Montreal’s REM light rail makes debut

Light rail train and passenger train pass near body of water

MONTREAL — With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault taking part in the inaugural run, Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail network made its debut with ceremonies on Friday. The first trips Friday on the 16.6-kilometer (10.3-mile) segment between Central Station and Brossard were a prelude to open-house events and free […]

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Return of Ottawa light rail line pushed back at least 10 days

Red and white light rail train rounds curve

OTTAWA, Ontario — Return of Ottawa’s light-rail Confederation Line has been pushed back at least 10 days to allow for additional track work, city officials were informed on Friday. Aug. 10 is now the earliest the system could resume operation. CTV News reports Renée Amicar, the city’s general manager of transit services, told the city […]

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Hub Group expands intermodal cross-border auto parts service on Union Pacific

Yellow locomotives in with double-stack cars ahead and behind

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Hub Group is expanding its intermodal service to include inbound parts moves to all auto assembly plants in North America, with a focus on cross-border shipments to and from Mexico. “We are extremely excited about the growth opportunity we have unlocked with our partner, Union Pacific, in the north-south corridor between […]

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Ask Trains.com July 2023 compilation part two

Ask Trains.com July compilation part two: An image of a man standing behind a workbench

Ask Trains.com July 2023 compilation part two: Cody Grivno answers viewer questions regarding weathering freight car trucks, accurately scratchbuilding a switcher locomotive interior using prototype references, passenger train departure and arrival announcement recordings, and more! Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? We’d love […]

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Mike Schafer’s Milwaukee Road

Yellow passenger trains' front and rear

Even as he handed it to me the other night at a Milwaukee slide show, I couldn’t quite believe what Mike Schafer was telling me. “Hey, this is my first railroad book! Maybe you’ll write about it?”     Mike Schafer’s first railroad book. That didn’t sound quite right. I’ve been reading Mike’s name on […]

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5 small toy train engines in O and S gauge

K-line porter 0-4-0T steam engine

Here are 5 small toy train engines in O and S gauges from several eras. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, but rather a way to call attention to these often overlooked little workhorses. Many of us have layouts that are under 100 square feet. It’s nice to have engines available that look great pulling trains […]

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Court rules Union Pacific is not obligated to continue service for Metra

Two commuter trains meet on curve

CHICAGO — A U.S. appeals court has ruled Union Pacific does not have a common-carrier obligation to continue operating commuter trains for Metra, likely hastening the transition of operations on three commuter lines from UP to Metra operation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled on Wednesday that “Union Pacific is not […]

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Three injured as SEPTA trolley derails, hits historic building

Aerial view of derailed light-rail vehicle with one end inside stone building

PHILADELPHIA — An out-of-service Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley derailed, struck a vehicle, and crashed into a historic building dating to 1766 on Thursday night. Three people were injured, although Delia King, the woman who lives in the former Blue Bell Inn at the corner of Island and Woodland avenues was unhurt. “A SEPTA trolley just […]

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Canada’s Cando Rail to develop battery switcher

Green and gray switching locomotive with extended-height cab

EDMONTON, Alberta — Cando Rail & Terminals — the Canadian company which operates shortlines, terminals and transload facilities, and handles industrial switching, among a wide variety of rail services — will develop a battery-electric switcher. The company announced Thursday that it plans to retrofit a legacy, non-tier compliant diesel with a lithium-ion propulsion system for […]

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Caltrain to offer public tours of new electric trainsets in San Jose

Red and white electric multiple-unit trainset under dramatic sunset

SAN JOSE — Caltrain will hold the first public tour of its new Stadler electric trainsets this Saturday, July 29, at the San Jose Diridon Station. The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Caltrain reports on its website that as of Thursday, it had received approximately 3,600 RSVPs from those planning to […]

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Toronto subway line to remain closed at least three weeks following derailment

Blue rail rapid transit train

TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission said Thursday that service on the Scarborough line of its subway system will be suspended at least three more weeks as an investigation continues into a derailment on Monday. CityNews Toronto reports a TTC representative said a decision on restoring operation on the Scarborough RT line, also known as […]

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BNSF puts plans for Texas logistics facility on hold

Two orange diesel lead train past "Gunter" station sign

GUNTER, Texas — BNSF Railway is pulling back from plans to develop a 950-acre logistics center north of Dallas in light of community opposition. The railroad announced Wednesday that it was withdrawing an application to rezone and annex property in the community of 2,200 in Grayson County, about 45 miles from downtown Dallas, “based on […]

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