CPKC potash train derails in Saskatchewan

CPKC logo

GULL LAKE, Sask. — Approximately 18 cars of a CPKC freight train derailed Sunday evening about a mile east of the town of Gull Lake on Sunday evening. The Regina Leader-Post reports there were no injuries and no hazardous materials involved, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which reported the incident about 7:40 p.m. […]

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BNSF clears routes after two derailments

BNSF Railway logo

BNSF has reopened the main lines involved in both its derailments on Saturday, July 20, the railroad reports. The first of those incidents occurred about 12:45 a.m. near Ottawa, Kan., on the railroad’s Emporia Subdivision [see “BNSF deals with two derailments,” Trains News Wire, July 20, 2024]. One main line there was reopened at 8:30 […]

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First rebuilt Amtrak train wash facilities ready soon: report

Two men with squeegees cleaning windows on bilevel passenger car.

WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association has learned from Amtrak that construction of four new or refurbished facilities to wash trains at originating terminals will finally become operational this summer and fall. The building at New Orleans will be activated before the end of July, and the facility at Boston’s Southampton Street yard is set […]

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Why did railroads use train orders?

Scan of train order with information written in pen.

If you’ve read Model Railroader or many of our books and special issues, you’ve probably seen references to timetable-and-train-order operation, or TTTO for short. Employee timetables (ETT) that governed TTTO operation listed station names, mileposts, train numbers and classes, departure and arrival times, and operating instructions, among other items, to govern train movements. So why […]

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Amtrak National Limited service through the years

Streamlined diesel locomotives on Amtrak National Limited service with city skyline

Amtrak National Limited service began operation on May 1, 1971, linking New York City and Washington, D.C., with Kansas City. It carried Nos. 30-31. The route roughly paralleled that of Interstate 70, which links Baltimore and Kansas City. The name was a nod to a Baltimore & Ohio train serving Washington and St. Louis, but […]

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CSX train derails, damaging garages at residential complex (updated)

Derailed freight cars at night

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A series of garages were damaged Saturday night when a CSX freight train derailed Saturday night in central Fredericksburg, WRIC-TV reports. The incident was reported to Fredricksburg police about 8:50 p.m. No injuries were reported, but five railcars struck a large wall separating the Cobblestone Square development, a commercial and residential complex, […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP30

Title screen of video showing HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue and black with white graphics.

The ScaleTrains HO scale EMD GP30 is the subject of our latest product review video. Join Editor Eric White as he discusses the history of the Electro-Motive Division four-axle road switcher and Conrail No. 2229; highlights the various separate, factory-applied details on the Rivet Counter line model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions. Then […]

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Did short line railroads use timetables?

Two pages of handwritten notes on a book showing a railroad timetable

Q: Did short line railroads use timetables for such loads as logs, lumber, cattle, grain, merchandise, and the like for short distances such as 100 miles or less? For example, is a timetable necessary for a train running back and forth between a log landing site and a small lumber mill? — Russell Brenchley, Cottage […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP30

Title screen of video showing HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue and black with white graphics.

The ScaleTrains HO scale EMD GP30 is the subject of our latest product review video. Join Editor Eric White as he discusses the history of the Electro-Motive Division four-axle road switcher and Conrail No. 2229; highlights the various separate, factory-applied details on the Rivet Counter line model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions. Then […]

Read More…