Colorado Railroad Museum to debut restored RGS No. 20 on Aug. 1

More Thursday morning rail news: Colorado Railroad Museum sets debut for Rio Grande Southern No. 20 Rio Grande Southern No. 20 will make its public debut at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo., on Aug. 1, marking the conclusion of a 14-year, $1.5 million restoration for the narrow gauge 4-6-0 built in 1899. Built […]

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Las Vegas high speed project reaches agreement to build along I-15

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Tuesday afternoon rail news: Caltrans, high speed project reach agreement on use of state-owned right-of-way The California Department of Transportation and Xpress West, the Virgin Trains USA/Brightline subsidiary planning to build a high speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev., have reached agreement on a lease allowing the rail line to build […]

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Washout cuts Durango & Silverton access to Silverton for eight to 16 weeks

Still more Monday rail news: Durango & Silverton hit by washout A washout has cut the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s access to Silverton for eight to 16 weeks, the Durango Herald reports. A log jam on the railroad’s bridge at Elk Creek, about five miles from Silverton, forced the creek to overflow and […]

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UP derailment in Wyoming leads to explosions, fire

Sunday morning rail news in brief: Explosions, fire follow derailment of UP train in Rock Springs, Wyo. A Union Pacific derailment led to explosions and a wildfire near Rock Springs, Wyo., on Saturday, as the 26 cars that derailed included multiple cars of liquefied petroleum gas and alcohol, according to a report from the Sweetwater […]

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Utah railroad project seeks clearance to start construction in 2021

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More Monday morning rail news: Uinta Basin project aims to start construction in 2021 The company seeking to build the Uinta Basin Railway in Utah has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board seeking an exemption that would allow it to begin construction of the line in 2021. Board approval is typically required for […]

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Cumbres & Toltec postpones gathering of 19th-century locomotives NEWSWIRE

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The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has postponed its Victorian Iron Horse Roundup, a planned gathering of 19th-century locomotives set for Aug. 22-31, to 2021. The event was planned as part of the tourist railroad’s 50th anniversary [see “Cumbres & Toltec announces schedule for 19th-century locomotive event,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 27, 2020]. In a […]

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UPDATED: Royal Gorge Route Railroad set for opening on May 23 after threatened closure NEWSWIRE

Royal Gorge Route Railroad owner warns of permanent closure UPDATED — CAÑON CITY, Colo. (via KRDO) — In a post on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s Facebook page, the railroad announced it will open, after all, on May 23. No other details were available. In previous statements, Mark Greska, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s owner said […]

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Work on Pikes Peak Railway begins from the top down NEWSWIRE

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Starting from the top of the mountain, the track for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is being rebuilt. Dave Schaaf Crews from construction contractor Stacy & Witbeck are rebuilding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, shut down since 2018. Dave Schaaf PIKES PEAK, Colo. — The Broadmoor Pike’s Peak Cog Railway has begun rebuilding the famous […]

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Track work underway for restoration of Pikes Peak Cog Railway service NEWSWIRE

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Passengers take in the view from the Pikes Peak Cog Railway during a Trains Tour of Colorado in 2015. The cog railway is being completely rebuilt and is slated to reopen in 2021. TRAINS: David Lassen Still more Thursday rail news in brief: — The first rails have been laid in reconstruction of the Pikes […]

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Durango & Silverton pushes back opening, mulls challenge of distancing requirements NEWSWIRE

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A Durango & Silverton train crosses the Animas River on its return from Silverton in October 2018. The D&S has pushed its planned opening back from May into June, and is facing questions on how to operate under social distancing requirements. TRAINS: David Lassen Monday morning rail news: — The Durango & Silverton has extended […]

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BNSF closing two facilities in Wyoming, cutting 122 jobs NEWSWIRE

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Still more Thursday rail news: — BNSF Railway will close two facilities in Wyoming, laying off 122 workers, in part reflecting the declining market for coal. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the railroad will close its Guernsey shops in June and its Donkey Creek facility in July. “Similar to the size of our train, yard and […]

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