Schroepfer to head California State Railroad Museum Foundation

Man in dark blue suit and tie

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has named Tim Schroepfer as its president and CEO, effective immediately. Schroepfer joined the foundation as director of events and marketing in 2019, then became interim chief operation officer last year before his latest promotion. He succeeds Cheryl Marcell, who left the foundation in 2021. “Tim […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains sluggish

Table showing carload freight traffic by commodity, plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — U.S. railroads’ traffic slump to begin 2022 extended to a fifth week, as railroads moved 458,152 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Feb. 5, a 7.6% drop from the same week in 2021. Through five weeks of the new year, overall rail traffic is running 9.1% below 2021 levels, with intermodal traffic […]

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Lettenberger joins ‘Trains’ as associate editor

Man on locomotive

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Trains, the world’s largest railroad media brand, is pleased to announce the addition of Associate Editor Bob Lettenberger to the crew producing the magazine, website, documentary videos, and experiences. Lettenberger comes to Trains from the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wis., where he was education director. He brings to the magazine […]

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California high speed rail authority drops single-track proposal

California High Speed Rail Authority logo

SACRAMENTO — The latest version of the business plan for California’s high speed rail system has dropped a plan to build a single track for its initial 171-mile segment, instead returning to the original two-track plan. The Los Angeles Times reports the draft version of the 2022 business plan released Tuesday by the California High […]

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Santa Cruz council votes against rail abandonment

Maroon CF7 locomotive decorated with Christmas lights

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz City Council has voted unanimously to express opposition to a proposal that would lead to abandonment of the line connecting the city to the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific tourist railroad. Lookout Santa Cruz reports the vote has no legal bearing on the proposal floated by the […]

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Staffing shortages lead to LA Metro service cuts

LA Metro light rail train on curving bridge

LOS ANGELES — LA Metro has become the latest transit agency to announce service cuts related to staffing shortages, with trims to rail and bus service set to begin Feb. 20. Metro’s board approved the cuts Jan. 27, with a goal of resuming full service no later than June. “The recent COVID-19 spike, combined with […]

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Meet the Modeler: Kathy Millatt

Kathy, in red T-shirt, poses with a paintbrush and several structures

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first set was my Dad’s Hornby Dublo 3-rail set from the 1950s. He had loads of buildings and track that we put out every Christmas. Over time, I moved on to a 4-by-8-foot piece of plywood. The height of my modelling was using (bright orange!) builder’s […]

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