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 […]
Section: News & Reviews
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 […]
News & Products for the week of May 13, 2021
Books Plymouth Locomotives Vol. 1. Reprints of ads and brochures for Plymouth Locomotive Works. Includes Plymouth Mine-O-Motives, Plymouth Torqomotive, Plymouth bulletins, and MDT four- and six-wheel locomotives. Softcover, 86 pages. $35. Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive series. SilverLake Images LLC and Ron’s Books, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.com Tools 21-piece mini tool set. Includes five hex-nut drivers, six slotted screwdrivers, […]
News & Products for the week of May 13, 2021
Books Plymouth Locomotives Vol. 1. Reprints of ads and brochures for Plymouth Locomotive Works. Includes Plymouth Mine-O-Motives, Plymouth Torqomotive, Plymouth bulletins, and MDT four- and six-wheel locomotives. Softcover, 86 pages. $35. Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive series. SilverLake Images LLC and Ron’s Books, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.com Tools 21-piece mini tool set. Includes five hex-nut drivers, six slotted screwdrivers, […]
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, detail, book, tool, and club announcements for May 13, 2021
Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of May 13, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP40-2 and GP40-2L diesel […]
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 […]
Digest: Reading & Northern owner plans to spend $4-5 million to upgrade newly purchased line
Reading & Northern plans to upgrade new line for 40-mph operation, will look to begin passenger excursions Reading & Northern owner Andy Muller plans to spend $4 million to $5 million to upgrade the 19.5-mile line he is purchasing from Carbon County, Pa., with the goal of raising track speed from the current 25-mph limit […]
Digest: British rail service disrupted as cracks are found in high speed trainsets
Cracks in Hitachi high speed trainsets cause disruption of British rail service High speed rail service in the United Kingdom is facing major disruption this weekend after cracks were found in two Hitachi-built trainsets. The Guardian reports the hairline cracks were found in brackets that are part of a device that helps stabilize the trains, […]
Illinois museum putting finishing touches on Chicago Rapid Transit car
SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. — Jeff Bennett is sprawled across a new wood floor working with a voltage meter trying to trace an electrical short in a Chicago Transit Authority 4000-series “Plushie” steel rapid transit car. He wants the 1925 Chicago L car ready for Mother’s Day — the Fox River Trolley Museum’s opening day this […]