STB extends mediation for Union Pacific, Metra

Commuter trains meet on curve

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday, Oct. 15, granted Union Pacific a 30-day extension to the mediation period in its effort to reach an agreement with Chicago’s Metra regarding some financial aspects of an agreement to continue commuter rail service on three Metra routes on UP lines. The mediation period was to have […]

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Commuter rail systems along the Northeast Corridor

Electric train arriving at a station

In addition to Amtrak’s long-distance, regional, and high-speed Acela trains, the Northeast Corridor (NEC) hosts multiple commuter entities across different sections. From Boston to Washington D.C., find out where each of these services travel along this highly active main line. These are the commuter rail systems along the Northeast Corridor. It’s important to note that […]

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Switzerland’s MOB orders new locomotives for GoldenPass Express

Rendering of new dual-cab electric locomotives

MONTREUX, Switzerland — The Montreux Overland Bernois Railway (MOB) has ordered six new locomotives from Stadler for the meter-gauge rail line, four of which will be used on the gauge-changing GoldenPass Express passenger train. The other two locomotives are intended for rail services and infrastructure maintenance. The dual-cab, B-B locomotives will be hybrid electrics, able […]

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The Agawa Yard layout in HO scale

A model train passes a model diner structure on a model railroad layout

My HO scale Agawa Yard layout is set in a fictional suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, in the spring of 1969. It’s part of a single-track main line that zig-zags through the suburbs and provides rail access to the area’s dwindling towns and industries. My layout is based on 1960s photos of the Canadian Pacific, […]

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Operator killed after NJ Transit light rail train strikes tree

Aerial view of damaged light rail trainset

MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The operator of a train on NJ Transit’s River Line has died after the train stuck a downed tree early this morning, KYW-TV reports. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. when a southbound train from Trenton hit the tree just north of the Roebling station. Forty-five people were reported to […]

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BNSF line reopened at site of Montana derailment

BNSF Railway logo

ESSEX, Mont. — One main track at the site of an Oct. 12 grain train derailment near Essex has been reopened, with the second expected to be reopened this evening, according to a BNSF advisory to customers. A dozen cars were reported to have derailed at Java, Mont., early Saturday [see “BNSF grain train derails […]

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Riding the Adirondack: photo report

A full-length heritage dome once operated seasonally on the New York-Montreal Adirondack north of Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y. That began during Amtrak’s 1990s product line era when managers focused on growing ridership and revenue on individual routes. The car was sold off during CEO Richard Anderson’s regime, although views are still terrific through Amfleet II coach windows. […]

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