CTA Yellow Line service still suspended after collision

People in safety gear at site of crash between rapid-transit train and maintenance equipment

CHICAGO — Service on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line remains suspended today (Friday, Nov. 17) after the Thursday collision between a two-car Yellow Line train and a piece of maintenance equipment that injured 38 people, 23 of whom were sent to hospitals for treatment. The train reportedly rear-ended a snow plow, according to a […]

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News photos: NJ Transit wraps locomotive to honor model railroading company

Red, white, and black locomotive with lettering for model railroad company

KEARNY, N.J. — NJ Transit, which has previously wrapped or painted locomotives to honor its railroading predecessors, has now wrapped a locomotive to honor a New Jersey-based model railroading-firm: Atlas Model Railroad Co. of Hillside, N.J., which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. The special wrap has been applied to Bombardier ALP-45DP dual-mode diesel-electric […]

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Amtrak train derails in Michigan after grade-crossing collision; 11 minor injuries reported

Derailed locomotive at night

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. —  Eleven people reportedly suffered minor injuries when Amtrak Wolverine train No. 355 bound for Chicago struck vehicles at a grade crossing and derailed in New Buffalo Township, Mich., about 10 p.m. Thursday night, WZZM-TV reports. At least eight trains scheduled for today have been cancelled while derailment cleanup takes place. The […]

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Competition from CPKC makes the rail industry better, CEO Keith Creel says

KCS3947Laredo

NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel is not the least bit surprised at how rival Class I railroads have responded to the CP-KCS merger by launching new and faster cross-border intermodal service. “We’re creating competition and this industry is getting stronger as a result,” Creel told the RailTrends conference on Thursday. […]

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First Tier 4 locomotive enters service for Napa Valley Wine Train

Maroon, gold, and green locomotives in golden-hour lighting

NAPA, Calif. – The Napa Valley Wine Train has placed the first of two Tier 4 compliant switcher units into service as the tourist railroad’s new regular motive power. Napa Valley Railroad NZE15B No. 1864 arrived on Oct. 30, 2023. The 1,560-hp unit was rebuilt by Knoxville Locomotive Works from a National Railway Equipment Co. […]

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Preservation group, BNSF return to North Dakota Supreme Court over Bismarck bridge

Steam-powered passenger train on large truss bridge over water

BISMARCK, N.D. — The fight over the future of BNSF Railway’s Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge over the Missouri River was back in front of the North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday, as the court heard arguments on a preservation group’s effort to overturn state permits allowing construction of a new bridge to proceed. The group Friends […]

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Pacific Surfliners to require reservations for Thanksgiving period, set plans for December closure of LA Union Station

Passenger train rounds curve with tower and commuter train in background

ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is instituting its annual requirement for advance reservations during the Thanksgiving holiday period — and has announced operating plans for the four-day period in late December when trains will be unable to stop at Los Angeles Union Station because of track and signal work. Reservations will be required Wednesday, […]

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California High-Speed Rail Authority, Burbank airport settle lawsuit

Metrolink_BurbankAirport_Lassen

BURBANK, Calif. — The agency that oversees Hollywood Burbank Airport and the California High-Speed Rail Authority have reached an agreement ending a lawsuit by the airport authority over the high speed rail project, the parties announced Thursday, Nov. 16. The agreement clears the way for construction between Burbank and Los Angeles Union Station, the Rail […]

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STB chairman Oberman will not seek reappointment (updated)

Man gesturing while talking

NEW YORK — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman – who used his position as a bully pulpit to criticize railroads and encourage them to reach their potential by hauling more of the nation’s freight – announced today that he will leave the board early next year. “After much consideration of the work the […]

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MBTA state-of-good-repair needs grow to $24.5 billion

Work crew on rail line at night

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority needs a massive infusion of $24.5 billion to address state-of-good repair needs, more than twice the figure from its last estimate of such maintenance needs in 2019, the agency said in a report issued today. The figure — up from $10 billion in the 2019 assessment — includes […]

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Chicago L train hits maintenance equipment; more than 19 injured (additional updates)

Stainless steel railcar with smashed-in front end

  CHICAGO — More than 30 people were injured, and more than 20 were hospitalized, following a crash involving a Chicago Transit Authority train today (Thurday, Nov. 16), according to updated information from the Chicago Fire Department. The latest information, as reported by WMAQ-TV, is that at least 38 people were injured, with 23 transported […]

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Do it yourself locomotive restoration

pile of green toy trains

Do it yourself locomotive restoration Yes, you can do it yourself! Restoring old tin trains is not as difficult as the popular folklore would have you believe. It doesn’t require any special skill or knowledge that you can’t master. Nor does it entail exotic or expensive equipment. Anyone can do it with simple household tools […]

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