Dining experience worthy of Viewliners is back: Trip review

Interior of dining car with linen tableclothes and cloth napkins on tables

ABOARD THE SILVER STAR — The announcement Amtrak is extending chef-prepared meals and table service for sleeping-car passengers to another New York-Miami train [see “Amtrak returns ‘traditional dining’ to Silver Meteor,” Trains News Wire, June 27, 2023] came a few days after News Wire had a chance to sample that service on the northbound Silver […]

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Delaware & Hudson locomotives remembered

Silver-and-blue diesel Delaware & Hudson locomotives in yard

Delaware & Locomotive locomotives demonstrated some of the greatest variety for a railroad its size.     Steam locomotives on the D&H were distinctive. Its roster was dominated by 2-8-0 and 4-6-0 types, but it also had notable fleets of 4-6-2s, 4-8-4s, and 4-6-6-4s. After World War I, the road stuck with the 2-8-0 long […]

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The MTH VO1000 diesel is a solid switcher

MTH VO1000 diesel

The MTH VO1000 diesel is a  good-running, heavy, and well detailed model of the Baldwin switcher. The latest run features Protosound 3.0 with freight sound effects, LED lighting, and a fan-driven smoke unit. In addition to the four road names produced by the manufacturer, there have also been several other special runs commissioned. Read more […]

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VRE opens new maintenance facility

Interior of new shop building with locomotive and bilevel passenger car

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Railway Express has opened its new Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade maintenance facility, or LOU, at its Crossroads Yard in Fredericksburg. The 33,500-foot, two-track structure features a drop table for removing locomotive and railcar trucks and wheelsets; a wheel truing machine; and an overhead bridge crane with two lift points, one with […]

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New York offering more than $100 million for rail, port projects

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State is offering $121.6 million in funding for rail and port projects within the state under its Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, with applications for funding accepted through Oct. 6. Eligible projects include track and bridge rehabilitation; yard, terminal and siding construction; grade crossing resurfacing; wayside detectors; and other […]

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Better as a model: The Lionel turbine locomotive

The Lionel turbine locomotive No. 671

The Lionel turbine locomotive has gone down in history as one of the model maker’s iconic products. From its success, reputation as a great runner, and longevity, you’d think the locomotive it’s based on was one of the greatest of all time. It wasn’t. The Pennsylvania RR S2 Lionel’s 6-8-6 is based on the Class […]

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‘Coastliner’ RDCs to debut this weekend in Maine

Rail Diesel Car with blue and white nose striping in operation.

BATH, Maine — The first stage of what Midcoast Railservice President Mike Smith says is a “sequential laboratory experiment” he expects to culminate in scheduled passenger service between Rockland and Brunswick, Maine, is set to begin this weekend at Bath Heritage Days. On display at Bath, about 9 miles from the Brunswick terminus of Amtrak […]

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Reading & Northern names Sharadin to coal executive position

Head shot of man with short hair

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern Railroad has appointed Michael Sharadin as vice president-coal sourcing, the company has announced. Sharadin rejoins the railroad after serving as an area manager for Amazon Transportation since 2020. There, he managed the transportation department at two fulfillment centers in the Lehigh Valley. He had previously spent more than […]

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NTSB investigating CSX employee death at Port of Baltimore

Aerial view of container facility adjacent to port

BALTIMORE — The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation after a CSX Transportation employee was killed after being struck by a train Monday evening at the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore. The Baltimore Banner reports an NTSB representative said two investigators were on the scene today to begin fact-finding into […]

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