CN acquisition of CSX Massena Line remains in limbo

Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of CSX Transportation’s Massena Line linking the Syracuse, N.Y., area with Montreal remains in limbo, two weeks after the Surface Transportation Board refused to reconsider a condition it placed on the deal. The railroads have declined to comment and they have not updated U.S. regulators. The railroads previously said they would […]

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Industrial scenes, a restored steam locomotive, aged diesels, and other model railroad photos

A man on a small industrial shifter moving a tank car on narrow gauge tracks is dwarfed by surrounding industrial buildings

  Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. Send your photos (digital images 5 megapixels or larger) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612; or upload them to http://fileupload.kalmbach.com/contribute. For our photo submission guidelines, contact associate editor Steven Otte at sotte@mrmag.com. […]

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Study will consider conversion of Milwaukee Road 261 to burn oil

Steam locomotive pulls passenger train

MINNEAPOLIS – The Friends of the 261, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Milwaukee Road S-3 class 4-8-4 No. 261, has launched a study to consider converting the locomotive from coal to oil firing. Friends of the 261 President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Sandberg said the group is conducting a feasibility study and […]

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As Amtrak restores long-distance service, best prices are on ‘new’ dates

Amtrak train stops at brick station

WASHINGTON — Anyone ready to lock in summer travel plans that involve long-distance trains will find lower fares on days that have had no service since last October. Amtrak wasted no time Wednesday in complying with marching orders from Congress in the just-passed economic stimulus legislation, immediately announcing when it would resume daily service on […]

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Digest: Shortline derailment leads to new rules from Transport Canada

Derailed train by grain elevator

Transport Canada issues new rules as a result of Goderich, Ontario, derailment Transport Canada is issuing new rules regarding air brakes as a result of last month’s derailment of a train in Goderich, Ontario. The CBC reports the update to the Railway Safety Act announced by Transport Minister Omar Alghabra are intended to reduce the […]

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Digest: Georgia excursion train set for sold-out debut

Map showing route of Azalea Sprinter excursion train

‘Azelea Sprinter’ excursion train debuts in Georgia A new Georgia excursion train will debut this weekend with sold-out trips. WALB-TV reports the Azelea Sprinter, operating by CaterParrott Railnet on the Georgia & Florida Railroad, sold out its first three trips in less than two days. The train will depart from Nashville, Ga., and offer three […]

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Amtrak announces dates to restore daily service on 12 long-distance routes

Passenger train running along shoreline

Amtrak service will resume daily on 12 long-distance routes which had been cut to triweekly service in May and June, following Wednesday’s passage by Congress of the American Rescue Plan aid package, which includes funding for service restoration. Ticketing is already available for the restored service in Amtrak’s reservation system, meaning availability for seats and […]

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Museum volunteers return Northern Pacific SD45 to operation

Newly restored diesel in Northern Pacific paint

DULUTH, Minn. — Volunteers at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum have returned Northern Pacific SD45 No. 3617 to operating condition. The locomotive was started up and moved under its own power at the museum on Feb. 27, the first time it has operated in more than 14 years. The locomotive was donated to the museum […]

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