ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe No. 2926 will make its second visit of the year to Albuquerque’s downtown Rail Yards – a former ATSF facility with sections redeveloped as a multi-use venue, and future home for the 4-8-4. New Mexico Railroad Days is scheduled on Sept. 28 and 29, with the locomotive to make an […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America to host Tractors & Trains
SILVIS, Ill. — Initially announced on Sept. 1, the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s (RRHMA) upcoming Tractors & Trains event, scheduled Oct. 18-19, now has a new layer of excitement brewing. A Sept. 13 announcement headlines plans for the non-profit organization to unveil its latest acquisition that’s touted as a rare piece of railroading history. […]
Swiss Saga, 2024, part 2: Trying to see all the RhB has to offer
SCUOL-TARASP, Switzerland — It’s cold and wet tonight in the Alps — the rain I’ve been contending with for most of the day has turned to snow at the higher altitudes — so it’s a good evening to get up to date on the senior editor’s 2024 Swiss Saga: Tuesday, Sept. 11: The second day […]
New Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George prioritizes operational excellence
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – Norfolk Southern, which has struggled to maintain consistent and reliable service in recent years, will no longer tolerate mediocre operational performance, new CEO Mark George says. “The tolerance for poor performance inside of rails has always bothered me,” George said this morning in his first public remarks since replacing Alan Shaw […]
Montreal commuter rail lines threatened
MONTREAL — There are Montreal commuter rail lines threatened with closure. A report by Autorité Régionale de Transport Métropolitain suggests that closing three commuter rail lines could save up to C$21 million annually, CBC News reports. Commuters would be served by bus connection to adjacent rail lines instead. They are the three least-traveled EXO commuter […]
Nickel Plate Road No. 765 rolls out for Rolling Victory (updated)
PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — Labor Day concluded the summer schedule for Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s Indiana Rail Experience. The sendoff during the three-day weekend was the Rolling Victory event in Pleasant Lake, billed as a World War II experience with reenactors, displayed equipment, battle reenactments, big band dance, train rides, and Nickel Plate Road […]
Norfolk Southern brass seek to reassure employees after sudden firing of CEO
ATLANTA – Norfolk Southern sought to reassure employees that the railroad is in good hands after this week’s firing of CEO Alan Shaw and Chief Legal Officer Nabanita Nag, who were engaged in a consensual relationship in violation of the company’s ethics policy. “While we are deeply troubled to learn of this situation, I am […]
Locomotives are living the expat life
Living the expat life You may not be aware, but your favorite diesel model from long ago may be living another life right now in a land far away. Thousands of locomotives no longer needed on North American railroads have been shipped off to lead a second life in foreign countries for decades. The second-hand […]
Alaska by Rail Day 5 — Riding the ‘Turn’
Welcome aboard the Trains–Special Interest Tours 2024 Alaska by Rail adventure. Please join us as we travel on the Alaska Railroad for 9 days from Sept. 8 to 17, heading south from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska. We begin with an Alaskan vocabulary lesson. Today’s term: termination snow. Dial back to the Day 4 entry when […]
Heartland of America: The Big Boy cometh
VILLA GROVE, Ill. — Villa Grove Mayor Cassandra Eversole-Gunter sat behind engineer Ed Dickens, manager of Union Pacific’s Heritage Program on Monday as the Big Boy “Heartland of America” tour made a scheduled service stop at Watseka, Ill. The mayor, in her second term, rode No. 4014 from Watseka back to Villa Grove arriving at […]
Colorado’s San Luis Central reopens line
MONTE VISTA, Colo. — The San Luis Central reopens its main line running the first train to operate since May 24, 2024. Here, it crosses an irrigation canal on newly installed culverts that repaired a washout on this section of line on Sept. 9, 2024. Electro-Motive SW8, No. 70, with General Manager Tom Tancula at […]
Nominees to Amtrak board support national network at hearing
WASHINGTON — As is usually the case with hearings held by U.S. Senate and House committees responsible for Amtrak, the most revealing part of the event usually comes in the witness question-and-answer session well after opening statements. Yesterday’s Senate Commerce Committee cross examination of four prospective Amtrak Board of Directors nominees was no exception. [Near […]