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Chicago’s Metra adds diesel locos
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CHICAGO commuter rail operator Metra is buying 24 former Amtrak California diesel locos, and has ordered 15 rebuilt freight locos to replace older diesels. Metra bought 24 F59PHI locos from Amtrak in 2018 and is currently overhauling and repainting them into its livery. They have entered service in 2019, mainly operating from Chicago Union on…
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Battery-fitted trams for Oklahoma
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THE new light rail system in Oklahoma City opened on December 14, 2018, and is operated as two loops: a 7.8km north-south Downtown Loop, which also shares tracks with almost all of the route used by the 3.2km Bricktown Loop in the Bricktown entertainment district. The system is electrified at 740V DC except for several short…
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Stadler ‘FLIRTs’ in service in Texas
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TEXAS gained a new commuter railway in January, which is operated using eight Stadler-built ‘FLIRT’ DEMUs, incorporating central diesel power pack units. Stadler assembled the trains at its new factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 43km TEXRail line links two stations in central Fort Worth with DFW Airport, and currently has five other intermediate…
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Classic Viennese trams fading away as new stock takes over
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ONE of Europe’s most numerous tram designs is fast disappearing. Vienna tram operator Wiener Linien bought more than 500 Type E trams, based on the German Duewag articulated design, between 1959 and 1990. The older trams have already been replaced by the Siemens-built ‘ULF’ (Ultra Low Floor) design LRVs, and most of the remaining Type…
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New Zealand diesel preservation progress
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LEADING New Zealand diesel preservation group the Diesel Traction Group (DTG) has begun restoration of New Zealand Railways’ (NZR) first mainline loco, which was built by English Electric (EE) in 1954. This follows the successful return to main line use of Australian EE-built loco No. Di 1102 last year, the only survivor of five locos…
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Rotterdam tram museum celebrates 30th anniversary
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ROTTERDAM tram museum Rotterdamsche Tramweg Maatschappij (RTM) celebrated 30 years at its base at De Punt, on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee, in late May. The relocation of the museum site, south-west of Rotterdam, was driven by redevelopment at the old site, but gave RTM the opportunity to lay much more track. They now have 10km…
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Unique Arizona electrified line to close
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THE 78-mile long electrified Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad (BM&LPRR) in the USA – the world’s first to use 50kV (60Hz) AC supply voltage – will close soon as the power station it serves is being shut in the next few weeks. The line is owned by a state utility supply company, and runs…
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Painstaking restoration for Wickham trolley at Midsomer Norton
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A TYPE 27A MkIII gangers’ trolley (Wickham 7504) has had a thorough restoration at the Somerset & Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton. When acquired it had been robbed of parts for the restoration of sister Wickham 7505 (Nos. PWM4302 and TR19) at Norden on the Swanage Railway. The Midsomer Norton vehicle has had to have many parts…
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Unique Class 89 makes a ghostly appearance
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THE sole Class 89 25kV AC Co-Co electric loco – No. 89001 (Avocet) – continues to receive attention from AC Locomotive Group volunteers at Barrow Hill (RM June 94). Technical work is focused on the internal restoration, but the body has received a protective coat of paint, as seen here on August 10. This loco was…
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Rare trip for ‘spruced-up’ East Somerset two-colour DMU
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CLASS 108 DMU DMBS No. M51909 and DTCL No. M56271 has received considerable attention, including reupholstered seats and re-flooring within the interior. The driving trailer has been repainted in BR blue but not yet lettered. The driving motor will be repainted over the coming winter. The pair are owned by the Mendip Traction & Rolling Stock Group.…
