Locomotive profile: 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive

Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive No. 3985 pulls an excursion in Iowa in 2002.

Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive No. 3985 pulls an excursion in Iowa in 2002. Jim Wrinn 4-6-6-4 •YEARS BUILT: 1936 to 1947 •MANUFACTURERS: Alco, Baldwin •OPERATED ON: Union Pacific; Northern Pacific; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Clinchfield; Delaware & Hudson; Western Pacific; Western Maryland; Denver & Rio Grande Western •NAME: Challenger •QUANTITY: 252; Union […]

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Locomotive profile: 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive

Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 pulls an excursion in Virginia.

Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 pulls an excursion in Virginia. Jim Wrinn 4-8-4 •YEARS BUILT: 1926 to 1950 •MANUFACTURERS: Baldwin, Lima, Alco, Canadian Locomotive Co., Canadian Pacific Railway, Montreal, Norfolk & Western •OPERATED ON: Most sizable railroads that provided fast freight and passenger service •NAME: Northern •QUANTITY: 1,115; Canadian National had more than 200 […]

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Locomotive profile: 4-8-8-4 Big Boy type steam locomotive

Union Pacific Big Boy type steam locomotive No. 4011 ross west at Granite, Wyoming, in 1956.

Union Pacific Big Boy type steam locomotive No. 4011 ross west at Granite, Wyoming, in 1956. Jim Ehernberger 4-8-8-4 •YEARS BUILT: 1941 to 1944 •MANUFACTURER: Alco •OPERATED ON: Union Pacific •NAME: Big Boy •QUANTITY: 25 •BOILER PRESSURE: 300 psi •KNOWN FOR: Among the heaviest and most powerful reciprocating-piston steam locomotives ever built •STATUS: Eight preserved: […]

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A look inside new Acela’s power car NEWSWIRE

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The left operator’s screen displays brake pressure, power consumption, and other information. The temporary wi-fi antenna above the screen facilitated transmission of data from sensors during the train’s trip to Colorado. Bob Johnston The screen shown above is to the left of the operator’s seat, which is centered in the cab interior. TRAINS: David Lassen […]

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AAR: US rail traffic tanked for the week of Feb. 15, 2020 NEWSWIRE

Association of American Railroads US weekly traffic report for the week ended Feb. 15, 2020

Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Wednesday reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Feb. 15, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 479,137 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.6% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending Feb. 15 […]

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Blockades lead to VIA, CN layoffs NEWSWIRE

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VIA Rail Canada has laid off 1,000 workers as a result of the blockades of rail lines at locations across Canada, joining about 450 Canadian National workers laid off earlier this week. Some of the Canadian passenger carrier’s plans to partially restore service were thwarted Wednesday as new blockades appeared. The blockades are part of […]

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News Wire Digest for Thursday, Feb. 20 NEWSWIRE

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Thursday morning rail news: — The Colorado Department of Transportation and Union Pacific have reached agreement on sale of 59 acres of the former Burnham Yard, UP’s ex-Rio Grande facility in downtown Denver. Colorado Public Radio says the non-binding agreement sets a price of $50 million for the land, which could be used for a […]

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News Wire Digest second section for Thursday, Feb. 20 NEWSWIRE

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More Thursday morning rail news: — U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) will introduce legislation to help fund completion of California’s high speed rail project at a Friday event in Madera, Calif. According to a press release, the High-Speed Rail Corridor Development Act of 2020 would provide $32 billion in funding for projects in federal designated […]

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Trains News Wire Digest for Wednesday, Feb. 19 NEWSWIRE

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Wednesday morning rail news: — Quebec has entered into an economic development agreement with the James Bay Cree that would see new rail lines and roads built in northern Quebec. Work on the C$4.7 billion dollar deal would take place in see phases and see roads and rail extended as far north as Whapmagoostui and […]

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