Three rail employees arrested in India rail disaster

Aerial view of collision site in India.

NEW DELHI — Three employees of Indian Railways have been arrested over the three-train collision in June that killed almost 300 people, Agence France-Presse reports. The country’s Central Bureau of Investigation said the men — two signal engineers and one technician — have charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and destruction of evidence. […]

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NTSB to investigate derailment of NS coal train in Virginia

National Transportation Safety Board logo

ELLISTON, Va. — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the derailment of a Norfolk Southern coal train Thursday night near Elliston, the Associated Press reports. The NTSB confirmed its investigation plans in a Twitter post this evening (July 7). Nineteen cars derailed but stayed upright in the incident, which came after the train crew […]

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Fully funded, new firebox work advances on PRR K4s No. 1361

Men discuss work on steam engine behind them

ALTOONA, Pa. — Work to construct a new $425,000 firebox for Pennsylvania Railroad Class K4s steam locomotive No. 1361 (PRR Juniata Shops, 1918) is moving along rapidly, with the inner wrapper sheets scheduled to be assembled late next month or in early September. The locomotive is in the midst of a $2.6 million restoration to […]

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How to keep N scale piggybacks on track

Nscaleinsightmarch20151_edited1

How to keep N scale piggybacks on track: My N scale Tehachapi Pass layout is set in 1985. Intermodal railroading was well established, but on nothing like the scale we see today. Most intermodal traffic in the pass was TOFC (trailer-on-flatcar), more commonly called “pigs,” short for piggybacks. For my money there’s nothing much less […]

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Visit a modern layout with a prewar feel

Visit a modern layout

Lifelong O gauge modeler Russ Boersma took his accumulated knowledge and roster of postwar and modern-era trains to develop a great new layout. While the trains might be up to date, the display has a fun and retro vibe. Check it out in the September-October 2023 issue! […]

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An autumn O gauge layout

autumn o gauge layout by Walt Urban

O gauge modeler Walt Urban created a medium-size three-rail empire with an autumn theme. Colorful trees on the mountains suggest fall has arrived along the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., with postwar and modern Lionel trains to enjoy in beautiful settings. See it in the September-October 2023 issue. […]

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VIA Rail Bombardier LRC diesel locomotives

Yellow-and-blue Bombardier LRC diesel locomotive in front of city skyline

Bombardier LRC diesel locomotives were built for the future using beloved Alco components of old.     “From the tip of its pointed nose to its electric tail-end markers, the LRC locomotive is refreshingly different, but at heart it is nothing more than a third-generation FPA,” wrote Greg McDonnell in the July 1983 issue of […]

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Federal government commits $6.88 billion to Hudson tunnel project

An Amtrak train emerges from the West Portal of the Hudson River tunnels.

WASHINGTON — The federal government has committed $6.88 billion to the Hudson River Tunnel project, the long-discussed additional connection between New York and New Jersey that will eventually double capacity into and out of New York’s Penn Station. News of the funding commitment was tucked somewhat innocuously into a Federal Transportation Administration press release announcing […]

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AAR sues to block Ohio crew-size law

Green end-cab switcher visible from distance inside industrial plant

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Association of American Railroads has filed suit to overturn an Ohio law requiring two-person crews for freight trains, saying federal law preempts the state action, the Associated Press reports. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court on June 29, argues that the state’s crew-size law “cannot be squared” with several federal […]

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Montreal light rail system to address noise complaints

Two light rail trains running on track in center divider of highway

MONTREAL — The builder of Montreal’s light rail system says it will take measures to reduce operating noise following complaints from residents along the yet-to-open line. CTV News reports that CDPQ Infra, contractor for the Réseau express métropolitain system, says it will install noise barriers and “sound absorbers” along the tracks, as well as grinding […]

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