Misaligned switch led to LIRR derailment, MTA says

Derailed electric multiple unit trainset

NEW YORK — A misaligned switch — incorrectly shown to dispatchers as being correctly aligned for a straight-ahead move — was the cause of last week’s derailment of a Long Island Rail Road train at Hall Interlocking in Queens, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said today (Aug. 11). Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, in the […]

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Railfanning in North Dakota: BNSF’s high bridges

Train approaching large three-span bridge in the middle of S curve

Railfanning in North Dakota North Dakota is usually synonymous with the high plains of flat, rolling fields of wheat, corn, and soybeans, not railroad infrastructure such as bridges. One may be surprised that in a few places around the state, railroads required impressive bridges to cross wide river valleys and coulees. These structures were constructed […]

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Where do I find paint for toy train projects?

Two bottles of paint, one orange, the other yellow, in front of a white background

Where do I find paint for toy train projects? Q: I am looking to restore some of my trains. How do I get started? Where do I find the paint for the job? – Ray Fiorini, Endicott, N.Y. A. Ray, if you have a handy pile of CTT back issues or access to the online […]

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Class I railroads have yet to join Close Call Reporting System

Logo for Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON — In the wake of the East Palestine derailment, U.S. Class I railroads pledged to join the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System, which allows employees to report near accidents and other safety violations. But the New York Times reports that five months later, the railroads have not yet done so and […]

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MBTA plans 58-day disruption of commuter rail Haverhill Line

Portion of commuter rail system map showing MBTA Lowell and Haverhill lines

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will halt service most of on its Haverhill commuter rail line for 58 days beginning Saturday, Sept. 9, to accommodate signal system upgrades related to Automatic Train Control upgrades to positive train control. Trains will be diverted from the Haverhill Line to the Lowell Line south of Ballardvale […]

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Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society acquires depot

Weathered wooden railroad station being passed by steam locomotive

PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired the 141-year-old railroad station in Pleasant Lake to serve as headquarters for the Indiana Rail Experience, the tourist rail partnership of the society and the short line Indiana Northeastern Railroad. The acquisition was made possible through a grant to develop a station and […]

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