Steam Railroading Institute launches campaign for C&NW 175

Steam locomotive on turntable with large group of railroaders

OWOSSO, Mich. — The Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) has launched a fundraising campaign for the restoration of Chicago & North Western R-1 class 4-6-0 No. 175, which the museum acquired in 2018 from the Mineral Range Railroad in Ishpeming, Mich. Built in 1908 by American Locomotive Co. at its Schenectady Works, the 175 was one […]

Read More…

European rail line caught up in geopolitics stemming from Ukraine war

Flat-front European diesel locomotives in yard

A rail line through the small European country of Lithuania has become the site of serious geopolitical wrangling between the Lithuanian government, the European Union, and Russia. The rail line connects the otherwise isolated small Russian region of Kaliningrad with the rest of Russia, via both Lithuania and Russian ally Belarus. Financial and other sanctions […]

Read More…

British trains stopped by giant tortoise

Giant tortoise in the middle of a railroad track

THETFORD, England — Passenger trains of British operator Greater Anglia were disrupted for about an hour Monday afternoon because of an escaped giant tortoise on the tracks. Yes, you read that correctly. The BBC reports that the animal, about 2½ feet long, had escaped from pet and aquarium store Swallow Aquatics on Sunday. It was […]

Read More…

Amtrak employee names Missouri DOT in suit over Chief derailment

Aerial view of derailed train

KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — An Amtrak train attendant injured in the June 27 derailment of the Southwest Chief has become the latest person to file suit over the fatal accident, and apparently the first to name the Missouri Department of Transportation as a defendant. KSHB-TV reports attorneys representing California-based employee Iesha Coleman say the state DOT […]

Read More…

August 2022

Norfolk Southern on cover

In every issue News p. 4 Rail labor-management issues continue to build Preservation p. 44 Trust group displays Pennsy T1-class 4-4-4-4 boiler, shows tangible progress Train-Watching p. 46 Short line: Ontario Southland Railway […]

Read More…

July 2022

4-6-2 locomotive on cover

In every issue News p. 4 The Surface Transportation Board takes a hard look at the state of railroad service Preservation p. 44 Major parts of Union Pacific’s heritage fleet find new home Train-Watching p. 46 Hot spot: UP and BNSF trains battle California’s rugged Tehachapi Mountains […]

Read More…

Amtrak service resumes through Albany

Amtrak logo.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Amtrak has resumed service through Albany, N.Y., as of Monday afternoon, ending a three-day suspension of service triggered by falling pieces from a building next to the tracks. The trains will operate with a speed restriction past the Central Warehouse, a long-vacant cold storage facility. Pieces from the wall of the 12-story […]

Read More…

Iowa Interstate returns SD38-2s to service

Black, red, and yellow locomotives cross bridge with speedboat in foreground

The Iowa Interstate Railroad has reactivated SD38-2s Nos. 152 and 153 after three of its General Electric ES44-AC locomotives suffered damage in grade crossing accidents. The locomotives handed train PESI (Peoria-Silvis, Ill.) on Sunday, July 31, with ES44AC No. 508, pulling 90 grain empties and two steel loads. The non-turbocharged, normally aspirated engines are fan […]

Read More…