Nancy L. Bartol, longtime Trains staffer, dies at 83

Head shot of woman with glasses in red sweater

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Nancy L. Bartol, a longtime member of the Trains magazine editorial staff and later Kalmbach Publishing Co.’s librarian, died Dec. 29 at age 83. With 43 years at Kalmbach, she was one of the longest-tenured employees in the company’s history, most of her career reporting directly to Trains Editor David P. Morgan. […]

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‘One CSX’ locomotive unveiled by railroad

Nose view of blue locomotive with One CSX lettering

WAYCROSS, Ga. — CSX has introduced a new specially painted locomotive commemorating its “One CSX” initiative to recognize and involve the railroad’s employees. As with the railroad’s fleet of heritage locomotives, the newly painted unit — SD70MAC No. 4720 — was unveiled by CEO Joe Hinrichs in a posted on the business social media site […]

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Former Rio Grande depot in Cañon City, Colo., is sold

One story brick building with bank signage

CAÑON CITY, Colo. — The Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance has purchased the former Denver & Rio Grande Western depot in Cañon City and plans to make it “a hub serving businesses, residents, and tourists.” The 1909 structure is located at 816 Royal Gorge Blvd., the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and State Route 115. “We […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 1: Turmoil at Norfolk Southern

Front view of black locomotive entering curve

For Norfolk Southern, 2024 was the second turbulent year in a row that the railroad probably would like to forget. As the year began, NS executives held private meetings with a Cleveland-based activist investor that sought seats on the company’s board and wanted the railroad to improve its lagging financial performance in the wake of […]

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CPKC train derails in eastern North Dakota

CPKC logo

CUBA, N.D. — No injuries were reported when 17 cars of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train derailed Monday (Dec. 30, 2024) near the town of Cuba. The derailment occurred just before noon. Barnes County Emergency Manager Jessica Jenrich told KFGO Radio that the cars involved were either empty or carrying sand. Cuba is about […]

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Amtrak ends plan to move to Miami Airport station: report

Blocked-off platform at passenger station

MIAMI — Amtrak has ended plans to move its operations to a station at Miami International Airport. The news site Miami Today reports that the passenger operator sent a short letter to officials involved with the Miami Intermodal Center at the airport, saying it “currently not feasible” to move operations of the Silver Meteor and […]

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Alaska Railroad gold spike set for auction

Gold railroad spike engraved with message to Col. Frederick Mears

NEW YORK — The gold spike from the 1923 ceremony marking completion of the Alaska Railroad, in private hands since it was driven by President Warren G. Harding, is up for sale. Auction house Christie’s announced plans for a January sale of the spike in a social media post earlier this month. A listing on […]

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Top stories of 2024, No. 2: Federal infrastructure spending

Illustration of double-track bridge with lift span in middle

  For the second straight year, federal infrastructure spending lands on our review of the year’s top stories (last year, it was tied for No. 6). Some of the dollars awarded in 2023 are part of the 2024 story, as big-ticket projects began moving forward after long waits for financial support, with impacts that will […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 3: Brightline West

Line of people with hammers at table with rail and spikees

It was described at groundbreaking as the start of the United States high-speed rail industry. But arguably, the Brightline West project is the best hope for establishing true U.S. high speed rail. The April 22, 2024, groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas — on a lot south of the Las Vegas strip, next to Interstate 15, […]

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