CHICAGO — While the locomotive is so new that Amtrak doesn’t even have the keys yet, the passenger railroad showed off the first of its new long-distance Siemens Chargers on Tuesday at Chicago Union Station as part of a media event on upcoming improvements to long-distance service. The first of the ALC42 locomotives is still […]
Section: News
Wabtec, GM sign deal to develop battery, hydrogen technology for locomotives
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corp. and General Motors have announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on power systems for Wabtec locomotives, developing GM’s Ultium battery technology and Hydrotec hydrogen fuel cell systems. Wabtec CEO Rafael Santana said in a press release that the company’s FLXdrive batter-electric locomotive, which recently completed testing on […]
Milwaukee’s 2021 Trainfest cancelled
The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Southeastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association has announced via its Facebook page that the 2021 Trainfest is cancelled. “We really wanted to have Trainfest this year; however we think the risks are too great to hold the show,” the Facebook announcement said. The posting added the […]
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, and detail announcements for June 17, 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 June 17, 2021. HO scale freight cars General American Tank Car welded […]
News & Products for the week of June 17, 2021
Large scale freight cars Tank car on flatcar base. Sunoco. Factory-applied handrails, plastic wheelsets, turnbuckles on tank bands, and hook-and-loop couplers. $122.99. August 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com […]
First Amtrak ALC-42 diesel locomotive set for release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Siemens is putting the finishing touches on Amtrak’s first ALC-42 locomotive, with its departure scheduled for this weekend. The first locomotive, AMTK No. 300, will be hauled in the consist of Amtrak’s California Zephyr departing Emeryville on June 12, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. After arriving in […]
Acquisition unlocks growth for Canadian Pacific in Eastern Canada
CALGARY, Alberta – A year after acquiring regional railroad Central Maine & Quebec – and regaining a part of its historic shortcut linking Montreal and the Atlantic – traffic growth is exceeding Canadian Pacific’s expectations. CP’s plans to gain transatlantic international intermodal business from Port Saint John, New Brunswick, have come to fruition. New finished vehicle traffic […]
Digest: Feds reinstate $929 million for California high speed rail
CAHSRA settlement reverses action of Trump administration The U.S. Department of Transportation has reached an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to reinstate $929 million in grant funds revoked by the Trump administration. The agreement, dated June 10, stipulates the return of the funds within three days. “This settlement agreement follows intensive negotiations […]
CP, BNSF tell federal regulators they can handle rising traffic volumes
WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway say they have enough crews, power, and other resources to handle surging demand for rail traffic. CP and BNSF are the first two Class I railroads to respond to the Surface Transportation Board’s request for updates about their ability to meet demand. Citing rail service problems, STB Chairman Martin […]
News photos: CSX business train crosses Ohio and Indiana
UNION CITY, Ind. – The CSX Transportation business train is rolling west across Ohio and Indiana on Thursday, operating with a P001 train symbol. The newly-repainted train was spotted on the former Conrail (New York Central) “Bee Line” between Cleveland and Indianapolis at midday. A pair of modern ES44AC diesel locomotives is leading the two […]
Nashville Steam lift scheduled for June 17
NASHVILLE — Former Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis 4-8-4 No. 576 will get a big boost next week, thanks to two cranes that will suspend its 220,000 pounds about eight feet in the air. The locomotive’s wheels and trucks – the same ones made famous as a backdrop to a photograph of Johnny Cash on […]
Canadian Pacific goes old school in ad against CN-KCS merger
Canadian Pacific’s campaign against Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern took a new turn today with a half-page ad in The Washington Post that featured an editorial cartoon-style illustration – complete with caricatures of the three railroads’ chief executives. CP and CN skirmished on social media while KCS was considering their rival bids. […]