Board approves MBTA cuts

A purple painted locomotive heads a train surrounded by a passenger platform on a cloudless day. MBTA is unsafe and service isn't great either, says poll.

BOSTON — By a 3-2 margin, the board overseeing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority today approved a wide-ranging series of service reductions reflecting the financial losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes, while significant, include some modifications from those originally proposed a month ago [see “Planned MBTA cuts would end commuter rail service after […]

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Digest: Metro-North set to buy dual-mode locomotives from Siemens

Blue and silver-painted locomotive at a station platform surrounding by brown steel work and palm trees. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner renewable diesel.

Metro-North set to buy 27 dual-mode locomotives from Siemens The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a $334.9 million contract for Siemens to build 27 dual-mode locomotives for the Metro-North Railroad. A document in the board package for Wednesday’s meeting says the purchase, an order for 19 locomotives with exercise of […]

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Digest: U.S. Sugar operates steam-powered holiday train

Steam locomotive pulling train over water on a pile causeway.

U.S. Sugar fires up No. 148 for ‘Santa Express’ U.S. Sugar volunteers, joined by members of the U.S. Marine Corps and local representatives from Toys for Tots, operated its 4-6-2, No. 148, as the “Santa Express” from U.S. Sugar’s Clewiston, Fla., headquarters on on Saturday, delivering presents for children of the Florida Glades farming communities […]

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Minnesota Commercial Railway owner John Gohmann dies

Balding caucasian man wearing eyeglasses and brown coat.

John Gohmann, owner of the Minnesota Commercial Railroad — a notable early success story in the shortline industry that developed in the wake of Staggers Act deregulation — has died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Libertyville, Ill. He was 73. Gohmann began his railroad career as a yard clerk for the Chicago & […]

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Model railroad locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and details announcements for December 17, 2020

A train on the tracks

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, structures, electronics, train sets, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroad editors have news on for the week of Dec. 17, 2020. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD40 diesel locomotive. Atchison, […]

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Huron Central gets reprieve — again

Huron Central logo

Ontario’s Huron Central will continue operating until at least June 30, marking at least the third time owner Genesee & Wyoming has reversed plans to close the 173-mile line between Sault St. Marie and Sudbury. CTV News reports the company, which had planned to cease operations on Dec. 18, extended the deadline because of progress […]

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Historical society, Cumbres & Toltec reach agreement on 15-year inspection for D&RGW No. 315

Older steam locomotive pulling a train along a grassy flat area.

ANTONITO, Colo. — The Durango Railroad Historical Society and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will perform the Federal Railroad Administration-required 15-year inspection on D&RGW C-18 locomotive No. 18, the 2-8-0 built by Baldwin for the Florence & Cripple Creek. The work will be performed in the Cumbres & Toltec’s Antonito shops, with historical society volunteers […]

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