CHEHALIS, Wash. — Documents detailing more than $1 million in losses over a 6-year period led to the inability of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum’s inability to obtain liability insurance, the heritage railroad’s insurance broker explained earlier this week at an emergency meeting of the railroad’s board of directors. The lack of insurance has forced […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 5, 2022, remained slightly below 2021 levels, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Overall traffic for the week was 505,177 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.9% from the corresponding week a year earlier. That included 238,870 carloads, a 2.8% increase, and 266,307 […]
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Re-laying a third track on the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River and building a new 5-mile-long main line track through the Altoona, Pa., yard are part of a proposed Norfolk Southern-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plan to add a second Pennsylvanian daily passenger train. In addition, the plan would install three […]
CHICAGO — In a preview of operations planned if their merger is approved, Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern have launched interline intermodal service between Mexico’s port of Lázaro Cárdenas and Chicago. The first train arrived at CP’s Bensenville Yard in Illinois on Tuesday. CP said in a press release the service was launched “out […]
PARIS — International private equity firm Antin Infrastructure Partners has made what it calls “a strategic investment” in Michigan regional railroad Lake State Railway, the companies announced Tuesday. Lake State, founded in 1992, operates 375 route-miles in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, primarily stretching from Plymouth in the south of the state to Gaylord and Alpena in […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will begin using a higher percentage of biodiesel fuel in its Wabtec locomotives, the companies announced Tuesday, as part of its effort to increase its use of low-carbon fuels. On Wednesday, Wabtec and BNSF announced similar testing plans. Union Pacific will test the use of B20 biodiesel (20% biofuel) and […]
LOGAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — SMS Rail Service, the New Jersey short line celebrated for its continuing use of Baldwin locomotives, has been hit by scrap thieves who stole some $135,000 in parts from locomotives and railcars. NJ.com reports parts including high-voltage cables, motor cables, air brake equipment and brass wheel bearings were stolen from seven […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corp.’s philanthropic arm, the Wabtec Foundation, is donating $100,000 to Ukrainian refugee relief, the company announced Tuesday. The donation will be split between the International Rescue Committee, which works in more than 40 countries and 20 U.S. cities to help those devastated by conflict and disaster, and World Central Kitchen, which is […]
WASHINGTON — A combination of Precision Scheduled Railroading and pressure from Wall Street has prompted railroads to slash costs and raise rates while providing less reliable service, rail shippers and labor told Congress on Tuesday. The House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee hearing was focused on the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board and how the […]
Lionel Legacy SW8 locomotive Lionel has released an SW8 switcher locomotive in its Legacy line. Classic Toy Trains editor Hal Miller gives you a first look at this engine, which is loaded with extra details like a fan-driven smoke unit, operating couplers, unique number boards, a bell, a single smokestack, two horns, and so much […]
Menards has released a new O gauge auto dealership building called Valley Motors. It features lighting, die-cast vehicles, figures, and lots of detail. It would be at home on a layout set in the 1940s to today. The structure harkens back to an era where American cars and trucks were heavy – probably made of […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — A recent trip from Orlando to Chicago provided a snapshot of the positives and issues that shape Amtrak service during a period that has seen the company reduce service on a number of routes, citing a lack of resources. Tickets were booked using a combination of cash and Amtrak Guest Rewards points […]
