Siemens optimistic about US passenger market

Two passenger trains, one white and blue, one white and yellow, on display tracks outside exhibition hall.

BERLIN — The prospects for a number of transformative passenger projects, as well as the potential for more rail electrification, have the CEO of Siemens Mobility in North America upbeat as he considers his company’s future. Marc Buncher heads a company that has grown rapidly in North America, with its Sacramento, Calif., manufacturing site employing […]

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A bad week for the California Zephyr

Passenger train with bilevel cars at station

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr has been cancelled this Sunday, Sept. 25 — continuing a week of disruptions for the service between Chicago and Emeryville, Calif. The sequence that led to Sunday’s cancellation began with the westbound departure of Monday, Sept. 19, which sustained delays totaling 16 hours, 35 minutes on its way to […]

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October 2022

Trains October 2022 issue cover

In every issue News p. 4 What’s next in the rail-labor dispute; a Chinese-made QJ steam locomotive makes a memorable run in the mid- west before inspection Preservation p. 44 First new coach arrives at East Broad Top Train-Watching p. 46 The Chesapeake & Indiana combines unique motive power and photo possibilities […]

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Trains Presents — Iowa Interstate 6988

black train on track with a lot of smoke

Come out to Iowa for a mainline steam run in June 2022 as the Central States Steam Preservation Association moves QJ-class 2-10-2 No. 6988 from Newton, IA to Silvis, IL over the rails of the Iowa Interstate Railroad.  The engine is heading east with 2000 tons of freight to the former Rock Island steam shops, […]

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Wabtec planning for transition from diesel

Flat gray box-like object

BERLIN — Wabtec has presented a range of new technology at the InnoTrans trade fair intended to enable rail operators to reduce fuel bills while offering shippers more efficient and predictable service. In a series of exclusive interviews with Trains News Wire, Wabtec executives outlined the likely transition from diesel to alternative fuel types for […]

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New Strasburg GM packs experience, skills

Man standing in front of steam locomotive

STRASBURG, Pa. – Jim Hager brings a host of skills and experience to his new job as general manager of the 190-year-old Strasburg Rail Road, America’s oldest short line and now one of the country’s busiest and longest-running steam tourist railroads. A New Jersey native, he started hanging around the Black River & Western, another […]

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Restoration effort begins for last surviving U34CH

Black locomotive with gray stripe

BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has begun restoration of the last surviving U34CH locomotive, a project it is undertaking in partnership with contractor and consulting firm FMW Solutions. The organization has begun the project with a $10,000 matching donation from the Tri-State Railway Historical Society. It will display the […]

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News photos: A short South Shore special

Two orange and maroon locomotives and one passenger cars under shed at two-track station

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A South Shore Line special train — the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s two GP38-2 rebuilds and one car, the former Milwaukee Road business car Montana — awaits departure from the South Shore station at South Bend International Airport on Thursday, Sept. 22. The train was scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. […]

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California’s Valley Link rail system to pursue hydrogen power

Map of a planned commuter rail line between Dublin and Lathrop, Calif.

TRACY, Calif. — The planned Valley Link commuter rail system, which would run from Lathrop, Calif., to Dublin/Pleasanton, will pursue the possibility of using hydrogen-powered equipment when it launches in 2027, the Modesto Bee reports. The Valley Link board voted earlier this month to accept a report that found the alternative energy source feasible and […]

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