MECCA, Calif. — About 20 cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed Wednesday in the Coachella Valley community of Mecca on Wednesday afternoon, closing a state highway and the railroad’s Sunset Route. Cal Fire said on social media that emergency crews responded to the incident at 5:06 p.m. No injuries were reported. A hazardous […]
TRONA, Calif. — The remote, unincorporated town of Trona is used to earthquakes. But not the type that hit on Feb. 3. Searles Valley Minerals President and CEO Dennis Cruise announced in a company-wide letter that the soda ash mining company would reduce its workforce by about half. Included will be many of its railroad […]
WASHINGTON — Thirty-six members of California’s congressional delegation have asked the White House for some $2 billion in transit funding to support the 2028 Olympic and Paralymic Games. “Like you, we collectively want to ensure that we have a safe, secure, efficient, and accessible transportation network in the Los Angeles mega-region for this global sporting […]
NEW YORK — Investment firm Ridgewood Infrastructure has acquired a controlling interest in Sierra Railroad Co., the California company including short line Sierra Northern Railway and locomotive builder RailPower. At the same time, with Ridgewood’s investment, Sierra is acquiring Central Valley Ag Transport, an agricultural transload facility owner and operator serving customers along Sierra’s rail […]
PACIFICA, Cal. — Following more than 20 years of work, the restoration of Ocean Shore Railroad No. 1409 is finally coming together. At a recent fundraising event, the Pacifica Historical Society, which is responsible for restoring the historic 120-year-old coach, told local residents and stakeholders that work has “come a long way.” No. 1409 is […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak has taken a significant step to address the boarding experience for passengers with disabilities. To better aid the increasing number of passengers requesting assistance at stations, Brian Dassell, the company’s senior director of customer service, tells Trains, “We created a process for customers to put their name on a virtual list to […]
Facts and features Name: Northwestern Pacific RR Tiburon Rail Yard Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13′-0″ x 26′-6″ Prototype: Northwestern Pacific RR Locale: Tiburon, Calif. Era: October 1909 Style: island Mainline run: none Minimum radius: none Minimum turnout: No. 8 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 wood joists on steel angle […]
DUNSMUIR, Calif. — Operation of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight remains disrupted following a Sunday, March 1, derailment of a Union Pacific train at the Cantara Loop near Dunsmuir. According to a local TV report, about 19 cars derailed Sunday evening. UP told the broadcaster today (Tuesday, March 3) that no hazardous materials were involved and cleanup […]
PORTOLA, Calif. — The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola will host a fundraising dinner on April 8 as part of a visit by Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014. The dinner will feature a presentation by Ed Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations at UP. Tickets, priced at $100, are available here and […]
Track maintenance projects requiring Amtrak cancellations or rescheduling are currently taking place or are forthcoming in the Southeast and West. Meanwhile, several long-distance trains continue to encounter a variety of problems as weather challenges subside. Southern California Most intercity and commuter trains traveling between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, Calif., will not operate next […]
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Some 27 whistle stops are planned along with four public display days on the western tour of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, which begins March 29 with departure from Cheyenne. UP today announced the full schedule for the western trip, the first part of a planned coast-to-coast journey, in an email […]
COLMA, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation providing a $590 million loan to transit agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area, avoiding service cuts until a ballot initiative can go to voters. The money provided under AB 117 will go to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the agency coordinating transit funding and planning […]
