Model Railroader Video Vault highlights

An image of two men standing behind a modeling workbench

Model Railroader Video Vault highlights: Kalmbach has been producing model railroading videos for a long time, longer even than some readers realize. Luckily for us contemporary model railroaders, some of these videos have been digitized, and range from how-to videos to layout visits. These videos contain a wealth of knowledge from model railroading stars of […]

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Businesses sue to block drawbridge plan to accommodate Brightline service

Cranes on barge in river next to railroad drawbridge.

STUART, Fla. — A group of marine businesses in Martin County, Fla., are suing to block a request to alter operating plans for a drawbridge over the St. Lucie River to allow for operation of Brightline passenger trains between Orlando and Miami. The TC Palm newspaper reports the 13 businesses filed suit Friday in federal […]

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News photos: Flooding along the Mississippi

A BNSF train tiptoes through high water at Savanna, Ill., on April 29, 2023. Jeremy J. Schrader.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said high water and flooding may have been a factor in last week’s derailment of a BNSF derailment near De Soto, Wis., although investigation is continuing. That incident sent some cars into the Mississippi River [see “BNSF reopens track at site of Wisconsin derailment,” Trains News Wire,” April 29, 2023]. But […]

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Everett Railroad to hold fundraiser for PRR K4s No. 1361

Steam locomotive with train on curve

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — The Everett Railroad will run a steam-powered fundraiser trip to support the restoration of  the Railroaders Memorial Museum’s Pennsylvania Railroad Class K4s steam locomotive No. 1361. On Saturday, May 6, the railroad will operate a 1-hour passenger excursion as part of the museum’s “Juniata Jewel Jubilee” to mark the 105th anniversary of […]

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Maine agencies inform CPKC of environmental violation in derailment cleanup

Derailed locomotives and freight cars

AUGUSTA, Maine — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has been cited by Maine agencies for violating anti-pollution rules because of “a large release of sediment” into streams during its clean-up of derailment in northern Maine, while another agency is saying the railroad must repair the roads it is using and prevent further releases. The Portland Press-Herald […]

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Santa Fe No. 2926 to make short trip for Albuquerque fundraiser

Steam locomotive blowing out steam

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 will take leave its restoration yard for the first time in more than 20 years next Saturday, May 6, making a short trip for a display at a brew pub about a half-mile away. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society will display the locomotive […]

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New York’s MTA quits using Twitter for service updates

Electric multiple-unit trainset approaches station. NYC commuters safe — for now: LIRR strike postponed.

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has stopped using Twitter to post service updates “as the reliability of the platform can no longer be guaranteed,” an MTA official said late last week. The MTA Twitter account will remain active for other forms of messaging, and customers will be able to tweet to MTA accounts […]

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BNSF reopens track at site of Wisconsin derailment (updated)

BNSF Railway logo

DE SOTO, Wis. — BNSF Railway operations resumed today (Saturday, April 29) past the site of a Thursday derailment that injured four crew members and sent some cars into the Mississippi River. Clean-up at the site is continuing. The derailment occurred about 12:15 p.m. Thursday between the towns of De Soto and Ferryville, Wis., blocking […]

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Unifor ratifies contract with Canadian National

Logo of Canadian union Unifor

MONTREAL — Members of the Canadian union Unifor have ratified a two-year contract with Canadian National Railway, the union announced Friday. The union and railway had announced an agreement March 20. The deal covers more than 3,000 mechanical, intermodal, facility management, and clerical positions represented by Unifor’s Local 100 and Council 4000 [see “Canadian National, […]

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Driver of truck in accident that killed NS conductor pleads not guilty

Diagram of grade-crossing accident

CLEVELAND — The driver of a dump truck involved in a Cleveland grade-crossing accident that killed a Norfolk Southern conductor has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter. WOIO-TV reports driver Ryan Hundley entered the plea Thursday in an appearance in Cleveland Municipal Court. Bond was set at $10,000. The March 7 accident occurred shortly after […]

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Two Metra lines disrupted as Amtrak locomotive derails at Chicago Union Station

Commuter train arrives at station

CHICAGO — The locomotive of an Amtrak Michigan Service train derailed at Chicago Union Station on Friday, leading to some Metra delays and cancellations  as well as Amtrak delays. No injures were reported. Patch.com reports the derailment occurred as the Amtrak train arrived from Michigan. Metra informed customers on Twitter that three SouthWest Service trains […]

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Surfliner, Metrolink could face another extended stoppage in Orange County

Amtrak passenger train moves along tracks on coastal bluff in light fog.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The latest landslide interrupting rail service between Los Angeles and San Diego continued on Friday, increasing chances that Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner service between the two cities, and Metrolink service to Oceanside, could face another extended interruption. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the hill continued to slide behind the Casa Romantica […]

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