Snow squall

20191119

During a Lake Erie snow squall at Stony Point, Pa., about 12 miles west of Meadville, K-5 Pacific-type No. 2924 stands in the siding as an unidentified K-5a dashes past with an eastbound train. The railroad had 160 locomotives of the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement in five classes and multiple subclasses built by Baldwin, Lima, Richmond, […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Touring Sievers Benchwork

Come along with Trains.com host Gerry Leone, as he explores the production facilities of Sievers Benchwork, located on Washington Island, Wisconsin. With master carpenters Barb Cornell and Butch Young guiding us through the manufacturing process, learn how model railroad framework fabricated with pre-drilled holes and modular designs, revolutionized benchwork construction! Discover additional insights about its history, […]

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Ask Trains.com November 2023 compilation

Ask Trains.com November 2023 compilation | Host Cody Grivno answers viewer questions concerning pricing of hand-crafted brass versus injection-molded plastic freight cars; how to decipher stenciled freight car data; the steam locomotive classification system; where to learn about U.S. Department of Transportation rail equipment; and insights into the numerous locomotive paint schemes of the MR&T, Model […]

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Driver killed at Norfolk Southern Chicago intermodal facility

Firefighters attending to truck cab smashed by railroad car

CHICAGO — One person was killed when a train struck a truck in a Norfolk Southern intermodal facility in Chicago’s Fuller Park neighborhood today (Monday, Nov. 20), the Chicago Tribune reports. The Chicago Fire Department reported the truck was stopped on tracks within the NS facility at 350 West Garfield Boulevard when it was struck […]

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CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs encourages railroads to work together and set higher service standards

Intermodal train with two blue and yellow locomotives at grade crossing

NEW YORK — CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs dished out some tough love for the industry last week while reflecting on his nearly 14 months at the helm of the railroad. The former Ford Motor Co. executive has learned a lot about railroading in his travels around the CSX system but is puzzled by the industry’s […]

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STB approves Brightline West high speed rail modifications and extension across Cajon Pass

Map of planned rail line from Victorville, Calif., area to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

WASHINGTON — Brightline West’s bid to extend its proposed electrified, 186-mph rail route from Las Vegas, Nev., to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has gained regulatory approval in two separate Surface Transportation Board decisions. In decisions released Friday, the STB approved route modifications at Las Vegas along with a 5-mile extension from the original terminus at Victorville, […]

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First Tier 4 locomotive enters service for Napa Valley Wine Train

Maroon, gold, and green locomotives in golden-hour lighting

NAPA, Calif. – The Napa Valley Wine Train has placed the first of two Tier 4 compliant switcher units into service as the tourist railroad’s new regular motive power. Napa Valley Railroad NZE15B No. 1864 arrived on Oct. 30, 2023. The 1,560-hp unit was rebuilt by Knoxville Locomotive Works from a National Railway Equipment Co. […]

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First of many battery trains enter service in Germany

Blue multiple-unit passenger train at simple shelter station and platform

KIEL, Germany —  The first of what will be multiple fleets of new battery-electric multiple-unit, or BEMU, trainsets have entered passenger service in northern Germany. The Stadler-built, two-car FLIRT trains debuted two weeks ago. They are designed to replace diesel multiple units and operate as regular electric trains when running on electrified lines. Each of […]

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Alstom plans asset sale, layoffs as a result of cash-flow concerns

White and blue power car for high-speed train on factory floor

SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France — Alstom, the world’s second-largest rail rolling stock manufacturer is seeking to sell up to 1 billion euros in assets (about $1.09 billion) and cut 1,500 jobs as it faces a negative cash flow and a massive drop in stock value, Reuters reports. The company is also considering a capital increase. The company, […]

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Nickel-plated freight

20191101

Westbound Nickel Plate Road train NC-3 rolls through the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, in June 1959. The railroad, formally known as the New York, Chicago & St. Louis, dieselized its freight operations with road-switchers. As evidence, a mix of six Alco and EMD locomotives led by Alco RS11 No. 568 and EMD GP9 No. […]

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