CPKC unveils new locomotive livery

KANSAS CITY — Canadian Pacific Kansas City unveiled its new locomotive livery today after tallying the results of employee voting on five potential designs. The winning choice — selected by 40% of the more than 5,327 employees who participated in the online survey — was option one. In a separate vote of shareholders at the […]

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News photos: CPKC derailment in Iowa

Aerial view of derailment at yard

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Clean-up is under way after 21 cars of a CPKC train derailed Tuesday evening at Nahant Yard in Davenport, Iowa. A CPKC representative reports 21 cars derailed in a slow-speed incident; no injuries or spills of hazardous materials occured. Three cars involved were carrying liquid asphalt but did not leak any of […]

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Better as a model: The Lionel turbine locomotive

The Lionel turbine locomotive No. 671

The Lionel turbine locomotive has gone down in history as one of the model maker’s iconic products. From its success, reputation as a great runner, and longevity, you’d think the locomotive it’s based on was one of the greatest of all time. It wasn’t. The Pennsylvania RR S2 Lionel’s 6-8-6 is based on the Class […]

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More than 20 rail-related projects included in RAISE grant awards

Rendering of mixed-use development next to railroad track

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — More than 20 rail-related applicants — ranging from grade-crossing separation studies to a small piece of the Gateway Tunnel to funding for high-speed rail stations in California — are among the 162 projects to receive Department of Transportation grant funding announced today (Wednesday, June 28) under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability […]

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Amtrak’s California day-trip services

Passenger train running along beach

California can lay claim as one of the nation’s top rail passenger capitals. Amtrak is a key player in the Golden State, with three state-supported regional trains connecting multiple metropolitan areas. From the capital city of Sacramento to the beaches in San Diego, here are some great Amtrak day trips you can take in California. […]

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Meridian & Bigbee Railroad history

Black Meridian & Bigbee Railroad diesel locomotive passing small wooden station

The Meridian & Bigbee Railroad “possessed all the credentials required for admittance to the Typical Southern Short Line Club,” wrote J. Parker Lamb in Trains’ July 1959 issue. Those included secondhand steam locomotives, a leisurely schedule, and insufficient revenue tonnage. Yet, the road was able to overcome those deficiencies to become a sought-after bridge route […]

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Illinois tourist railroads you must visit

Four locomotives lined up outside shop building

Four EMD products are lined up at the Illinois Railway Museum – one of many Illinois tourist railroads you must visit: Chicago & North Western F7A No. 411; Amtrak AEM-7 No. 945; Santa Fe FP45 No. 92; and Canadian Pacific SD40-2F No. 9023. The first three are from the IRM collection; the ex-Central Maine & […]

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Northwest Railway Museum profile

Northwest Railway Museum logo

The museum is home to the largest collection of Pacific Northwest railroad equipment with over 70 pieces on hand, many on display at the museum’s Railway History Campus and Train Shed Exhibit Hall in Snoqualmie. Seasonal steam and diesel train rides are operated to North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls. Choices Visitors can ride a train […]

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Chelatchie Prairie Railroad profile

Logo of Chelatchie Prairie Railroad tourist line

Diesel-powered trains operate on a bucolic railroad line completed in 1903. Now owned by Clark County and operated by volunteers, the 8-mile route features breathtaking scenery, a high trestle over the Lewis River, and a 330-foot tunnel hand carved from solid rock. Choices Passengers may choose to ride in either a caboose, open-air car, or […]

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Sumpter Valley Railroad profile

Sumpter Valley Railroad logo

A 5-mile portion of one of the most charming narrow-gauge lines of the Pacific Northwest has been re-created amid forests and the spoils of a former gold-mining dredge operation. It is a good approximation of a remote steam line in eastern Oregon, where snowcaps rise in the distance even in June. Choices The Sumpter Valley […]

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‘Coastliner’ RDCs to debut this weekend in Maine

Rail Diesel Car with blue and white nose striping in operation.

BATH, Maine — The first stage of what Midcoast Railservice President Mike Smith says is a “sequential laboratory experiment” he expects to culminate in scheduled passenger service between Rockland and Brunswick, Maine, is set to begin this weekend at Bath Heritage Days. On display at Bath, about 9 miles from the Brunswick terminus of Amtrak […]

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