Trains editors discuss the rail news that’s fit to publish. This week, editors talk about Alcos, Canadian National’s Alabama short line, and Amtrak food. Only from Trains! […]
Section: News Wire
Burlington Junction C415s safe despite addition of MK1500D locomotives to roster NEWSWIRE
Burlington Junction Railway has added four MK1500D locomotives to its already eclectic roster. The new units operate mostly around Quincy, Ill., where much of the traffic base is located. In this photo, three of the four units work the Quincy yard on July 3, 2019. Steve Smedley QUINCY, Ill. – The future of the unique […]
Conrail predecessor documents bound for shredder saved instead NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Northeastern railway preservationists have saved hundreds of drawings — some dating to the 1860s — from Conrail predecessors from the shredder in what has been called a “monumental achievement” for railroad historians. The documents came from the Smithsonian Institution, which collected them between 1981 to 1984. With an Aug. 1 deadline to […]
Illinois legislator ‘doesn’t see brown’ on Metra’s board NEWSWIRE
Luis Arroyo, Illinois state representative Illinois General Assembly website CHICAGO — A key Illinois legislator appeared before Metra’s board Wednesday to take credit for helping the agency receive about $1.6 billion in infrastructure funding, but also chided the agency’s lack of Latino leadership, calling it a “good old boys network” that needed to change. Illinois […]
OmniTRAX gives up on Texas short line, files for abandonment NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Short line operator OmniTRAX is throwing in the towel on its Central Texas & Colorado River Railway. OmniTRAX this week filed to abandon the 67.5-mile line, citing its dim prospects and millions of dollars in operating losses since it acquired the route in 2016. The prime culprits: New crushed rock traffic that never […]
Amtrak foodservice still in flux NEWSWIRE
Broiled salmon, mashed potatoes, and green beans on the ‘Crescent’ in July 2019. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON – A leaked Amtrak presentation that describes the elimination of Auto Train’s coach dining car and introduction of so-called “contemporary” pre-packaged meals on the New York-Miami Silver Meteor and New York-New Orleans Crescent may not be the last word […]
Black Mesa & Lake Powell visitors’ guide NEWSWIRE
Black Mesa & Lake Powell crosses a bridge near Cow Springs, Ariz. Andy Kirol PAGE, Ariz. – The end is in sight for the isolated Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad in northern Arizona, with some reports putting the end of operation in August yet. Each day, except Wednesday, a single set of hoppers makes […]
CSX Transportation makes safety strides as injuries, accidents decline NEWSWIRE
The underside of a specially equipped boxcar on CSX Transportation. CSX Transportation JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has significantly improved its key safety metrics during the past 18 months, with the railroad’s personal injury rate leading the industry so far this year and train accidents at their lowest levels in company history. CSX’s key safety […]
Iowa museum replicates narrow gauge passenger car of Milwaukee Road affiliate NEWSWIRE
A replica combine is underway in Eastern Iowa. John Schumann MAQUOKETA, Iowa — The Bellevue & Cascade was a 3-foot gauge Milwaukee Road branch that ran between its namesake towns in eastern Iowa. The B&C lasted longer than any other Midwestern narrow gauge, being sold to a shortline railroad before finally folding in 1936. In […]
Virgin Trains loses contract for UK train services NEWSWIRE
Virgin Trains Pendolino train on the West Coast route in Oxenholme in northern England in July 2018. Keith Fender LONDON — Virgin Trains has been replaced as operator of the West Coast network from London to Glasgow, Scotland, that Virgin had operated since it was originally privatized in 1997. Virgin sold 49% of its United […]
Western Maryland 1309’s front engine drivers installed NEWSWIRE
No. 1309’s front engine got its wheels Tuesday. Tishia Boggs RIDGELEY, W.Va. — Western Maryland 2-6-6-2 No. 1309’s restoration moved forward as crews reunited the front engine with its six-coupled drivers. Crews with Diversified Rail Services, Inc., and Jason Sobczynski of Next Generation Rail Services were hard at work mounting the front engine with the […]
White Pass to buy new locomotives, retire most shovel nose and Alco diesels NEWSWIRE
White Pass & Yukon diesels like this shovel nose GE and Alco will be replaced with new units on a two for one basis. Jeff Mast SKAGWAY, Alaska — Officials at the three-foot gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway have hired National Railway Equipment, Mt. Vernon, Ill., to build two new diesel locomotives to be […]
