Uncovered for the first time in its history, the former Canadian National Railways Mount Royal Tunnel basks in the late afternoon sun on Oct. 24th, 2020, as excavation work progresses for an in-tunnel station linking the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) network, now under construction, to the Société de Transport de Montréal’s McGill Metro Station and […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Tours, restoration progress highlight ‘Mark Twain Zephyr’ anniversary weekend
TREGO, Wis. — More than 100 visitors, some from as far away as Ohio and Kansas, were on hand at the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad this weekend to mark the 85th anniversary of the christening of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s Mark Twain Zephyr and see progress in the restoration of the shovel-nosed streamliner. The train’s dedication […]
North County Transportation District buys more Chargers, helping Siemens reach milestone
San Diego’s North County Transit District has ordered two more Siemens Charger locomotives, bringing to nine the number the agency will use to power its Coaster commuter trains. The order marks Siemens’ 300th passenger locomotive sold in North America, and will allow the district to nearly double frequencies of Coaster service. “In addition to increasing […]
Niles Canyon Railway photo charter to feature ‘Skookum,’ benefit restoration of SP No. 1744
SUNOL, Calif. — The Pacific Locomotive Association and the Niles Canyon Railway will operate railfan photo specials featuring “Skookum,” Columbia River Belt Line 2-4-4-2 No. 7, on Dec. 5-6 to benefit restoration of recently acquired Southern Pacific M-6 steam locomotive No. 1744. Both days will feature a historically accurate freight train, while ticketholders will ride […]
News Photo: CN heritage units on the move
Canadian National still isn’t talking about them, but the railroad’s fleet of locomotives with heritage paint schemes is taking shape. On Oct. 24, CN train M396 is east of Schoolcraft, Mich., with Wisconsin Central; Illinois Central; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; and British Columbia Railway units en route to Montreal. […]
Las Vegas high speed project, rebranded Brightline West, reveals details on construction plans
The proposed high speed rail operation between Southern California and Las Vegas has been rebranded as Brightline West and has launched a website with details on construction of the project, along with a virtual public meeting for information and comments. The site reports construction will be broken into six segments, three in California and three in Nevada. […]
Digest: Report says CRRC production issues predated pandemic
Monday midday rail news: News report outlines CRRC production issues which have put MBTA subway cars a year behind schedule Production problems at CRRC’s Springfield, Mass., factory were accumulating well before the facility was shut down for several weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to delays that mean it will take a decade from […]
Digest: Online concert will raise funds for restoration of NC&StL No. 576
Monday rail preservation and museum news: Marty Stuart, Old Crow Medicine Show to hold online concert for No. 576 restoration project Grammy-winning Nashville musicians will hold an online concert Nov. 8 to raise funds for the ongoing restoration project of Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis 4-8-4 locomotive No. 576, which is in $10,000 of its […]
Digest: NJ Transit board told revenue PTC testing is under way on eight of 12 lines
More Monday morning rail news: NJ Transit PTC extended revenue testing is in progress on eight of 12 lines NJ Transit says it is now testing positive train control on 66% of its track-miles as it works to meet the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline for PTC implementation. NJ.com reports that eight of the agency’s 12 commuter rail […]
Digest: Brightline to begin work on Tampa route in 2022
Still more Monday morning rail news: Brightline to begin work on Tampa route in 2022; reaching Disney World a priority Work on Brightline’s planned Orlando-Tampa line line will not begin until 2022, with a goal of operation beginning in 2025. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports Michael Cegelis, Brightline’s executive vice president of rail infrastructure, laid out […]
Digest: California Coastal Commission asks transit agency to withdraw petition to STB
Monday morning rail news: Coastal Commission asks North County Transit District to withdraw STB petition on maintenance, fence projects The California Coastal Commission has asked the North County Transit District to withdraw its petition to the Surface Transportation Board regarding maintenance and safety-fence projects, saying it believes the public’s interest is best suited by collaboration […]
Analysts say UP’s Vena may seek CEO position at a Class I railroad
OMAHA, Neb. — Outgoing Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena, who accelerated Precision Scheduled Railroading operational changes across the system, will not rule out popping up at another Class I railroad. Vena was asked last week about his plans once his stint is up at UP, which the Canadian National veteran joined in January […]