BURLINGTON, Vt. — Robert C. Jones, educator, railroader, and prolific author, died on Jan. 13 at age 86 of natural causes at his Vermont home. A graduate of the University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College, he was a teacher for 32 years. He wrote, co-wrote, or edited 24 books of northern New England Railroad […]
Section: News & Reviews
Digest: Utah governor gives early edge to gondola over cog railway, buses to serve ski areas
Still more Monday morning rail news: Utah governor indicates preference for gondola system to service ski areas, but says decision has not been made Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is leaning toward seeing a gondola system, rather than a cog railway or enhanced bus service, as the solution to traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the route […]
Digest: Massachusetts governor signs transportation bill, vetoes call for full MBTA service
Monday morning rail news: Massachusetts governor signs transportation bond bill, blocks legislation requiring MBTA to reverse service cuts Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a $16.5 billion transportation bond bill while vetoing specific elements of the legislation, and has vetoed a bill which would have required the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to use its federal […]
East Broad Top foundation seeks period-specific standard gauge freight cars
By: Dan Cupper ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The non-profit that owns the East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania is looking to acquire a few standard-gauge freight cars, to be used to show how the narrow gauge line handled standard gauge cars using special transfer trucks and cast-aluminum coupler adapters. “We’re looking to replicate the post-World […]
Railroads dramatically reduced collisions in decades leading up to PTC implementation
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board took a victory lap last week over the implementation of positive train control, the landmark safety system that it first recommended after the head-on collision of two Penn Central commuter trains in 1969. “Over the next five decades we investigated one crash after another that could have been […]
Digest: Colorado town will help fund legal challenge to Tennessee Pass revival
More Monday morning rail news: Avon, Colo., officials approve paying half of fees for legal challenges to Tennessee Pass plan Officials in Avon, Colo., have agreed to having the town of 6,500 pay half the fees to any legal challenge to a plan to revive rail service over Tennessee Pass. The Vail Daily reports Eagle […]
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, accessory, and decal announcements for January 21, 2021
Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, structures, electronics, train sets, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 21, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division FP45 diesel locomotive. Atchison, […]
Digest: Amtrak, VRE, DC Metro alter operations in advance of inauguration
Amtrak alters schedules south of Washington on Jan. 19-20 Amtrak will not operate Northeast Regional service south of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19-20, because of travel restrictions stemming from the Presidential inauguration. Also, the Carolinian will only operate between Raleigh and Charlotte on those dates. An Amtrak advisory also informs passengers to allow extra time […]
Digest: FTA releases final environmental document for SEPTA King of Prussia project
Saturday rail news: FTA releases final environmental statement, record of decision for SEPTA King of Prussia project The Federal Transit Administration has identified the preferred route for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s planned extension to King of Prussia, Pa., as part of a combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the 3.5-mile […]
Digest: Biden announces stimulus plan with $20 billion for transit
Friday morning rail news: Biden coronavirus plan includes $20 billion for transit Some $20 billion in “relief for the hardest hit public transit agencies” is part of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan released by President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday, a wide-ranging legislative package including $1,400 per-person payments to most households, a national COVID-19 vaccination […]
News Photo: New locomotive for NJ Transit
NEWARK, N.J. — The first of 25 new ALP-45A locomotives for NJ Transit has arrived at Port Newark, N.J. The Tier IV-compliant locomotives, built by Bombardier in Germany, was offloaded at the port’s Berth 17. The new engines will replace some of NJ Transit’s older locomotives, as well as some PL42s, according to the NJ […]
Digest: MARC to suspend operations because of inauguration security
More Friday rail news: MARC to suspend operations Jan. 17-20 because of inauguration security Maryland’s MARC Train commuter rail service will suspend operations on all three of its routes — the Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines — beginning Sunday, Jan. 17, in response to expanded security efforts associated with the upcoming Presidential inauguration, the Maryland […]