Norfolk Southern high hoods The high-hood locomotive once numbered in the hundreds on the Norfolk Southern roster, charged with every duty from high-value manifest trains to slow coal drags. Some even helped pull the curtain down on the last steam-powered branch lines. Now, their numbers have been decimated down to the double digits, their duties […]
The latest Premier locomotive from Atlas has hit the shelves! The P42 Genesis locomotive was developed from a previous MTH tooling that Atlas O acquired during the MTH tooling sale three or so years ago. This O gauge Premier line model sports some great Amtrak paint schemes The P42 was expected to be announced in […]
“Who is going to keep steam alive in the 21st century? Who are the young guns?” These were the questions asked in Erik G. Ledbetter’s Steam’s young guns from Trains’ May 2006 issue as well as the 2008-aired episode of PBS’ Tracks Ahead. Having had opportunities to cut my teeth in the steam preservation movement […]
WASHINGTON — Virginia Railway Express service remains limited for the morning commute as a result of Tuesday’s Amtrak derailment at Washington Union Station, VRE reported in a service alert. “Traffic is still suspended going into and out of Union Station,” the alert reads, “and we are still unable to retrieve our equipment from the coachyard […]
Schnabel car One may think 89-foot auto racks are large while standing trackside, but they can be dwarfed by specialized railcars called upon for heavy-duty service where shipping by truck isn’t available, practical, or affordable. These are Schnabel railcars, which feature the ability to carry heavy loads. With up to 22 axles, these cars used […]
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Metrolink commuter rail service and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will resume operation through San Clemente on Monday, July 17, Metrolink and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency have announced. The announcement comes a day after the board of directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority, which has been overseeing work at a landslide […]
NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden would receive a new 10-year special permit to continue operations, but would be required to assist with improvements to Penn Station, under a proposal outlined by New York City officials on Monday. The website Gothamist reports the Department of City Planning wants to require the arena to make aesthetic […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Railcar pooling company TTX will move its headquarters to Charlotte, the City of Charlotte announced Tuesday. TTX, currently based in Chicago, will invest at least $13.8 million and create 150 jobs in Charlotte’s central business district. “We believe Charlotte presents a unique opportunity for TTX that provides for strategic partnerships to strengthen […]
TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada has broken ground on a new maintenance facility for its fleet of Quebec City-Windsor corridor trains. Groundbreaking for new facilities at VIA’s Toronto Maintenance Centre was held Monday. The project involves demolition of part of an existing structure; construction of a new state-of-the-art facility; infrastructure improvements throughout the maintenance yard; […]
NEW YORK — Limited service has resumed on Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line between Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Grand Central Terminal as of this evening (July 11), with near-regular operations slated on that line and a full schedule on the Upper Harlem Line for Wednesday, July 12. The first northbound train to Poughkeepsie departed Grand Central at […]
Rail preservation efforts often can come full circle. For 29-year-old Aaron Farmer, his career has circled back to the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) in Owosso, Mich. From the beginning as a young volunteer to now being employed as the Master Mechanic of Rolling Stock for the non-profit organization, his journey involves understanding the value of […]
WASHINGTON — Responding to an Amtrak request from late last year, the Surface Transportation Board announced today (July 11) it will open an investigation into Sunset Limited timekeeping issues. Today’s board decision also outlines the framework for the process — a detailed procedure that will continue well into 2024. Establishment of that framework is necessary […]
