BNSF derailment in Arizona leads to Southwest Chief cancellations

Aerial view of derailed auto racks

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Twenty-three cars of a BNSF Railway train carrying new vehicles derailed east of Williams, Ariz., Thursday night, leading to cancellation of Amtrak Southwest Chief service through the area today, KAFF Radio reports. The derailment involving a 167-car train occurred about 11:20 p.m., according to Coconino County Emergency Management. A BNSF representative told […]

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Nevada rail museum in Boulder City receives $23 million for new visitor’s center

Rendering of planned museum visitor center

BOULDER CITY, Nev. — The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City will receive more than $23 million to build a new visitor’s center as part of a capital bill passed this week by the state legislature. Assembly Bill 1, passed Tuesday in a special legislative session, includes almost $2 billion for capital projects ranging […]

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Nevada governor vetoes rail regulation bill

Man in suit with U.S. and state flags in background

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has vetoed a bill that would have limited train lengths in the state to 7,500 feet, and set requirements for hotbox detectors along rail lines. Assembly Bill 456, which had passed the Assembly 28-14 and the Senate 13-8, required wayside detectors every 10 to 15 miles or […]

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Steam locomotive No. 4960 heads June “First Saturday” excursion to Grand Canyon

GC4960

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — As part of the 2023 steam schedule of operating the “First Saturday” excursions, Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s 2-8-2 No. 4960 was fired up for the special occasion. The former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive, with assistance from F40 diesel No. 4128, headed the railway’s round-trip excursion train from Williams to […]

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Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD Trailer

Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD | 16128 Geared engines were some of the most unique steam locomotives ever built. They were designed to go into the woods, over very steep gradesand questionable track to bring logs or coal out to either a mill or an interchange with a mainline.  Join Trains magazine in […]

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Great American Steam Locomotives: Articulateds DVD Trailer

Great American Steam Locomotives: Articulateds DVD | 16126 The Articulateds are the largest steam locomotives ever built. Starting as slow speed monsters hauling heavy trains over mountain ridges, they became a regular feature of many of the largest Class 1 railroads, handling everything from slow drag freights, to fast time freights, and even were able […]

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Grand Canyon Railway No. 4960 continues centennial year into May

GC4960

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — As part of the 2023 steam schedule of operating the “First Saturday” excursions, Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s 2-8-2 No. 4960 was fired up for the special occasion. The former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive, with assistance from F40 diesel No. 4128, headed the railway’s round-trip excursion train from Williams to […]

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News photos: Santa Fe 2926 takes a short trip

Large crowds around steam locomotive

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Restored Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 made about a half-mile move down the spur track from its restoration site to a local brewery on Saturday, May 6, 2023, drawing thousands of onlookers for a fundraising event. The movement was the first time in 20 years the engine, built by Baldwin in 1944, […]

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Santa Fe No. 2926 to make short trip for Albuquerque fundraiser

Steam locomotive blowing out steam

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 will take leave its restoration yard for the first time in more than 20 years next Saturday, May 6, making a short trip for a display at a brew pub about a half-mile away. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society will display the locomotive […]

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Nevada, California legislators back federal funding for Brightline West

Illustration of high-speed Brightline West train

LAS VEGAS — Members of Congress from Nevada and California are backing Nevada’s effort to land federal funding for the Brightline West high speed rail project, writing U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to express “strong support” for the state’s grant application. Brightline West and the Nevada Department of Transportation applied for up to $3.75 billion […]

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Grand Canyon Railway No. 4960 steams up for Earth Day

Black steam locomotive pulling passenger train around curve

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel provided an Earth Day celebration with some steam added to the mix in the form of their 2-8-2 No. 4960. The former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad steam locomotive, with assistance from F40 diesel No. 4128, pulled the railway’s round-trip excursion train from Williams to the […]

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