Video: Pikes Peak snow blower makes debut

Yellow snow blower and red boxcab locomotive

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. — The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway’s new rotary snow blower made its debut on Friday, April 9, clearing the rebuild cog rail line for the first time. The new snowblower, produced by Zaugg in Eggiwill, Switzerland, has the capability of cutting through drifts up to 10 feet tall and 20 […]

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Digest: NJ Transit study could lead to end of ‘Princeton Dinky’

Two-car EMU trainset rounds curve

NJ Transit study considers alternatives to ‘Princeton Dinky’ rail service NJ Transit is conducting a study that could lead to replacement of the “Princeton Dinky,” the 2.7-mile rail operation using two-car Arrow III trainsets to connect the Northeast Corridor’s Princeton Junction station to the Princeton University campus that is the shortest scheduled commuter rail line […]

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Diesel locomotive slug profile

Two orange slugs operate with two orange diesel locomotives

Non-powered slugs help diesel locomotives move trains at lower speeds. Trains move at various speeds for different reasons. Moving trains from coast to coast requires high-horsepower locomotives to maintain high speeds. Local trains serving online customers or switch jobs in yards can use lower horsepower locomotives, since their top speed is much lower than a […]

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NS Trash Train consigned to the dumpster of history

Black locomotive pulling cars of trash through fall colors

ROANOKE, Va. — For more than a quarter century, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern crew would report in Roanoke and start train V60, commonly known as the “Star City Stinker” or “Trash Train.” No more. The Monday-through-Friday operation would start just east of Roanoke’s famed East End Shops and travel 30 miles west […]

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Progress continues on Mark Twain Zephyr restoration

Man painting inside of passenger car

TREGO, Wis. — Wisconsin Great Northern continues to make progress in its effort to restore the Mark Twain Zephyr to operation. The railroad acquired the four-car articulated trainset, plus a spare car from the original Pioneer Zephyr, in 2020. Built in 1935, the train is the fourth of nine complete Zephyr trainsets built by the […]

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Digest: Metrolink’s Wiggins to become LA Metro CEO

Metrolink_Wiggins_USC

Metrolink’s Wiggins named as new LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, currently CEO of Los Angeles-area commuter railroad Metrolink, will become the first female CEO of LA Metro, the Los Angeles-area transportation agency which operates buses, light rail, has a hand in highway projects and is one of the five county transportation agencies which oversees Metrolink. […]

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Digest: Amtrak service in Vermont to resume July 19

Amtrak train on bridge crossing river

Vermont agency announces July 19 return for Amtrak service Amtrak service in Vermont will resume July 19, the state Agency of Transportation has announced. Intercity bus service will also resume on that date. “We are very pleased to announce the restart of these vital transportation services for Vermonters and those who wish to travel to […]

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Intermodal gains help Class I traffic in first quarter

Table showing railroad-by-railroad traffic gains in the first quarter of 2021

All of the big six Class I railroads notched volume gains in the first quarter as robust intermodal growth overcame slight declines in carload volume. Intermodal volume is on a tear as retailers aim to keep store shelves and online order fulfillment centers full due to consumers spending more on goods than services during the […]

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