Audit finds safety issues with DC Metrorail maintenance procedures

WMATA logo

WASHINGTON — An audit of the DC Metrorail system’s maintenance practices has found those who perform railcar repairs and inspections do not keep organized records or follow safety procedures, according to the independent agency charged with monitoring DC Metro safety. The Washington Post reports the 44-page document from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission identified 12 […]

Read More…

Metrolink to test earthquake warning system

Metrolink_Riverside_Lassen

LOS ANGELES — Commuter rail operator Metrolink is joining the California Department of Transportation and U.S. Geological Survey for a pilot warning system that could slow and stop trains in the event of an earthquake. The Earthquake Early Warning System will be deployed between Perris and Riverside on Metrolink’s 91/Perris Valley Line. It will use […]

Read More…

Dixie Line

Man in coveralls stands by blue and gray streamlined diesel locomotive in profile

Dixie Line The Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis rostered 23 F7A and eight F7B units, built 1949-51. Mainline freight and passenger trains were dieselized with GP7s and F units starting in 1948 with the last steam operating in 1953. It was merged into parent Louisville & Nashville in 1957. Linn H. Westcott photo […]

Read More…

Intermodal congestion will persist for months, experts say

Containers on railcars in foreground with many stacked containers behind

LONG BEACH, Calif. — It will take at least six months to alleviate monumental intermodal congestion that stretches from Asian ports, across the Pacific to U.S. ports, and on to railroads and their inland terminals. “The intermodal industry is under unprecedented strain … worse than anything I’ve seen in 41 years that I’ve been in […]

Read More…

FRA issues advisory on PTC design issue

Federal Railroad Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory after identifying a design issue with positive train control that makes it possible for a crew member to circumvent PTC enforcement. The advisory, published earlier this month in the Federal Register, says the interface design issue allows crews to manually operate the cut-out valve […]

Read More…

Steam locomotive arrives at Hoosier Valley museum

Small, ornately decorated steam locomotive

NORTH JUDSON, Ind. — An operable steam locomotive has arrived at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, moving the museum closer to offering steam excursions for the first time in more than a decade. Bock Lumber Co. No. 1, an 0-4-4T Forney-type locomotive build by Baldwin in 1908, arrived at the museum on Monday. The museum […]

Read More…

Kentucky Steam Heritage operates first excursion trains

Small steam locomotive pulling two cars

RAVENNA, Ky. — Train operations are now underway at the Kentucky-based nonprofit where steam locomotive C&O 2716 is being restored, and officials there are looking forward to larger-scale operations in the near future. On Saturday, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. hosted train excursions for the first time in its six-year history to help celebrate the Ravenna […]

Read More…

GP9

Angular diesel locomotive in contrasting dark and light scheme

GP9 Alco was first on the market with the road-switcher concept, but it was EMD that capitalized with its “Geeps,” such as this Northern Pacific GP9. EMD sold more than 6,800 of its 1,500-hp GP7s and 1,750-hp GP9s. EMD photo […]

Read More…

NYC train map: Subways, NJ Transit, LIRR and more!

Detail portion of a NYC transit map.

The image above is a NYC train map. For the 2020 special issue, Railroad Maps 2, Trains Senior Editor David Lassen embarked on an ambitious project: Map New York City railroads. The map above shows New York City subway lines, and routes and major several passenger railroads. These include Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road, PATH, […]

Read More…