WASHINGTON — A California congressman wants to end further federal funding for the state’s high speed rail project on the grounds that it has yet to lay any rail. U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) announced last week that he has introduced H.R. 9308, which he has dubbed the “No Frankenrail Act.” Officially introduced Aug. […]
After a Aug. 10 event involving Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials and VIPs, public service using Caltrain’s electric multiple-unit trainsets began on a limited basis on Sunday, Aug. 11, between San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco [see “Caltrain to place first electric trainsets in service,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 9, 2024]. Two of […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Trains News Wire has obtained an 1,160-page “Limited Remarketing Memorandum” issued earlier this month announcing the $1 billion availability of bonds by California and Nevada authorities. The financing is part of Brightline West’s quest to secure operating capital for its proposed 218-mile high speed venture between Las Vegas, Nev., and Southern […]
SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrain will begin public operation of its electrified trainsets this Sunday, Aug. 11, the news site SFGate reports. Agency spokesman Dan Lieberman told SFGate that “a couple” of the electric trains will be in operation, but that Caltrain has decided against announcing which specific trains will be operating with the new equipment […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ian Choudri will be the new CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the agency’s board of directors announced after a closed-session meeting today (Aug. 8, 2024). Choudri, currently senior vice president for consulting firm HNTB, has more than 30 years in transportation, including work on high speed rail projects in France […]
Facts and features Name: Southern Pacific Tehachapi SubdivisionScale: HOSize: 72 x 128 feetPrototype: Southern Pacific Tehachapi SubdivisionLocale: Bakersfield to Mojave, CaliforniaEra: 1950s-1960sStyle: Multi-level walkaroundMainline run: Bakersfield to Mojave: 1,500 feet; between staging yards, Goshen Jct. to Lancaster: 1,800 feetMinimum radius: main tracks, sidings and yards: 48″; branch lines and industry tracks: 36″Minimum turnout: main tracks, […]
DIAMOND Bar, Calif. — A Southern California regulatory agency on Friday adopted new rules requiring railroads to significantly reduce pollution from rail yards starting in 2027, an action that would require nitrogen oxide emissions to be reduced up to 82% by 2037. The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s new Freight Rail Yards Indirect Source […]
Classic Trains Film Archive | Tehachapi Loop, California, J. David Ingles Reel 4005 – From the vintage film collection of J. David Ingles, you’ll see trains of Southern Pacific Railroad and Santa Fe Railway climb, conquer, and descend south-central California’s venerable Tehachapi Loop. Dave rises for the opportunity to trek trackside in the Tehachapi Mountains…all […]
Baldwin Locomotive Works built 2-6-6-2T No. 4 for Clover Valley Lumber Co. of Loyalton, Calif., in March 1924. Shown here in 1950, it also served Feather River Lumber Co. at Loyalton, Calif., before going to the Pacific Locomotive Association in July 1973. Guy L. Dunscomb photo […]
Climbing over La Mesa Model Railroad Club’s Tehachapi Subdivision | In this Trains.com Video Exclusive Layout Extra, our staff captures trackside views of both freight and passenger train forging the enormous 42 x 80-foot HO (1:87) scale public display depicting the route over Southern California’s famed Tehachapi Loop. Sit back and enjoy this extended reel […]
Western Pacific EMD SW1500 No. 1503 is one of only three such units built in 1973 for the fan-favorite western railroad. Today, it resides at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, Calif., after being retired by successor Union Pacific. Vic Reyna photo […]
Harvey Simon’s HO F Line traction layout is set in modern-day San Francisco, re-creating the route between the Castro District and Fisherman’s Wharf. The modified walk-in model railroad features open-grid benchwork, 6-1/4” minimum radius curves, and a mainline run of 40 feet. In this layout tour video, you’ll get an opportunity to see San Francisco […]
