Chehalis-Centralia Railroad schedules first events since being shuttered by insurance issues

Logo of the Chehalis Centralia Railroad and Museum

CHEHALIS, Wash. — The Chehalis-Central Railroad and Museum remains unable to operate trains because of insurance issues, but it is finding ways to again hold events. The Centralia Chronicle reports the railroad is holding an “Escape Room Dinner Train” event on five dates beginning July 16, with two sessions each day. Reflecting the railroad’s lack […]

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STB directs Union Pacific to continue operating under emergency service order

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has directed Union Pacific to continue providing priority service and reports on that service for a California feed and poultry company under an emergency order issued in June. In a ruling Friday, the board ordered that while subsequent UP service has mitigated the “dire emergency” faced by Foster Farms […]

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Long Island Rail Road railcars face additional delays

Low-angle front view of electric multiple-unit train equipment

NEW YORK — Completion of an order of new electric multiple unit railcars for the Long Island Rail Road, already 18 months behind schedule, has been pushed back another 17 months, WSHU radio reports. Completion is now projected by September 2023. The order of 202 M9 railcars from Kawasaki reflects “workmanship issues,” as well as […]

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Virginia, Norfolk Southern complete agreement allowing passenger service to New River Valley

Train at station platform at night

RICHMOND, Va., and ATLANTA — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Norfolk Southern have completed financing on the agreement which will expand passenger service to Roanoke, Va., and extend service southwest into the New River Valley. The Western Rail Initiative Agreement sets the stage for the launch of a second daily Amtrak round trip between […]

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ASLRRA announces annual Jake Safety Awards

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association logo

WASHINGTON — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has recognized a record number of railroads with its annual Jake Safety Awards, announced last week. A total of 364 railroads received awards for performing at or above the industry average for Federal Railroad Administration-reportable injuries, including 332 honored “with distinction” for having no reportable […]

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MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotive roster in HO scale

Photo of seven HO scale diesel locomotives on scenicked model railroad

MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotive roster MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotives: The Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, Model Railroader’s staff layout, has been around for more than 45 years. Similar to many full-size railroads, the freelanced MR&T has changed paint schemes on its diesel locomotives over the years. Following the lead of two Class 1 railroads, […]

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Athearn Genesis HO scale Amtrak California passenger cars

illustration of Amtrak California passenger cars

Amtrak California passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99. Four-pack with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $579.99; dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $649.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Cab coaches […]

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Federal funds available for grade crossing elimination or improvement

U.S. Department of Transportation logo

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering more than $573 million in grant funding this fiscal year to address grade-crossing issues as part of its Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed and signed in November 2021. The competitive discretionary grant program, administered by the Federal Railroad […]

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Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars from Athearn Genesis

illustration of Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars

Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: With dual-mode NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Business class cars feature upper and lower service areas Cafe cars have […]

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Big Boy West Coast tour off; Denver-Cheyenne excursion announced

BigBoy_WestChicago_Lassen

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The planned Pacific Northwest tour of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is off for 2022, the railroad announced in a Thursday afternoon email to members of its Steam Club. But the locomotive will make an outing to Denver later this month to pull an excursion benefitting the Union Pacific Museum. The […]

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Amtrak and BNSF, widow of truck driver file suits over Southwest Chief accident (updated)

Aerial view of accident site with debris of truck hit by train

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amtrak and BNSF Railway have filed suit against the company that owns the dump truck involved in Monday’s fatal collision and derailment of the Southwest Chief — and the widow of the truck driver has sued a BNSF employee and the county where the accident occurred. KCTV reports Amtrak and BNSF […]

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