BEGUSARAI, India — Thieves in the state of Bihar stole an entire diesel locomotive, piece by piece, by digging a tunnel into a rail yard and removing parts from the unit awaiting repairs, police said last week. The Hindu newspaper reports three people were arrested and 13 sacks of locomotive parts were recovered at a […]
With few extra trains, Amtrak’s ability to capture heavy Thanksgiving demand is limited
WASHINGTON — Consistent sellouts on Amtrak trains before and after Thanksgiving never get the same media play as TV reporters provide with stand-ups at the airport or on a highway overpass, and 2022 was no exception. The ability to efficiently move masses of travelers is a story that needs to be told. What was different […]
Washington short line receives funds for track work
VANCOUVER, Wash. — The 33-mile Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, owned by Clark County, Wash., and leased to two operators, will receive $4.7 million in state funding for line rehabilitation work, the Columbian newspaper reports. The first $1.5 million will improve the 14-mile section between Vancouver and Battle Ground, Wash., leased to the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad, […]
Transport Canada opens application process for climate-change infrastructure program
OTTAWA — Transport Canada is now accepting applications for up to C$10.5 million in rail projects to be funded under the Climate Change and Adaptation to Extreme Weather Infrastructure Initiative, part of the Rail Safety Improvement Program. Applications are being accepted through Jan. 6, 2023; information the program and application process is available here. “We […]
Denver-area light-rail train that derailed was going almost 40 mph as it entered 10 mph curve
AURORA, Colo. — A Regional Transportation District light rail train that derailed in September was going almost 40 miles an hour as it entered a 10-mph curve, according to a newly released report. The Sept. 21 accident in Aurora sent three people to the hospital, led to on-scene examination of more than 20 others, and […]
Amtrak Auto Train, VIA offer big discounts through Cyber Monday — with exceptions
WASHINGTON AND MONTREAL — U.S. and Canadian national passenger rail operators are joining the Black Friday markdown blitz for travel beginning as early as next week and as late as June 30, 2023, depending upon the route. For both Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, the deals are available only through Monday, Nov. 29, at midnight. […]
VIA Rail Canada to begin testing fuel-saving software in train operations
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will extend a pilot program using artificial intelligence to reduce fuel consumption, following a six-month trial that showed potential fuel savings of up to 15%. VIA, in a collaboration with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada Testing, originally started working with start-up company RailVision Analytics to test EcoRail software that […]
CP Holiday Train begins 2022 season
CALGARY, Alberta — The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has launched its 2022 tour, making its first-ever visits to Maine earlier this week as well as stops in Lac-Megantic, Sherbrook, and Farnham, Quebec, on Thursday. It is the first time the train has run in three years, after the Holiday Train program offered online concerts in […]
New British government keeps spending on high speed rail, lets rail reforms slip
The British government, now with its third Prime Minister in 12 weeks, has confirmed it will continue to fund several major rail (and road) investment programs, as well as new nuclear power plants. Opponents of both sets of projects had hoped the high price tag might tempt the government to make immediate spending cuts. New […]
Trains LIVE – In the traces
Trains LIVE — 11-23-2022 — There is no doubt that Ted Rose ranks in the upper echelons of railroad artists. Rose, born in Milwaukee in 1940, rendered hundreds of watercolor paintings and monotypes during his career. Sadly, he passed in 2002, however, the artistic legacy he left behind gives us the opportunity to explore his […]
East Broad Top
The East Broad Top is the most comprehensive and up-to-date look at the rebirth of a legend. Get the behind the scenes information on this last major narrow gauge railroad in Eastern United States. Retrace the history, visit its shop complex at Orbisonia, Pa., and learn about the efforts it takes to bring a railroad […]
December 2022
In every issue News p. 4 Latest in rail labor dispute, Q&A with CSX’s newly appointed president, and California buys hydrogen-powered trainsets for Amtrak Preservation p. 42 UP’s 2-10-2 No. 5511 moves for the first time in 50 years Train-Watching p. 46 Short line: Beautiful New England scenes along the Massachusetts Coastal RR […]
