Charger locomotive No. 4627 leads an Amtrak test train through Wauwatosa, Wis., on Tuesday afternoon. Amtrak is testing the locomotives for use in long-distance service. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — People along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route are getting a preview of the future of long-distance passenger service this week as the railroad runs a test […]
STOCKTON, Calif. — Amtrak will begin offering bus-only tickets on some routes in California, following approval of the plan by the agency which oversees San Joaquin train service. KGET-TV reports the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority voted at a Friday meeting to allow the passenger railroad to sell bus-only tickets on its Bakersfield-Oxnard-Santa Barbara and […]
The official portrait of U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Sen. Tammy Duckworth WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and two other members of the Illinois congressional delegation have sent Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson a letter expressing their unhappiness over the recent incident in which passengers using wheelchairs were quoted a price of $25,000 to travel from […]
FIELD, British Columbia — Nearly a year after a runaway grain train derailed in the mountains of British Columbia, killing three Canadian Pacific railroaders, questions remain about what led to the tragedy. On Feb. 4, 2019, a westbound grain train near the Alberta-British Columbia border began to roll down Kicking Horse Pass shortly after a […]
MOBILE, Ala. — A group of Mississippi cities that would be served by revived Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast are urging the Mobile City Council to join in supporting the effort to begin New Orleans-Mobile passenger operations. The Mobile council is scheduled to vote today whether to pledge its financial support for the proposed […]
While Virginia plans will add a third and fourth track on much of the route between Washington and Richmond, two-track street running will remain in Ashland, Va. Bob Johnston Second of three articles on Virginia rail plans. The first article is available here. ASHLAND, Va. — Since the 1830s, passenger and freight trains have rumbled […]
Nos. 1202 and 1205 Age of Steam Roundhouse SUGAR CREEK, Ohio – The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum is selling two EMD SW1200 diesels it has deemed surplus, according to an announcement by the organization. The roundhouse is primarily a repository for a large collection of steam locomotives, but also has a fleet of diesels […]
EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — A Canadian National request to expand facilities in East Chicago is drawing fire from residents and environmental groups, who say the additional tracks will be used to store cars full of petroleum coke, a refining byproduct which can be used as fuel. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports CN said in […]
A Denver RTD A Line commuter train heads toward the city from Denver International Airport. A private company is proposing to build a commuter rail line to Longmont, Colo., rather than waiting for the RTD to do. TRAINS: David Lassen LOUISVILLE, Colo. — A private company’s pitch to build a long-delayed commuter rail line from […]
Privately-owned 4-4-0 Eureka from Nevada will guest star at Cumbres & Toltec’s 50th anniversary celebration. Trains: Jim Wrinn CHAMA, N.M. — Four narrow gauge locomotives built in the 19th century will take center stage at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad this August for what will likely be one of the highlights of the year […]
This map shows planned rail improvements under Virginia’s agreement with CSX Transportation. A full-size download is available here. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation First of three parts ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The $3.7 billion agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and CSX Transportation will dramatically expand rail capacity for Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and […]
DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has completed the restoration of a K-37 2-8-2, the largest type of locomotive to ever run on the Denver & Rio Grande Western’s famed narrow gauge route. On Jan. 24, D&SNG crews fired up No. 493 after an extensive restoration that saw it converted from […]
