DENVER — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday signed into law the bill that imposes a fee on rental cars to help fund rail passenger service in the state. SB24-184 imposes a “congestion impact fee” of up to $3 per day on rental cars, with money raised as a result to go into a fund […]
Zone & Region: Mountain West
Trains.com Video BONUS | Behind Big Skies & Iron Rails
Trains.com Video BONUS | Behind Big Skies & Iron Rails … “Anything for The Shot.” It’s the photographer’s creed. But what does that really mean? Especially when it comes to railfan images captured by Trains.com’s intrepid adventurer Tom Danneman, who often contends with extended exposure to wild weather, rugged landscape, and outright lethal creatures too! […]
Amtrak Superliner Cars
The recent shortage of Amtrak long-distance sleeper cars has hoisted the venerable, but rapidly aging, Superliner equipment into the spotlight again. You can read more about past and present Superliner woes in the article, “Superliner capacity not a new issue”, appearing in the July 2024 issue of Trains magazine. But first, catch a glimpse of […]
Patriot Rail donates vintage parts, machinery to Kentucky Steam
IRVINE, Ky. — Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. has received a donation of vintage parts and equipment valued at well over $200,000 from Patriot Rail to aid the non-profit organization’s restoration of C&O 2-8-4 No. 2716 and stock the group’s locomotive shop. The donation includes some 37,000 pounds of parts, tools, and supplies from a Patriot […]
No injuries reported as Utah light rail train derails
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — No injuries were reported when a Utah Transit Authority TRAX light rail train derailed Sunday at the Decker Lake station in West Valley City, disrupting operations for the remainder of the day. UTA first reported an issue on the Green Line via its X feed at 2:06 p.m., saying there […]
Five mind-blowing facts — Golden Spike Ceremony
On May 10, 1869, the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed during the Golden Spike Ceremony. Yes, every rail enthusiast and elementary school student has this date ingrained in their mind. The rail enthusiast probably remembers the date better than the elementary school student, but nonetheless, it is a significant date in U.S. history. However, for […]
Colorado governor signs bill requiring wayside detectors, creating rail safety office (updated)
PUEBLO, Colo. — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed into law a rail bill including a requirement for wayside detectors and creating a new Office of Rail Safety to consider and enforce further regulations. Polis signed the bill in a ceremony at the Pueblo Union Depot. Pueblo was chosen as the site as the […]
Golden Spike centennial
Railroad fans of all stripes congregate at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1969, for the Golden Spike centennial celebration, including a trainload that came from New York City behind High Iron 2-8-4 No. 759 and a Union Pacific streamliner west of Kansas City. Arthur W. Zimmerla, collection of Arthur A. Zimmerla […]
Union Pacific releases schedule for Big Boy ‘Westward Bound Tour’
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific has released the schedule for Big Boy No. 4014’s “Westward Bound Tour” to Roseville, Calif., and back, which begins June 30, and concludes July 26, and will include one excursion — July 14 from Roseville to Sparks, Nev. The locomotive will be on display for two days in Roseville (July […]
BNSF appeals outcome of Montana asbestos trial
MISSOULA, Mont. — BNSF Railway is appealing the results of a recent trial that found the railroad liable in the deaths of two people exposed to asbestos when mining materials were shipped from the town of Libby, Mont., delaying the start of a similar case, Montana Public Radio reports. In April, a jury found the […]
Crumple zone
Rio Grande F7 No. 5661 struck a standing train at Thistle, Utah, on Dec. 19, 1963. Much of the impact energy was released just behind the cab, which remains intact. James H. Karle photo […]
Scenic Limited in the Royal Gorge
A 4-6-0 and 4-8-4 lead Denver & Rio Grande Western’s westbound Scenic Limited into the Royal Gorge west of Canon City in 1942. William Moedinger photo […]