Iowa City buys land for possible Amtrak station

Map showing rail line between Iowa City, Iowa, and Chicago

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa City City Council  has approved the purchase of three residential properties for the site of a possible Amtrak station, the Daily Iowan newspaper reports. The three parcels are being purchased for $475,000. They would provide the location for a station should Amtrak launch a long-discussed Chicago-Quad Cities passenger service, […]

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As CSX earnings grow, executives see service improvements on horizon

Train on bridge along river

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation today posted double-digit growth in revenue and earnings for the third quarter and maintained its financial outlook despite high inflation and signs that the economy might be softening. Executives said they were confident that the railroad could regain volume as service improves, which would help offset a potential decline in […]

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2022 Lionel Legacy SD40-2 has railroad-specific details

Lionel Legacy SD40-2 front view

The 2022 Lionel Legacy SD40-2 is no stranger to the train-maker’s catalog. The most recent release is the first since 2018. For this round, announced in 2022 Volume 1, Lionel offered four road names and five paint schemes each with a powered and non-powered option. The railroads offered were Burlington Northern; BN in a Spirit […]

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Electro-Motive Division GP9 diesel locomotive from WalthersProto

Drawing of black and yellow diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division GP9 Phase II diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $219.98; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder, $319.98. Era: 1954 to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Electro-Motive Division GP9 Phase II diesel locomotives features: Road-specific details Wire grab irons […]

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Yard tractor from Athearn

Yellow and black yard tractor

Yard tractor Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $29.99 (add $3 for UPS) Era: 1990s+ to 2018+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Factory assembled Separate, factory-applied detail parts Interior details Rubber tires Photo-etched metal steps and rear deck Adjustable fifth wheel height Clear window glazing […]

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CSX site selected for Alabama beverage facility

CSX logo

MONTGOMERY, Ala — A Kentucky-based beverage firm has chosen a Montgomery site served by CSX Transportation for a new 180-acre, $600 million production and distribution facility for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The facility owned by the minority-owned Manna Capital Partners affiliate Manna Beverages & Ventures is expected to begin operations in early 2025. CSX assisted […]

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Railroads reject maintenance of way workers’ request for additional paid sick time

BMWEDlogo

The union representing railroad maintenance of way employees, who rejected their tentative contract agreement earlier this month, are seeking additional sick leave benefits in negotiations with the U.S. Class I railroads. The National Carriers’ Conference Committee, which represents the railroads in collective bargaining, on Wednesday told the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of […]

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News photo: Preparing for Amtrak’s return to Montreal

Passenger train on bridge near water, with high-rise apartments in background

MONTREAL — Operating as Amtk 694 (the train number Canadian National has always assigned to the southbound Adirondack while on CN rails), an Amtrak requalification run heads to Montreal’s Central Station on Thursday as it passes the mostly drained Peel Basin. While Amtrak service to Vancouver and Toronto was restored earlier this year, there is still […]

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