 30-day period; trips involving a connection will count for […]

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Digest: Florida county makes deal on crossing upgrades, ends suit against Brightline

Front of a black, white, and yello train

Indian River County ends Brightline lawsuit, reaches agreement on $31.6 million in crossing improvements Longtime Brightline opponent Indian River County, Fla., has agreed to drop its lawsuit against the passenger service over grade crossing improvements along the Florida East Coast rail line used by the passenger carrier. WPBF-TV reports the agreement calls for cooperative efforts […]

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