RailNews

Your source for news compiled by the staff of Railfan & Railroad magazine. Please contact us if you have a story to share!

STB Pumps the Brakes on Watco’s Takeover of Great Lakes Central

June 2, 2025

STB Pumps the Brakes on Watco’s Takeover of Great Lakes Central

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board is seeking additional information about Watco’s proposed takeover of the Great Lakes Central Railroad. 


Supreme Court Gives Uinta Basin Railway High Green

May 30, 2025

Supreme Court Gives Uinta Basin Railway High Green

On May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision that threatened to halt the construction of the proposed Uinta Basin Railway through eastern Utah. 


Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Introduces New Excursion

May 29, 2025

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Introduces New Excursion

The new train will run from Chama, N.M., to the summit of Cumbres Pass at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, giving visitors a brief taste of the dramatic mountain railroad.


IRM Decapod to Undergo Early Rebuild

May 28, 2025

IRM Decapod to Undergo Early Rebuild

Frisco 1630 was built by Baldwin in 1918 for use in Russia, but it remained in the U.S. after the Bolshevik government could not pay for it.


UP ‘Big Boy’ to Visit Denver in July

May 27, 2025

UP ‘Big Boy’ to Visit Denver in July

Railroad promises “big” celebration for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.


WW&F Launches Campaign to Finish New Coach

May 27, 2025

WW&F Launches Campaign to Finish New Coach

The new coach 9 is based on one constructed by Jackson & Sharp in 1894 for the WW&F predecessor, Wiscasset & Quebec.


Amtrak Demonstrator Restored in Sweden

May 23, 2025

Amtrak Demonstrator Restored in Sweden

Rc4 X995 was loaned to Amtrak in the 1970s for testing that led to the development of the AEM-7.


Baltimore Streetcar Museum Hires Executive Director

May 22, 2025

Baltimore Streetcar Museum Hires Executive Director

The Baltimore Streetcar Museum has hired its first-ever full-time employee: executive director Matthew W. Nawn.


Metra Takes Control of Union Pacific Commuter Operations

May 21, 2025

Metra Takes Control of Union Pacific Commuter Operations

Metra assumed operating responsibility of Union Pacific’s three Chicago-area commuter lines on May 16.


Historic New York Central cars move to Finger Lakes for series of public excursions

May 20, 2025

Historic New York Central cars move to Finger Lakes for series of public excursions

Historic New York Central passenger cars are coming to upstate New York to operate a series of excursions on Finger Lakes Railway this summer.