An extra freight train runs on a rainy March day

view of garden railroad from a caboose camera

Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era. Description: The J&MtZ No. 20 runs an extra freight train for railfans on a rainy March day. Ride along on J&MtZ Caboose 02 as we tour the railroad. Watch […]

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Hitachi Rail to build new factory near Hagerstown, Md.

Interior of structure with railcars

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Maryland — Hitachi Rail will build a new factory in Washington County to build the new 8000-series railcars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the company has announced. The $70 million factory, near the Hopewell Valley Industrial Park adjacent to Hagerstown, Md., is projected to employ up to 460 people, and will […]

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Museum works to save two rare New York Central electric locomotives

This former New York Central electric locomotive in deteriorating condition

GLENMONT, N.Y. — A plan is under way to rescue two historic New York Central electric locomotives stranded for three decades on isolated track along the Hudson River south of Albany. They are threatened by a project to build a factory to manufacture offshore wind-turbine towers to be erected off the coast of Long Island. […]

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Donation of $1 million will fund new building at Maine trolley museum

Logo of Seashore Trolley Museum

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — The Seashore Trolley Museum will use a $1 million donation — the second largest in its history — to replace an aging building providing covered storage for its cars. The Portland Press-Herald reports the anonymous gift will allow replacement of the 66-year-old Burton B. Shaw South Boston Car House, which is leaning […]

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Metro-North sets schedules for service increases

Electric multiple unit trainset with red front stops at station

NEW YORK — Commuter railroad Metro-North has released schedules for increased service to begin March 27. The schedule includes the addition of 66 trains on the three East of Hudson lines, bringing frequencies to 89% of pre-pandemic levels and restoring express service at several stations. The schedules will see Hudson Line weekday service increase from 142 […]

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Mt. Washington Cog owner’s project would allow stays at top of mountain

Steam locomotive pushing railroad car up steep grade

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — The owner of the Mount Washington Cog Railway is proposing stationing railcars near the summit of the mountain to serve as overnight accommodations and a restaurant. The Associated Press reports owner Wayne Presby’s project would cost nearly $14 million, and would station 18 cars at an elevation of about 5,800 feet […]

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Railroads yet to benefit from East Coast intermodal boom: Analysis

Train of containers on high bridge

NEW YORK — East Coast ports are handling a record number of containers due to ongoing supply chain issues in California and the West, but railroads aren’t seeing this equate to more intermodal volume for a number of reasons. First, rail doesn’t have the same international intermodal market share in the East as it does […]

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Plan to allow second ‘Pennsylvanian’ includes 12 new or upgraded NS interlockings

Passenger train on stone-arch bridge

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Re-laying a third track on the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River and building a new 5-mile-long main line track through the Altoona, Pa., yard are part of a proposed Norfolk Southern-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plan to add a second Pennsylvanian daily passenger train. In addition, the plan would install three […]

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SMS Rail, short line noted for Baldwins, hit by theft

Two green locomotives in industrial yard.

LOGAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — SMS Rail Service, the New Jersey short line celebrated for its continuing use of Baldwin locomotives, has been hit by scrap thieves who stole some $135,000 in parts from locomotives and railcars. NJ.com reports parts including high-voltage cables, motor cables, air brake equipment and brass wheel bearings were stolen from seven […]

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Congress gets an earful about railroad service

Man speaking while seated at microphone

WASHINGTON — A combination of Precision Scheduled Railroading and pressure from Wall Street has prompted railroads to slash costs and raise rates while providing less reliable service, rail shippers and labor told Congress on Tuesday. The House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee hearing was focused on the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board and how the […]

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Lionel Legacy Boston & Maine No. 801 SW8 locomotive

Lionel SW8 switcher locomotive

Lionel Legacy SW8 locomotive Lionel has released an SW8 switcher locomotive in its Legacy line. Classic Toy Trains editor Hal Miller gives you a first look at this engine, which is loaded with extra details like a fan-driven smoke unit, operating couplers, unique number boards, a bell, a single smokestack, two horns, and so much […]

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