MG Tower, a landmark on the former Pennsylvania Railroad Pittsburgh Line through the Allegheny Mountains, is reportedly facing demolition by current owner Norfolk Southern 27 years after its closure. The tower was built to help the Pennsylvania deal with the increased demand to transport war materials, troops, civilian passenger trains, and regular freight shipments. In […]
Tank car of molasses explodes in Minnesota, damaging building An explosion of a tank car full of molasses on Tuesday morning in Cannon Falls, Minn., spewed the sticky substance as far as a mile and a half from the site of the incident. RiverTowns.net reports the Cannon Falls Fire Department received a call about an […]
Steam Directory editor, heritage rail pioneer Marvin Cohen Marvin Cohen, editor of the Steam Directory from 1966 to 1989, passed away at home in Middletown, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2020, at age 93. Mark Smith, Cohen’s successor, credited Cohen with an “incalculable contribution” to the heritage rail industry by creating the “bible of the industry.” […]
ALNA, Maine — The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum’s board of directors endorsed a plan for a new roundhouse during its monthly meeting on March 13, thanks to a generous donation by a long-time member. Jason Lamontage, museum superintendent and chief mechanical officer, said, “The roundhouse will be much more than a replica of […]
Western Maryland Scenic says No. 1309 is being prepared for FRA inspection Western Maryland Scenic Railroad officials say C&O 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is “100% operational” and believe the locomotive will be operating this summer, although it awaits a few parts and must address “a few leaks” before receiving its Federal Railroad Administration inspection. The Cumberland […]
Department of Justice in talks with California to settle suit over funds withheld from high speed rail project The U.S. Department of Justice is in talks with California to settle a lawsuit resulting from the Trump administration’s cancellation of a $929 million grant for the state’s high speed rail project. Reuters reports the Justice Department […]
Competing Shore Shore station plans for South Bend, Ind., face growing costs Competing plans to build a new South Shore Line station in South Bend, Ind. — one envisioning a downtown station, another for a relocated stop to replace the current terminus at the South Bend airport — have stalled several years after being floated, […]
WASHINGTON — The Massachusetts congressional delegation has asked the Surface Transportation Board to consider CSX Transportation’s acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways as a significant transaction, which would put the deal under a more stringent regulatory review process. “While the STB’s procedures for a significant transaction provide additional time for interested parties to […]
WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation has defended its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. Vermont Rail System, along with transportation officials from Vermont and Massachusetts, claim the deal would harm rail competition in the region and should face a more thorough review from the Surface Transportation Board. Massachusetts officials and lawmakers also expressed […]
NJ Transit to introduce customer rewards program in April NJ Transit is introducing a customer rewards program where passengers will earn points toward purchase at participating local businesses. Customers will be able to join the NJT Rewards program through the NJ Transit mobile app beginning April 5. Points will be good for deals at participating […]
California agencies set online ‘Corridor Conversations’ event about passenger rail service The agency that manages Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner service is hosting a free public online event, “Corridor Conversations,” featuring presentations from and a roundtable discussion by leadership of California’s three state-supported intercity passenger rail corridors. Participants will include Donna DeMartino, managing director of the host […]
Former Long Island Rail Road signalman charged for false report, could face two years in prison A former Long Island Rail Road signalman has been charged with falsifying a track inspection report at a location where a train derailed in 2019, according to a criminal complaint announced Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the […]
