Pacific 5127, leased from parent Canadian National, pauses at Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific’s elevated station (hidden behind train) in West Duluth, Minn., with the overnight accommodation from Fort Frances, Ont., in September 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Dynamic brakes The primary way to stop a train is using the air brake system located on the trailing freight cars behind the locomotives. A locomotive equipped with dynamic brakes can be a powerful tool for the engineer to help stop or control the speed of the train in addition to the train brakes. While […]
Parts of an Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 diesel locomotive Electro-Motive Division (EMD) produced the GP15-1 diesel locomotive from June 1976 through March 1982. During that time, 310 units were built. The four-axle road switcher was equipped with a 1,500hp 12-645E diesel engine, a D32 generator, and D77B traction motors. Original owners included Chicago & North Western […]
Q: I have two questions on decorating Baltimore and Ohio diesels. I would like to know what color the fuel tank, air reservoir, and trucks were on a B&O GP7. Second question, what type of horns did these locomotives have, and where were they placed on the locomotive?– Barry Geiger A: The Baltimore & Ohio […]
STONINGTON, Ill. — A 69-year-old worker at a grain elevator was killed and a Norfolk Southern train was derailed after a collision between the train and a Trackmobile on Friday. WAND-TV reports the employee of the Legacy Grain Cooperative was operating the railcar moving equipment when it crossed into the path of the oncoming NS […]
MONTREAL — Issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the financial impacts of the war in Ukraine have led to the latest delay in opening the first segment of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system, officials of the organization building the REM said on Friday. The CBC reports Jean-Marc Arbaud, CEO of CDPQ Infra […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has denied a bid by the owner of the Skunk Train tourist operation to acquire 13 miles of abandoned Northwestern Pacific right-of-way, increasing the likelihood the entire route will become a public trail. In a Thursday decision, the board ruled that Mendocino Railways, the Skunk Train owner, “has failed […]
34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1970s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper features: Factory-applied door and brake details Heavy die-cast metal underframe 36” metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Gifford […]
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passenger Association is asking for an expedited federal review of the disastrous 19-hour trip of an Amtrak Wolverine train earlier this month — a 304-mile trip that should take less than six hours — and is asking to be allowed to observe that review when it takes place. That Oct. 7 […]
OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]
LOWELL, Ark. — Railroads’ intermodal service improved considerably during the third quarter, J.B. Hunt executives said this week on the company’s earnings call. “Rail service has shown real signs of improvement in both velocity and reliability during the quarter with positive momentum building, the most notable increase coming from our friends at the BNSF,” J.B. […]
SACRAMENTO — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has awarded its first contract for design of stations on the initial segment of the rail operation in the state’s Central Valley. The Fresno Bee reports the board has awarded a $35.3 million, 30-month contract for preliminary site planning and design for stations in Fresno, Merced, Hanford, and […]
