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Athearn Genesis General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive

By | November 28, 2022
A model locomotive in a green and red Ferromex paint scheme

Athearn Genesis General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $269.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $369.99 Era: 1995+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric AC4400CW features: Light-Emitting Diode lighting including illuminated number boards, ground lights, […]

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Thieves in India steal a locomotive — one piece at a time

By | November 28, 2022

BEGUSARAI, India — Thieves in the state of Bihar stole an entire diesel locomotive, piece by piece, by digging a tunnel into a rail yard and removing parts from the unit awaiting repairs, police said last week. The Hindu newspaper reports three people were arrested and 13 sacks of locomotive parts were recovered at a […]

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With few extra trains, Amtrak’s ability to capture heavy Thanksgiving demand is limited

By Bob Johnston | November 28, 2022
Passenger train with dome car operating next to highway

WASHINGTON — Consistent sellouts on Amtrak trains before and after Thanksgiving never get the same media play as TV reporters provide with stand-ups at the airport or on a highway overpass, and 2022 was no exception. The ability to efficiently move masses of travelers is a story that needs to be told. What was different […]

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Washington short line receives funds for track work

By | November 28, 2022
Logo of Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The 33-mile Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, owned by Clark County, Wash., and leased to two operators, will receive $4.7 million in state funding for line rehabilitation work, the Columbian newspaper reports. The first $1.5 million will improve the 14-mile section between Vancouver and Battle Ground, Wash., leased to the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad, […]

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Transport Canada opens application process for climate-change infrastructure program

By | November 28, 2022
Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA — Transport Canada is now accepting applications for up to C$10.5 million in rail projects to be funded under the Climate Change and Adaptation to Extreme Weather Infrastructure Initiative, part of the Rail Safety Improvement Program. Applications are being accepted through Jan. 6, 2023; information the program and application process is available here. “We […]

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B&O Budd cars at Cumberland, Md.

By | November 28, 2022
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The Budd Co. of Philadelphia introduced its self-propelled Rail Diesel Car in 1949. The RDC came in five versions with different arrangements of passenger, baggage, and mail compartments. Here, a train of Baltimore & Ohio Speedliners, as B&O called its RDC’s, is stopped at Cumberland, Md., during a westbound run in the early 1950s. B&O […]

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Denver-area light-rail train that derailed was going almost 40 mph as it entered 10 mph curve

By | November 26, 2022
Damaged light-rail train in roadway

AURORA, Colo. — A Regional Transportation District light rail train that derailed in September was going almost 40 miles an hour as it entered a 10-mph curve, according to a newly released report. The Sept. 21 accident in Aurora sent three people to the hospital, led to on-scene examination of more than 20 others, and […]

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Amtrak Auto Train, VIA offer big discounts through Cyber Monday — with exceptions

By Bob Johnston | November 25, 2022
Long passenger train with auto racks at back on double track main line

WASHINGTON AND MONTREAL — U.S. and Canadian national passenger rail operators are joining the Black Friday markdown blitz for travel beginning as early as next week and as late as June 30, 2023, depending upon the route. For both Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, the deals are available only through Monday, Nov. 29, at midnight. […]

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The HO scale Bishop Street Branch layout

By | November 25, 2022
The Bishop Street Branch layout track plan

Facts & features Name: Bishop Street Branch Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10′-6″ x 22′-0″ Prototypes:  Guilford/Pan Am Railways Locale: Portland, Maine Era: Late 1980s through the 1990s Style: Walk-in Mainline run: None Minimum radius: 24” Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: None Benchwork: Open grid Height: 51″ Roadbed: 1⁄2″ birch plywood with N scale cork […]

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Bob Cochran’s HO scale Vermont Rail System layout

By | November 25, 2022
An image of the Vermont rail trackplan

Facts & features Name: Vermont Rail System Scale: HO (1:87) in standard, narrow (3-foot), and dual gauges Size: 22’-103⁄4” x 25’-7” Prototypes:  Vermont Rail System, Rutland Railroad Locale: Vermont Era: 1960s to present Style: Walk-in Mainline run: 96 feet point-to-point, 106 feet loop Minimum radius: 24” Minimum turnout: no. 4 (yards), no. 6 (main) Maximum […]

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VIA Rail Canada to begin testing fuel-saving software in train operations

By | November 25, 2022
Passenger train on multi-track main line

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will extend a pilot program using artificial intelligence to reduce fuel consumption, following a six-month trial that showed potential fuel savings of up to 15%. VIA, in a collaboration with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada Testing, originally started working with start-up company RailVision Analytics to test EcoRail software that […]

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CP Holiday Train begins 2022 season

By | November 25, 2022
Train decorated with Christmas lights stopped near station at night

CALGARY, Alberta — The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has launched its 2022 tour, making its first-ever visits to Maine earlier this week as well as stops in Lac-Megantic, Sherbrook, and Farnham, Quebec, on Thursday. It is the first time the train has run in three years, after the Holiday Train program offered online concerts in […]

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