Legislator’s bill would support multi-state passenger rail efforts U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation to create multi-state passenger rail commissions to improve regional coordination for passenger rail service. The Intercity Rail Commission Act would encourage the formation of up to 10 reginal passenger commissions by providing up to $500,000 in matching funds to […]
How to visit the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Visiting the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Chama, New Mexico, might be some of the most sacred ground for 1920s railroad and steam locomotive enthusiasts. That’s the western end of the mighty Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, and it’s the site of an authentic shop, yard, and depot. It’s the start of the dramatic eastbound climb across […]
Author, photographer Tom Nelligan dies at age 70
Tom Nelligan, who extensively rode, photographed, and wrote about Northeastern and Canadian railroads in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, died April 9, 2021, at the age of 70. The author of seven books about railroading, he was also a frequent contributor to both Trains and Passenger Train Journal. A native of Connecticut, Nelligan covered the […]
Trains to sponsor two-day photo event featuring Durango & Silverton No. 493
DURANGO, Colo. — On Sept. 2 and 3, Trains Magazine will sponsor Extra 493, a two-day event on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad that will be the first photo freight charter for the K37 steam locomotive brought back to life in 2020. Visiting narrow gauge 4-6-0 Southern Pacific No. 18 also will make […]
Digest: NJ Transit has plan to test battery-electric equipment, but needs funding
NJ Transit awaits funding for plans to test battery-electric commuter equipment NJ Transit wants to test battery-electric rail equipment on its North Jersey Coast Line — if it can find the funding, NJ.com reports. The program would be similar to that announced last month by the Long Island Rail Road [see “Long Island Rail Road […]
Digest: Virginia Railway Express to resume full service on June 1
Virginia Railway Express to restore full schedule on June 1 Virginia Railway Express will restore service to pre-pandemic levels as of Tuesday, June 1, the commuter rail operator has announced. The agreement allowing VRE passengers to use some Amtrak trains remains suspended. Schedule information is available here. VRE reduced service to its “S” schedule, with […]
Chicago suburb claims CN-KCS combination would create traffic nightmare (updated)
WASHINGTON — The Chicago suburb of Barrington, Ill. — which battled Canadian National’s acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern in 2009 and has protested increased rail traffic ever since — has warned federal regulators that CN’s proposed merger with Kansas City Southern would create “a traffic congestion nightmare for the people of the greater […]
Digest: UP bridge in Oregon damaged by fire
Union Pacific bridge sustains moderate damage, but remains in service after fire A Union Pacific Railroad bridge in Springfield, Ore., suffered moderate damage in a fire early Monday morning, although the railroad is able to continue operations over the bridge at reduced speed. The Eugene Register-Guard reports firefighters from the Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded […]
FRA unable to obtain all Gulf Coast capacity data
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration “has been unable to obtain access to all the data and analysis necessary” to properly review the issues involved in Amtrak’s effort to restart Gulf Coast passenger service, the agency said in a Monday filing to the Surface Transportation Board. A letter penned by FRA Acting General Counsel John […]
Digest: British rail disruptions continue, could last for weeks
British intercity rail disruptions could last for weeks after high speed trains are sidelined Disruptions to British intercity rail service are continuing for a third day and could last for week after Hitachi high speed trainsets were removed from service over cracks were found in the suspension of some trains. The Guardian reports Great Western […]
Analysis: Long road ahead for improving Northeast Corridor speeds
WASHINGTON — When President Joseph Biden touted the possibility of 1½ -hour trips between Washington, D.C., and New York in his April 30th address in Philadelphia for Amtrak’s 50th anniversary, he said elimination of three curves could potentially make that possible. That prompted Trains News Wire to follow up with Amtrak on the current engineering […]
Tavern-lounge, display cars see progress as ‘Mark Twain Zephyr’ work continues (with video)
TREGO, Wis. — The Effie Dean — the “extra car” the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad acquired with its purchase of the Mark Twain Zephyr trainset — is currently receiving attention as the railroad’s work to restore the train continues. On Friday, workers were installing a wall in the Effie Dean as part of work to […]