Final days of steam in western China

A steam locomotive billows smoke and steam under a twilight sky in an industrial rail yard.

Editors’ note: The author and photographers are graduates of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s rail engineering program. This is their first Trains byline. In North America, the days of steam railroading are a distant memory, and coal traffic is slowly headed the way of steam. In Europe and Japan, steam enthusiasts eagerly attend steam […]

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Amtrak announces June 1 return for some Acela service NEWSWIRE

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A northbound Amtrak Acela Express passes through Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019. Amtrak will resume some Acela service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin restoration of Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1, with three Acela round trips between Washington and […]

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Ohio railfan events cancelled over COVID-19 concerns NEWSWIRE

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DAYTON, Ohio – Two railfan events scheduled for summer 2020 are cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The annual Carillon Park Rail Festival in Dayton is cancelled for 2020. The event, which features miniature train rides with live steam locomotives, historical exhibits, and a swap meet, is traditionally held the weekend after Father’s Day. […]

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Survey finds most Metrolink riders are essential workers NEWSWIRE

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A Metrolink train arrives at Burbank in January 2020. A survey by Metrolink has found that 70% of those still using the commuter rail system classify themselves as essential workers. TRAINS: David Lassen More Friday morning rail news: — Some 70% of riders using LA-area commuter railroad Metrolink classify themselves as “essential workers,” with more […]

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Digest: Texas Central is a railroad, court rules

Texas Central logo

Friday morning rail news: — Texas Central Railway won a significant court ruling Thursday when a state appeals court said the company is a railroad in legal terms, even though it does not yet operate any trains. The decision by Judge Nora Longoria for the Thirteenth Appeals Court of Texas overturns a lower court ruling […]

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Amtrak to require passengers to wear facial coverings NEWSWIRE

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A masked passenger waits on the North Concourse of Chicago Union Station on April 20, 2020. Beginning May 11, Amtrak will require passengers to wear facial coverings on trains and in stations. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin requiring passengers to wear masks or other facial coverings as of May 11. The requirement […]

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BNSF lays off workers in Glendive, Topeka NEWSWIRE

BNSF Railway logo

More Thursday morning rail news: — BNSF Railway will close its Glendive, Mont., diesel shop and is also laying off workers in Topeka, Kan. KXGN-TV is reporting that, in a letter to employees, BNSF’s Gary Grissum, vice president of mechanical, told affected shop employees in a letter that the closure reflected the current business environment […]

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