George Walker, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum general manager, dies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — George Walker, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum general manager, passenger operations, died Jan. 4, 2023, following an accident at the organization’s shop facility in the early afternoon hours, according to Penelope Soule Gault, museum marketing and public relations director, and a statement posted on their website. The museum’s statement reads: “The Tennessee Valley […]

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CEOs from BNSF, CN, NS set to appear at MARS meeting

LOMBARD, Ill. — CEOs of three Class I railroads are among the impressive list of speakers for this year’s winter meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers, set for Jan. 17-19 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard, Ill. Katie Farmer of BNSF Railway, Tracy Robinson of Canadian National, and Alan Shaw of […]

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Why do some railroads use concrete ties versus wood ties?

Q: Why do some railroads use concrete ties versus wood ties? I live near Altoona, Pa., where the Norfolk Southern runs, and they use all wood ties. – Mark Kroll A: There are a few reasons why a railroad might choose concrete ties over wood ties, but generally they all boil down to economics. Concrete […]

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Top 10 stories of 2022, No. 5: Gulf Coast passenger conflict

Continuing our countdown of the Trains News Wire Top 10 stories of 2022, as determined by a vote of Trains editors, columnists, and masthead correspondents: A lengthy and acrimonious process finally produced a settlement between Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, and Alabama State Port Authority late in the year, providing a framework to bring passenger […]

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Trinity 3281 hopper from Walthers Mainline

Trinity 3281 hopper from Walthers Mainline Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 Era: Late 1990s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Trinity 3281 hopper features: Separately-applied brake gear, running board, discharge gates, inlet hatches, and end ladder cages Correct 36″ RP-25 metal wheelsets Proto-Max […]

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Top 10 stories of 2022: No. 6, Jim Wrinn

Continuing our countdown of the Trains News Wire Top 10 stories of 2022, as determined by a vote of Trains editors, columnists, and masthead correspondents: When a college advisor at the University of North Carolina asked Jim Wrinn in 1979 to name his dream job, he didn’t hesitate: editor of Trains magazine. There is no […]

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CRP&A, Chicago author receive R&LHS research grants

The Center for Railroad Photography & Art and Chicago author Sandra Jackson-Opoku have received 2022 research grants, each worth $2,500, from the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. R&LHS President Robert Holzweiss said “the proposals could not be more different, but both were adjudged to be worthy of our support. The Center applies every year and often […]

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