KITCHENER, Ontario — VIA Rail Canada’s first set of new Siemens-built equipment for corridor service was back in action testing on Thursday, Aug. 11., operating as train 688 on CN’s Guelph Subdivision from London via Stratford and Kitchener toward Toronto. This trainset was delivered last September; a second trainset arrived from Siemens’ Sacramento, Calif., factory, […]
PITTSBURGH — The engineer and conductor of a Norfolk Southern train derailed by a rockslide last year are suing the railroad, arguing the railroad’s negligence led to the accident. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports engineer Matthew Marchionda and conductor Edward Mansfield were the crew of the train en route from Chicago to New Jersey when it […]
WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail officials have requested permission to return up to 27 more 7000-series trainsets to service, while decreasing the frequency of inspections for wheel issues, the Washington Post reports. If granted, the request to the independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission would mean operation of as many as 35 of the Kawasaki-built trainsets — […]
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society has announced pandemic-delayed winners of its Railroad History awards for 2020, as well as one award for 2019. The awards recognize senior achievement, photography, and book and magazine authors. Winners for 2020 are John P. Hankey of Omaha, Neb., Gerald M. Best Senior Achievement Award; Brian Solomon of Center […]
GREENVILLE, S.C. — No injuries were reported and no hazardous-material situation resulted when a Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday morning in Greenville’s Poe Mill Community. WSPA-TV reports the derailment occurred about 8 a.m. The presence of three tank cars among those that had derailed led first responders to initially treat the incident as a potential […]
NEW YORK — A New York City Transit died after being discovered between tracks of a subway yard in the Bronx on Thursday, possibly after making contact with the electrified third rail, according to police. WINS radio reports the 38-year-old woman was found about 8:20 a.m. at the Mosholu Train Yard in Jerome Park, and […]
EAST GALESBURG, Ill. — A grade crossing remains closed and cleanup is ongoing in the wake of an Aug. 3 derailment of a BNSF Railway intermodal train, the Galesburg Register-Mail reports. The State Street crossing at the derailment site is expected to reopen next week, a BNSF spokesman told the railroad. Darrell Corbin, acting mayor […]
Flatbed trailers Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Two-pack, $29.98 Era: 1960s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Flatbed trailers feature: Detailed front board Wood grain detail on deck Modeler-applied landing gear in raised and lowered positions with hand crank in transport position Taillights, placard, license plate, and […]
American Car & Foundry 2,980-cubic-foot Center Flow covered hopper Scale: N (1:160) Price: $44.98 Era: 1985+ Manufacturer: Produced by Micro-Trains Line Co., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Separate roof, end cages, and stirrup steps Factory-installed brake wheel and four round hatch covers Two-piece outlet gates Pin-mounted roller-bearing trucks Plastic wheelsets […]
Spokane Portland and Seattle passenger trains: All through August 2022, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway was the product of sparring during 1905-1909 between “Empire Builder” James J. Hill of the Great Northern and Edward H. Harriman of the Union […]
Pennsy Santa train ride: There is an indelible link between kids, trains, and Christmas; even the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad found a way to offer a Santa train ride to kids. Growing up in 1950s Fort Wayne, Ind., I remember the Pennsylvania Railroad as a prominent player in the city’s life. Also prominent was Fort […]
Amtrak electric locomotives went through a period of uncertainty early in the passenger railroad’s existence. Not long after its inception, Amtrak began to focus on the fact that its non-Metroliner passenger service in the “Northeast Corridor” would require a replacement for the stalwart GG1 electrics that hauled its “conventional” trains over the electrified […]
