Prototype News

Conductor Behind Revived Ski Train Calls for ‘Rail Bridge’ in Colorado

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Mon, 2025/04/14 - 21:01

A retired Amtrak conductor credited with reviving Colorado’s legendary ski train is hatching a plan to take freight off of the constantly-congested Interstate 70 and put it on the former Denver & Rio Grande Western main line. 

Brad Swartwelter developed the business plan for the Winter Park Express, which operates between Denver and Winter Park, Colo., on weekends to transport skiers and riders to the slopes. On days when the train doesn’t run, those travelers are usually forced to drive on Interstate 70 through the mountains. To help alleviate that traffic, Swartwelter aims to construct a “rail bridge” that would enable trucks (approximately 2,000 per day travel along I-70) to be loaded onto rail cars and then transported via Union Pacific’s Moffat Subdivision. 

Interstate 70 connects Denver to several ski resorts, and every hour it is closed due to an accident, the state loses $2 million in economic activity. Last year, the highway was shut down 99 times. 

“I-70 is our biggest problem in this state,” Swartzwelter told the Denver Gazette. “The congestion is unbearable. All we need is one trucker making a mistake to cause one of the 99 shutdowns that pummels us and takes away millions of dollars, especially from places like Vail. Removing the trucks from I-70 and putting them in a different corridor would relieve well over 70 percent of the problem.”

Swartwelter envisions constructing facilities west of Grand Junction and east of Denver that would allow for loading and unloading trucks onto flatcars, much like they do in Europe. The train would include a sleeping car, enabling truck drivers to rest during their journey across the state. To fund the construction of the facilities and acquire the rail cars, Swartwelter is advocating for a voter-approved bond to cover the expenses. 

One thing is certain: the former Rio Grande across the state has the capacity for additional freight. Today, only a handful of UP and BNSF Railway (using trackage rights) trains operate across the state. —Justin Franz 

The post Conductor Behind Revived Ski Train Calls for ‘Rail Bridge’ in Colorado appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

BNSF, NS Partner to Speed Up Transon Intermodal Service

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Sun, 2025/04/13 - 21:01

BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance announced on April 2 that they have redesigned their service offerings to reduce the number of days it takes for a container to travel from the West Coast to Chicago. 

Currently, it takes nine days for an intermodal container to leave the ship at the Ports of Tacoma or Seattle and then reach Chicago. However, due to operational changes at the ports, this time has now been reduced to six days. To improve service to destinations east of Chicago, BNSF and NS are now collaborating on a smoother and quicker handoff in Chicago. 

“This service product collaboration was an outcome of listening to our joint customers, who emphasized the desire to use more rail, but would need to also reduce inventory carrying and total landed transportation costs out of their networks in 2025,” said BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products Jon Gabriel. “We are proud to deliver a solution that accomplishes these goals.”

Railroad officials said the changes have resulted in the fastest route between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago. 

“At Norfolk Southern, we’re focused on delivering smart, customer-centric solutions—and this enhanced service from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest is exactly that,” said Shawn Tureman, Vice President of Intermodal Automotive Commercial. “By collaborating with BNSF and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, we’re offering a faster, more reliable rail option that helps shippers reduce transit time, cut costs, and streamline supply chains heading into 2025 and beyond. —Justin Franz 

The post BNSF, NS Partner to Speed Up Transon Intermodal Service appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

Rochester & Genesee Valley Museum Celebrates LA&L’s 60th Anniversary

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Fri, 2025/04/11 - 10:31

The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad is celebrating its 60th anniversary this weekend with a variety of events in western New York. 

The LA&L was established in 1965 when local residents banded together to save a former Erie Lackawanna branch line that connected the railroad’s namesake communities. The short line’s first train operated on April 7, 1965. Sixty years later, the LA&L has expanded into a 400-mile system comprising four lines in New York and Pennsylvania. 

Anniversary celebrations commenced on Friday morning at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush, N.Y., which preserves several historic pieces of equipment from the LA&L fleet. Among them is LA&L RS-1 20, which was dedicated on Friday to former LA&L board member Eugene Blabey, who passed away in 2024.

Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad President and CEO Bob Babcock speaks at a press conference marking the railroad’s 60th anniversary on Friday. Photo by Otto Vondrak. 

On Friday night, LA&L was scheduled to host a sold-out night photo session at its shops in Lakeville. 

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will operate short excursions featuring two of its three LA&L locomotives: RS-1 20, which was donated to the museum in 2016, and S-2 72, donated in 2023. The excursions will also include LA&L caboose 2603, built for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway in 1918. General Electric 45-tonner 41 will also be on display. Originally built by GE in 1941 for use at its own Riverworks plant in Lynn, Mass., this locomotive was the first unit purchased by LA&L in 1964. However, the railroad quickly realized it was too small for its needs, and it never turned a wheel for the LA&L. Instead, it was sold to Rochester Gas & Electric, where it operated until 1991. Lastly, LA&L plow 4410, which was donated to the museum in 2023, will also be on display. 

Tickets for this weekend’s excursions can be purchased online. —Justin Franz 

The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville office car train is seen at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum on Friday. Photo by Otto Vondrak. 

Read more about the LA&L’s 60th anniversary in the April 2025 issue of Railfan & Railroad. Subscribe Today!

 

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Categories: Prototype News

Wilmington & Western Employees Let Go As Shutdown Continues

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Thu, 2025/04/10 - 21:01

Three employees of the Wilmington & Western Railroad were let go earlier this week. The news came more than a month after the railroad announced it would suspend operations for the 2025 season to repair its aging equipment.

According to a social media post by a group called “Concerned Volunteers of the WWRR” (which was also shared on the railroad’s official page), the general manager, account manager, and volunteer program manager were all dismissed by the board of directors on April 3. The post states that the board cited a “reduction in operational needs of the organization” as the reason for the layoffs. 

On February 27, the railroad announced it was taking a “proactive step” by shutting down operations to focus on equipment repairs. Sources close to the railroad informed Railfan & Railroad that a major issue is the reliability of its locomotives. Last year, some holiday excursions had to be canceled due to a lack of available motive power. Both of the railroad’s steam locomotives, 0-6-0 58 and 4-4-0 98, are currently out of service.

Long-time volunteers tell Railfan & Railroad that they are concerned about the railroad’s future and how it is currently being managed. —Railfan & Railroad Staff

The post Wilmington & Western Employees Let Go As Shutdown Continues appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

Emery Rail Heritage Trust Awards $250,000 in Grants

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Wed, 2025/04/09 - 21:01

The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust awarded nearly $250,000 in grants to 18 projects across the country this week, the trust announced. 

Emery was a Chicago-native and lifelong railroad enthusiast who created the trust to fund projects that preserve the “Golden Age” of passenger railroading, specifically the years between 1920 and 1960. The trust is particularly interested in projects that allow the public to ride historically significant pieces of equipment. Groups are able to submit grant proposals up until Feb. 1 each year, and then a three-person committee reviews the proposals.

Organizations that were awarded funds included:

Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society: $13,100 to continue refurbishment work on their two RDCs.

Black River Railroad Historical Trust: $11,000 for their Lackawanna coach 605 for wheel, truck and brake work.

Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust: $15,000 for HVAC for their heavyweight Pullman car “Beaver.”

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc: $15,000 for interior updates, upgrades and modifications to their Pullman car Kitchi Gammi Club.

Fox River Trolley Association, Inc: $10,000 to rebuild seats on their CA&E interurban car 316.

Iron Horse Society at Steamtown, Inc: $15,000 towards the restoration of their ex-DL&W coach 335.

Iron Mountain Railway: $2,600 for replacement windows for their ex-NYC coach 3135.

Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, Inc: $15,000 for reupholstery work for their ex-Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level coach. 

Northwest Railway Museum: $7,500 for upgrades to their Pullman parlor car 1049.

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation: $27,000 for restoration of four of the six-driver boxes for their OR&N steam locomotive 197.

Railroading Heritage of Midwest America: $10,000 for new windows for their coaches Wenonah and Nokomas.

Railway Restoration Project 113: $25,000 to help with new tubes and flues for the CNJ 0-6-0 113.

San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society: $10,000 for work on their ex-Santa Fe Pine series sleeper/dormitory car 2506. 

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: $20,000 for restoration work on their Pullman heavyweight sleeper Maitland.

Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Inc: $15,000 for mechanical work on their ex-DL&W F3a 663.

United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey: $15,000 for operational restoration of NYC tavern lounge car 37.

National Railway Historical Society, Washington, DC Chapter, Inc: $8,800 for rebuilding and reupholstering the cushioned seats of the banquette tables in their Pullman heavyweight Dover Harbor.

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation: $15,000 for restoration work on their ex-NYC grill diner 456.

The post Emery Rail Heritage Trust Awards $250,000 in Grants appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

Western Maryland 1309 Slated For Springtime Return

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Tue, 2025/04/08 - 21:01

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced that Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 1309 would return to service this spring for the first time in over a year. The locomotive is expected to begin leading weekend excursions on May 3. 

WMSR spent over $3.5 million to restore the steam locomotive, one of the largest operating steam locomotives in the country, in 2020. However, in late 2023, the railroad discovered issues with its pistons — problems that had not been addressed during the previous restoration. As a result, the locomotive had to be taken out of service. Since then, shop crews have been working to return the locomotive to operation. 

Locomotive 1309 was built by Baldwin in 1949, retired in 1956, and displayed at the B&O Railroad Museum in 1972. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad purchased the locomotive from the museum in 2014, and restoration began that summer at their shops in Ridgeley, W.Va. For more information and to donate, visit wmsr.com/donate. —Justin Franz 

The post Western Maryland 1309 Slated For Springtime Return appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

Great Plains Transportation Museum Hires Executive Director

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Mon, 2025/04/07 - 21:01

A Wichita, Kan., man has been hired as the Great Plains Transportation Museum’s first ever paid employee. Lon Smith, 62, became the museum’s executive director on March 10. Smith’s mission will be to expand the museum’s fundraising efforts and enhance the visitor and volunteer experience there. 

Smith previously held leadership roles at the Kansas Aviation Museum, the Museum of World Treasures and the Wichita Independent Business Association. 

“Everyone loves trains, and GPTM has a wonderful opportunity to enhance the experience guests have at a hands-on museum that celebrates the terrific history and current-day importance of the region’s railroads,” Smith said in a press release. “Being centrally located in Old Town, and having a railroad mainline adjacent to the museum, we have the unique ability for visitors to experience both historical and current trains and railroading. We will explore a myriad of ways to enhance that experience and attract more visitors to the downtown/Old Town area.”

The museum was founded in 1983 and has a number of locomotives and rail cars on display, including Santa Fe FP45 93 (which is currently being restored to its historic warbonnet scheme) and Santa Fe 4-8-4 3768.

For more information, visit gptm.us. —Railfan & Railroad Staff

 

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Categories: Prototype News

Reading 2100 Fired Up For First Time Following Decade-Long Restoration

Railnews from Railfan & Railroad Magazine - Sun, 2025/04/06 - 22:11

Reading Company 4-8-4 2100 was fired up for the first time on April 3 and 4, following a decade-long restoration in Cleveland. The test fire marked the first time the locomotive had been under steam since the early 2000s, representing a major step forward in the effort to bring the locomotive back to the main line. 

“After nearly ten years of dedicated volunteer and professional labor totaling more than $1.6 million dollars and countless unexpected obstacles, we’ve done it,” said American Steam Railroad Preservation Association Rob Gardner. “Ten years ago, none of us expected that it would take this long to get here, but we have stayed the course the entire way, being sure that no corners were cut and every detail addressed appropriately.”

During the test, the locomotive’s boiler, piping, and water delivery systems were evaluated with the assistance of contractors and volunteers. With a successful test fire completed, the group is now focusing on running gear work and final assembly. This will include a fresh coat of paint, honoring the American Freedom Train livery worn by sister locomotive 2101 in the 1970s. For this, Reading 2100 will also receive a new number, 250, to commemorate the country’s 25th anniversary in 2027. Forrest Nace, ASR treasurer and volunteer, stated that if the group can raise $139,050 over the next few months, they will be able to start break-in runs before the end of the year. 

Reading 2100 was built in the railroad’s own shops in September 1945 by essentially expanding an existing Baldwin 2-8-0. The locomotive ran into the 1960s. In 1975, it and its sister locomotive, 2101, were purchased by Ross Rowland. Locomotive 2101 was restored for the American Freedom Train while 2100 served as a parts source. Locomotive 2100 was briefly restored in the 1980s before moving to Ontario and then Washington State, where it briefly ran in the 2000s. In 2015, the locomotive was moved to Ohio to be restored by ASRPA. 

Donations can be mailed to the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, 2800 W. 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113, or made online at www.americansteamrailroad.org. —Justin Franz 

The post Reading 2100 Fired Up For First Time Following Decade-Long Restoration appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Categories: Prototype News

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