FTA announces $20.5 billion in funding for transit projects in fiscal 2024

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration on Thursday announced $20.5 billion in federal funding will be available in fiscal 2024 for transit projects. Funding can be used to modernize, maintain, and operate transit systems; upgrade station, track, and maintenance facilities; plan and design new corridors; and prvide access for seniors and riders with disabilities. State-by-state […]

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Reader’s choices: Lionel’s perfect postwar train set

black steam engine

Lionel’s perfect postwar train set features a classic steam engine and a whistle tender pulling five different and very colorful freight cars or five streamlined passenger cars. How, you may be wondering, do we at Trains.com and Classic Toy Trains know this fact? Because a good number of loyal and experienced readers, familiar with the […]

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The latest CSX heritage locomotive: Western Maryland

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs today released the first photos of the railroad’s Western Maryland heritage locomotive. The unit, No. 1852 in honor of the Western Maryland’s founding year, was rolled out of the paint shop in Waycross, Ga., and into the sun. It includes the railroad’s fireball logo. “Here is the latest Heritage Locomotive from […]

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Scratchbuilt locomotive model donated to railroad museum

model of electric train

The Northern Ohio Railway Museum (NORM) has received a one-of-a-kind model from a late Garden Railways contributor. The family of the late Dr. Evan Roderick recently donated a 1:29 scale model of Cleveland Union Terminal P1-a locomotive No. 204. Mr. Roderick passed away in 2008. In late 2023, his family contacted several Cleveland area museums, […]

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Ed King’s book canonizes N&W steam

Cover of fiction book Thirteen Scoops Around the Box

Rumors of the death of railroad fiction are greatly exaggerated. The veteran railroad journalist Fred Frailey made that clear a year ago with his “Seldom Willing,” an absorbing tale of an ambitious 1980s Midwestern regional railroad that outmaneuvered a far larger rival. When Fred told me his novel was coming out soon, I wasn’t sure […]

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Indiana Rail Road executives Engle, Kaelin retire

INDIANAPOLIS — Michael D. Engel and Larry F. Kaelin, who played key roles in the success of the Indiana Rail Road during their tenure as executives, have retired, the railroad has announced. Both men retired as of March 31. Engel held the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer; Kaelin was vice president, […]

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Metra gears up for 2024 construction season

Metra Electric train arriving at station

CHICAGO — With spring having arrived, at least according to the calendar, commuter operator Metra on Wednesday outlined plans for capital projects planned for the 2024 construction season. The Metra budget calls for $332.4 million in projects this fiscal year, including $140.7 million for bridge projects; $81.6 million for station and parking improvements; $66.2 million […]

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U.S. rail traffic increases in March

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was up 4.2% in March compared to the same month in 2023, the second straight month of year-over-year gains, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Traffic for the week ending March 30 was also up, the 10th straight week showing gains compared to a year ago. The […]

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