Getting grain to market

Men work to unload a truck of wheat for reloading into railcar

Getting grain to market A truck dumps its load of wheat through the floor grate into the bin at an elevator in Fowlerville, Mich., in 1950. The framework in the background is for elevating wagons and trucks that don’t dump on their own. The town is located on the Chesapeake & Ohio’s Pere Marquette main […]

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Influential congressman opposes CSX acquisition of Pan Am Railways

Congressman in dark suit in front of U.S. flag

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has told federal regulators that he opposes CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. “Considering the repercussions that would result from CSX Transportation’s purchase of Pan Am Railways and its impact on my district, along with my […]

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Every figure can tell a story

Figures near a model hopper car

When it comes to figures, it seems most modelers fall into one of two camps. Some use only figures in static poses, like sitting or standing. The others enjoy making active scenes, like busy station platforms or marching bands. I don’t remember putting very many figures on my previous layout [featured in Great Model Railroads […]

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News photo: Rocky Mountainteer test run in Colorado

Two yellow locomotives leading blue, gold, and white passenger cars

ARVADA, Colo. — Two leased Union Pacific locomotives lead a Rocky Mountaineer trainset through Arvada on Tuesday as the train made the fourth of eight test trips for familiarizing crews and onboard employees before the launch of the company’s new “Rockies to Red Rocks” service between Denver and Moab, Utah. The locomotives have been leased […]

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CSX says service to chemical and fertilizer shippers is improving

Train with one engine under blue sky with white clouds

WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation has told federal regulators that it has improved service for chemical and fertilizer shippers, who had complained about widespread delays and congestion in a June letter to the Surface Transportation Board. The American Chemistry Council, the trade group representing chemical producers, had asked the board to put CSX under additional oversight […]

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Norfolk Southern to close Cresson, Pa., engine house

Norfolk Southern logo

CRESSON, Pa. — Norfolk Southern will close its engine house in Cresson, Pa., eliminating seven jobs, the Altoona Mirror reports. The closure will come at the end of July. A Norfolk Southern spokesman told the newspaper in an email that the move “is part of our long-term business plans to evolve our operations to best […]

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News photos: Amtrak ‘Day One’ Charger continues east for delivery

Train with two Amtrak locomotives, second in special black paint scheme

CHICAGO — After a much-delayed arrival in the city, Amtrak’s “Day One” Siemens ALC42 Charger locomotive continued toward its official handover to Amtrak on Tuesday evening, heading east on the Capitol Limited. Trailing P42 locomotive No. 142 were ALC42 No. 301 and a six-car consist including a dormitory car, sleeper, Cross-Country Café, baggage-coach, and full […]

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La Guardia AirTrain project gets FAA approval

Map showing La Guardia AirTrain and connections

NEW YORK — After a recent pause to consider objections from environmentalists, residents, and legislators, the Federal Aviation Administration has approved La Guardia Airport’s  Air Train project. The New York Times reports the approval means preliminary work could begin later this summer for the construction of the 1.5-mile line connecting the airport to subway and […]

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Great Lakes outpost

Blue diesel switcher locomotive by Great Lakes carferry boat

Great Lakes outpost Chesapeake & Ohio SW9 No. 5251 idles by the carferry City of Midland 41 in Milwaukee in 1978. The C&O’s Milwaukee trackage was reached only by the carferries across Lake Michigan. Brian Buchanan photo […]

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