HOUSTON — Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has shut down 15 miles of light rail operations, affecting three routes, to deal with a “wire fatigue” problem that could put bystanders at risk of contact with a live electrical line. The Houston Chronicle reports that the closure of all of the Green and Purple lines, as well […]
Photo opportunities with Big Boy No. 4018 will be part of the Museum of the American Railroad’s Transcontinental Railroad Watch Party in Frisco, Texas. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn FRISCO, Texas — The Museum of the American Railroad will hold a “watch party” for the sesquicentennial of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad this Friday, May […]
UP Big Boy No. 4014, seen at Henefer, Utah, on Wednesday, completes the last lap of its epic journey from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Ogden, Utah, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad and the driving of the Golden Spike. Jim Wrinn OGDEN, Utah – Union Pacific Big Boy […]
RAWLINS, Wyo. – Looking back a few days, Saturday, May 4, was a crazy railfan chase day in the annals of railfandom. When a Trains video team left Laramie, Wyo., midday, they were supposed to leap frog the majority of railfans chasing Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 and head directly to Walcott, Wyo. Instead, […]
Canadian Pacific’s twin Spiral Tunnels near Field, B.C., opened in 1909, reducing the grade to a maximum of 2.2 percent, compared with 4.4 percent before their opening. Canadian Pacific CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific President and CEO Keith Creel says the railroad is considering building a new siding on the Lagan Subdivision where trains can […]
EVANSTON, Wyo. – Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will draw plenty of attention Wednesday as it begins descending the long grade from Evanston to Ogden, Utah. That grade goes through one of the most picturesque and pictured canyons in North American railroading: Echo Canyon. The Wasatch grade that leads to Echo begins just west […]
NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road will debut its new Kawasaki M9 electric multiple unit railcars this month, the first new equipment on the commuter railroad in almost 20 years. Newsday reports equipment from the initial 92-car order will gradually be placed in service from later in May until next January. New York’s […]
North Carolina Department of Transportation Chief Deputy Secretary David Howard and Rail Division Director Jason Orthner shake hands in a photo taken at Raleigh’s Capital Yard on May 3, 2019, promoting the $1 Piedmont fare sale for trips Friday and Saturday. All trips are now sold out. North Carolina Department of Transportation RALEIGH, N. C. […]
The Lake Shore Railway Historical Society and Museum grounds and neighborhood in May 2019. Stephan M. Koenig NORTH EAST, Pa. – Infrastructure improvements are coming to the community of North East that will benefit the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society and Museum. The improvements are funded through a $250,000 grant awarded to the community by […]
BENEDICT, Kan. – Crews are working to clean up a Tuesday derailment between Benedict and Buffalo in southeastern Kansas. The Union Pacific train derailed 19 cars, two of which carried non-toxic argon gas. No injuries are reported, according to KOAM-TV. The report cites a washout as a possible cause. The line, which connects Kansas City, […]
CHICAGO — An Illinois legislator has proposed lowering fares on Metra’s Electric District, and the commuter railroad says it’s willing to discuss the proposal. The Chicago Tribune reports State Rep. Marcus Evans Jr.’s bill would make rail service more affordable for South Side residents by lowering Metra Electric trips within Chicago to rates equal to […]
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014’s first nighttime departure reveals how impressive this 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive is. The locomotive, along with 4-8-4 No. 844, a diesel locomotive, and passenger consist behind, eased out of a siding in Union Pacific’s Rock Springs yard Monday shortly after 4 a.m. The train glided on […]
