WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some $138 million in funding is now available for transit agencies in Washington state, the first money coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray announced, saying the state will receive $1.79 billion over the next five years. “These funds are critical to helping meet the ridership […]
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Canadian Pacific 2816 The Empress steam locomotive profile

Introducing The Empress Canadian Pacific 2816 The Empress: Canadian Pacific President and CEO Rob Ritchie set the steam preservation world on its ear when in 1998 he revealed the railway’s plan to repatriate CP H1b Hudson No. 2816 from its long-time home at the National Park Service’s Steamtown museum and rebuild the 1930-vintage locomotive for […]
9 oddball diesel locomotives in North America

9 oddball diesel locomotives: Just when we think we understand the rationale behind particular railroad locomotive fleets, they like to throw us a ringer or two. Standardization is the key to a streamlined and efficient operating department, and while an endless parade of one particular model may become a little monotonous for fans, railroad accountants […]
Ask MR: What does a scale test car do?

Q: What was the purpose of a scale car? Was it to check the track, and where was it located in the train? Were all Class 1 railroads required to have these cars? Were there measuring instruments in those cars? I do realize that with today’s technology they are obsolete. – Gilles Bouthillier […]
Google joins Michigan Central Station project

DETROIT — Google is joining Ford Motor Co.’s effort to transform the landmark Michigan Central Station into a hub of technology and innovation. The news site mlive.com reports Google will be a “founding member” of the Michigan Central Innovation District, a 30-acre campus being developed by Ford at the long-neglected station. “This is not going […]
Pennsylvania rail authority acquires operating rights to NS line

LEWISBURG, Pa. — A Pennsylvania rail authority which owns five short lines served by contract operators has acquired the operating rights to 9 miles of Norfolk Southern trackage in Snyder County, Pa. In its December meeting, the Susquehanna Economic Development Agency-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority agreed to purchase rail assets and a freight […]
Southern Pacific history remembered

Southern Pacific history is made up of many little stories. Each for one of its many distinct mainline routes. Until the supermergers of recent decades, Southern Pacific was one of the largest railroads in the U. S., ranking third behind Pennsylvania and New York Central in operating revenue and second behind Santa Fe in route mileage. […]
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale Union Pacific 4-12-2 steam locomotive

Big steam pays a visit to our HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Broadway Limited’s feature-rich HO scale Union Pacific 4-12-2 steam locomotive includes a synchronized smoke unit, brass and die-cast metal construction, and two factory-installed and painted crew figures. […]
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale Union Pacific 4-12-2 steam locomotive

Big steam pays a visit to our HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Broadway Limited’s feature-rich HO scale Union Pacific 4-12-2 steam locomotive includes a synchronized smoke unit, brass and die-cast metal construction, and two factory-installed and painted crew figures. […]
Sketching with Steve: The Free-Mo modular standard

There are several modular model railroading standards out there, but one you might have heard more about recently is the Free-Mo modular standard. Like most modular standards, the Free-Mo modular standard lets you build a section of model railroad that will connect and operate with others built to the same standard. The cool thing about […]
CSX seeks shipper support regarding proposed Amtrak Gulf Coast service (updated)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation aims to round up shipper support before a Surface Transportation Board hearing this month regarding Amtrak’s controversial quest to launch passenger service on the Gulf Coast. In an email to the railroad’s customers, CEO Jim Foote asked shippers to sign a petition or to write to the STB directly regarding […]
East Broad Top announces Winter Spectacular schedule

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The EBT Foundation has released the list of activities for its East Broad Top Railroad Winter Spectacular, to be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19. This is the second Spectacular to be held since the Foundation acquired the historic narrow gauge railroad, a National Historic Landmark, in 2020. Last year’s event […]