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EXCLUSIVE Big Boy 4014 restoration countdown p. 48 Amtrak

www.TrainsMag.com • June 2018 ends special moves p. 6

THE magazine of railroading Fast, frequent, profitable FEC spins intermodal gold

in less than 500 miles p. 40

All aboard Brightline’s passenger train p. 52 BONUS ONLINE 50 years ago: Rio Grande’s last narrow gauge freight p. 24 CONTENT CODE PG. 3 Taiwan: Paciﬁc railway paradise p. 30 HIGH CAPACITY I PRECISION I RELIABILITY

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www.plasseramerican.com œ3ODVVHU 7KHXUHUŔœ3ODVVHUŔDQGœ3 7Ŕare internationally registered trademarks Online Content Code: TRN1806 Enter this code at: www.TrainsMag.com/code june 2018 to gain access to web-exclusive content vol. 78, no. 6 news and features

FEATURES

40 COVER STORY >> High hurdles Taiwan video for short-haul 24 30 >> See Taiwan from the cab intermodal Cumbres freight Railway island of a Puyuma tilt train Railroads need to provide ﬁnale paradise faster, more frequent In 1968, America’s last Ride through Taiwan behind service. But how? revenue steam freights GE electrics, Shays, high speed Bill Stephens ran on a Class I railroad locomotives, and more Russell B. Sperry Jefrey T. Schultz

38 48 52 Workshop action Map of the Month: Big push for Big Boy Brightline: Blazing >> Take a video tour of Crossing the With the 1-year clock ticking, new trails Brightline’s maintenance facility Cascades Union Paciic closes in on Florida trains could Comparing the railroads the biggest steam restoraton rewrite book on through Washington of all time: 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 U.S. passenger service Bill Metzger Jim Wrinn Bob Johnston

<< ON THE COVER Powered by a pair of Florida East NEWS Coast ES44C4s and GP40-2 No. 436, FEC train 107 rolls through 6 News & Photos St. Augustine, Fla., on March 14, 2016. Photo by Drew Halverson 14 Fred W. Frailey TRAINS newsletter 16 Brian Solomon >> Sign up on our home 18 Locomotive page for a free weekly email 20 Technology newsletter. Photo by Frank Keller 22 Passenger

DEPARTMENTS 4 From the Editor 5 Railway Post Office 62 Preservation >> Subscribers can access all 64 Hot Spots the latest news and updates to 66 Ask TRAINS stories daily on TRAINS News Wire 24 50 years ago: Rio 40 Fast, frequent, 73 Gallery Grande’s last narrow profitable: FEC >> Follow gauge freight 48 Big Boy 4014 us on 30 Taiwan: Pacific restoration countdown railway paradise 52 All aboard Brightline

TRAINS Magazine (issn 0041-0934, usps 529-850) is published monthly by Kalmbach Publishing Co., 21027 Crossroads Circle, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI, 53187-1612. Periodicals postage paid at Waukesha, Wis., and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to TRAINS, P.O. Box 62320, Tampa, FL 33662-2320. Canada Publication Mail Agreement #40010760. FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR Jim Wrinn

ART DIRECTOR homas G. Danneman

PRODUCTION EDITOR Angela Pusztai-Pasternak JIM WRINN ASSOCIATE EDITOR David Lassen ASSOCIATE EDITOR Brian Schmidt

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Steve Sweeney A bright spot for passengers EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Diane Laska-Swanke SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Scott Krall

As Bob Johnston reports in his story on Florida’s new SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Drew Halverson privately run passenger train, Brightline, we are entering LEAD ILLUSTRATOR Rick Johnson PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Sue Hollinger-Klahn an evolving era in American transportation. his LIBRARIAN homas Hofmann COLUMNISTS Fred W. Frailey, Brian Solomon

development is surprising — we’ve had only one national CORRESPONDENTS Roy Blanchard, Michael W. Blaszak, Al DiCenso, Hayley Enoch, Justin Franz, Steve Glischinski, rail carrier, Amtrak, for almost 50 years. Why now? Chase Gunnoe, Chris Guss, Scott A. Hartley, Bob Johnston, David Lester, David Lustig, Bill Stephens I went to south Florida in January to work there? Will Americans be willing to CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Bill Metzger ind out. I witnessed Brightline test runs give up the freedom of their cars for the CUSTOMER SERVICE between West Palm Beach and Fort Lau- speed and eiciency of the train? phone: (877) 246-4843 derdale, a distance of about 50 miles. It’s My best guess is there’s enough people Outside the U.S. and Canada: (813) 910-3616 Customer Service: [email protected] impressive. From its modern stations and fed up with the crowded highways that, in Digital: [email protected] brand-new rolling stock, to its numerous 10 years, we’ll be talking about Brightline- Back Issues: [email protected] amenities and garish colors, it ofers a type operations in far-lung areas of the na- ADVERTISING SALES phone: (888) 558-1544, ext. 625 unique irst-class experience. tion. Such a concept won’t work everywhere, email: [email protected] I also came to understand why Bright- but in regions where millions of Americans EDITORIAL phone: (262) 796-8776 line’s creators think they’ll succeed in this live, work, and play, and in corridors where email: [email protected] market: he area is heavily populated and trains can seamlessly connect to other fax: (262) 798-6468 P.O. Box 1612 sufers from serious highway congestion. modes of transportation, it will happen. Waukesha, WI 53187-1612

Even with Tri-Rail commuter trains on See you on board! SELLING TRAINS MAGAZINE OR PRODUCTS IN YOUR STORE: another route, it’s ripe for a transportation phone: 800-558-1544 Outside U.S. and Canada: 262-796-8776, ext. 818 alternative. he day I visited the shops (to email: [email protected] ilm a video tour for www.TrainsMag.com), website: www.Retailers.Kalmbach.com I was delayed by not one but three car TRAINS HOME PAGE wrecks on Interstate 95. he railroad’s pub- [email protected] www.TrainsMag.com lic relations rep was an hour late, also on KALMBACH PUBLISHING CO. account of heavy traic. CEO Dan Hickey Brightline is another choice for con- SENIOR VP, SALES & MARKETING Daniel R. Lance sumers, but that’s not all that it is banking VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT Stephen C. George on. It is also developing its own real estate EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Diane M. Bacha holdings with residential units adjacent to VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER MARKETING Nicole McGuire stations. It’s not an “if you build it, they will ART AND PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael Soliday come” situation. It’s “install your customers CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Liz Runyon NEW BUSINESS MANAGER Cathy Daniels next door, and they will ride.” RETENTION MANAGER Kathy Steele hat bodes well for ridership, as does the SINGLE-COPY SPECIALIST Kim Redmond increasing number of Americans for whom ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Scott Redmond automobile ownership is now optional. A ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Mike Yuhas

car, with its capital costs, insurance, park- AD SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE Christa Burbank ing, gas, and maintenance, is a burden to urbanites who get around by using Uber, FOUNDER A.C. Kalmbach, 1910-1981 Subscription rate: single copy: $6.99; U.S. 1 year (12 issues) $42.95; Lyt, and — presumably, if it’s fast, a pleas- 2 years (24 issues) $79.95; 3 years (36 issues) $114.95. ant experience, and convenient — a train. Canadian: Add $12.00 postage per year. All other international subscrip- tions: Add $15.00 postage per year. Payable in U.S. funds, drawn on a As we watch Brightline grow and ex- U.S. bank (Canadian price includes GST) BN 12271 3209 RT. ©2018 Kalmbach Publishing Co. Any publication, reproduction, or use pand in south Florida, eventually extending without express permission in writing of any text, illustration, or photo- to the Orlando airport and to Miami, it will graphic content in any manner is prohibited except for inclusion of brief quotations when credit is given. Title registered as trademark. TRAINS be interesting to see if the concept is ex- assumes no responsibility for the safe return of unsolicited photos, art- work, or manuscripts. Acceptable photos are paid for upon publication. portable to other parts of the nation. Photos to be returned must include return postage. Feature articles are Some regions are becoming ridiculously paid for upon acceptance. For information about submitting photos or articles, see Contributor Guidelines at www.TrainsMag.com. Printed in overcrowded and congested — the Fort A southbound Brightline test train departs U.S.A. All rights reserved. Member, Alliance for Audited Media. Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs area West Palm Beach, Fla., in January 2018. along the Front Range comes to mind Perhaps we’ll see similar operations in immediately. Would a Brightline concept other parts of the nation. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn

4 Trains JUNE 2018 RAILWAY POST OFFICE 5LR*UDQGH6WHDP3DVVHQJHU7UDLQV 1HZ' 5*:1*'9'IURP LQFOXGHVVRPH6DQ-XDQ3DVVHQJHU([FXU VLRQV1LFH6KRZ0XVLF 1DUUDWLRQ 0LQ6 +86&DQDGD 2YHUVHDV&DW)UHHZLWK'9' *UHJ6FKROO9LGHR3URGXFWLRQV 32%R[7%DWDYLD2+ ZZZJUHJVFKROOYLGHRFRP

A pair of Arkansas-Oklahoma EMD GP30s, Nos. 2442 and 2443, sit at Howe, Okla., near the Kansas City Southern Railway interchange on Feb. 25, 2018. Rick Covert INDEPENDENT SHORT LINES lines and even those that are part of a Stop by and see us at he six short lines discussed in the larger holding group. WRI '18 Chicago in feature, “he Independents” [pages 24- Two of the lines that I follow closely the ExpoZone 31, April], are certainly standouts in the are the Arkansas & Missouri and Arkan- crowd as they seek out ways to improve sas-Oklahoma railroads. Both have service. hey not only maintain cus- unique challenges and interesting equip- tomer satisfaction, but also take care of ment rosters. From the vintage Alco all their maintenance issues. C420s and modern Electro-Motive Die- he regionals and short lines still do sel SD70ACes of the A&M to the classic what I remember watching the Class I GP30s of the AOK, it’s enough to excite railroads do while I was growing up. I any railfan or railroader alike. enjoy railfanning the independent short Rick Covert, Ozark, Ark.

>> CORRECTIONS WE PROVIDE RELIABLE AND COORDINATED RAIL SERVICES November 2017: bottom caption was incorrect. Former Florida FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND Page 45: The length of the ride on New East Coast 4-6-2 No. 148 was privately REPAIR OF RAILWAYS. York’s MTA Flushing Local No. 7 across owned and leased for the 1975 excursion by TRACKSAFE Queens was misstated in the bottom caption. the Mainline Steam Foundation. LUBE An automated lubrication system that The train only goes halfway to the Nassau January 2018: County line. Page 28: The location for the top left photo decreasing maintenance costs. December 2017: was incorrect. The photo shows the Canada » Automated Friction Management System » Reduction of rail and wheel wear up to 80% Page 48: The locomotive’s owner in the Line in Richmond, British Columbia. » Preassembled components allow for quick installation on track

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www.TrainsMag.com 5 NEWS&PHOTOS

Southern Paciﬁc GS-4 4-8-4 No. 4449 leads an excursion with Amtrak P42 No. 93 near Moody, Ore., in June 2017. Jeremiah Lietke ‘Varnish’ stripped from Amtrak? Private passenger car organization leaders hope the railroad will back off from ending excursions

Those mainline excursion tickets passenger railroad to reconsider its deci- Similarly, the Railroad Passenger Car you hold may be for a trip that will never sion that Jenkins says “will deprive gener- Alliance is working towards a solution happen. he near future for so-called “pri- ations of shared memories and end an and hopes to communicate its concerns to vate varnish” remains uncertain ater a late important tourism revenue stream.” Amtrak on behalf of the industry. March announcement by Amtrak that the Donnelley says the private car busi- “he policy as oicially released on railroad will discontinue booking excursions ness, which includes individual car moves March 28, 2018, will have drastic efects and special trains. Amtrak managers have and excursions, adds approximately on many private car owners, excursion unoicially committed to keep talking with $10 million in gross revenues to Amtrak. operators, private companies, and tourism the private car community, but have let Amtrak generates revenues from private in many communities that utilize Am- room for few exceptions to the policy. cars by charging operators to haul the cars trak’s service,” alliance President W. Roger “We must narrow our focus to running a either behind regularly scheduled trains Fuehring tells Trains. great core railroad: safe, on time, clean cars, or on their own special moves. “As we move forward, we hope to have friendly service, and great customer-facing an open dialogue with Amtrak in regards technology,” Amtrak’s notice read, in part. IN SHORT... to discussing this policy. We look forward A March 28 memorandum from the to returning not only the revenue stream American Association of Private Railroad Amtrak executives published a notice in to Amtrak that we produce with our clien- Car Owners urged its members contact March announcing the end of charters and tele, but the goodwill that we generate on lawmakers and opinion leaders about the special trains, effective immediately. behalf of Amtrak with every trip.” signiicance of private cars, just hours Excursion operators have relied on Amtrak’s Amtrak’s announcement prompted ater Amtrak announced it would do away liability insurance and authority to move on leadership at the Fort Wayne Railroad with the of-timetable moves. Association freight railroads. The effects on private Historical Society to postpone ticket sales members have also had their own requests passenger car moves remains unclear. for a planned September Joliet Rocket trip for a car move denied. in Chicago. Although the steam-hauled “Amtrak’s stated rationale for these runs would have taken place strictly on changes is that private varnish has the he memo also stated the association Metra lines in and near Chicago, and the potential to worsen on-time performance, is “working to get the most accurate infor- group has existing agreements with Nor- which is a major concern of president and mation about the full extent of Amtrak’s folk Southern to move the famed 2-8-4 CEO Richard Anderson,” the association’s policy, which may not yet be irmly in steam locomotive, the group’s passenger President Robert Donnelley wrote in the place, and to mount the strongest possible cars all have moved to Chicago yards memo, adding that the association’s efort to push back against it.” under Amtrak authority. annual convention and mid-year special Donnelley urged members to educate Amtrak has also provided the locomo- trains are at risk. elected oicials on the importance of tives and operating authority for the New At least one member of Congress has private cars and the number of jobs River Train which annually operates in heeded Donnelley’s call. he Associated associated with the industry. he memo autumn along West Virginia’s New River. Press reports that U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, talked about the efect to employment at Locals say Amtrak’s policy would kill the R-W.Va., wrote to Amtrak CEO Richard shops and other vendor facilities that train they say is worth $6 million a year to Anderson in late March asking for the provide support to private cars. them in tourist spending. — Chase Gunnoe

>> Get the latest news updates on TRAINS 6 Trains JUNE 2018 News Wire. Visit: www.TrainsMag.com Amtrak P42 No. 145 leads the 2017 Autumn Express in a photo runby at the Rhinecliff, N.Y., station. The sold-out, Amtrak- organized special is one kind of non-scheduled train Amtrak ofﬁcials ended in March. TRAINS: Brian Schmidt

Amtrak P42 No. 156 leads the 49th running of the New River Train Friends of the 261 passengers gaze out the rear windows of across the New River near Ansted, W.Va., in October 2015. The former Milwaukee Road observation car Cedar Rapids as it West Virginia tourist staple is among the best-known excursions moves between Chicago and St. Paul, Minn., in May 2017. threatened by Amtrak policies on excursions. Chase Gunnoe Amtrak hauled the car behind the Empire Builder. Bruce Stahl “WE LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING $10 “GIVEN THE 150+ NOT ONLY THE LIMITED The approximate number REVENUE of private cars certiﬁed REVENUE million THESE and available for use STREAM TO The amount of money in SERVICES on Amtrak trains. AMTRAK ..., BUT fees, annually, that private PROVIDE, IT IS Estimates are lower for THE GOODWILL car owners say they pay to the number of cars that THAT WE Amtrak for positioning DIFFICULT TO are active and higher GENERATE ON their passenger cars, JUSTIFY THE for the number of cars hauling them in special COST AND that meet Amtrak BEHALF OF excursions, and on the requirements but aren’t AMTRAK WITH OPERATIONAL ends of regularly RESOURCES.” currently certiﬁed for EVERY TRIP.” scheduled Amtrak trains. If — KIMBERLY service. — W. ROGER the fees were counted as WOODS, FUEHRING, ticket fares, they would be AMTRAK RAILROAD 0.45 percent of the REPRESENTATIVE PASSENGER CAR railroad’s 2017 ticket revenues of $2.18 billion. ALLIANCE

www.TrainsMag.com 7 N&P

Regulators show concerns about traffic slowness

Federal regulators are concerned about deterioration in railroad service metrics amid complaints from shipper groups. hose groups’ leaders say the railroad industry is mired in a slowdown that is delaying shipments of goods from automobiles to grain. he Surface Transportation Board in March asked Class I railroad CEOs to explain service problems and whether their railroads have the resources to meet current demand. Regulators also asked CEOs to outline their operational out- looks for the rest of the year. he board’s request came in response to letters from grain shippers and automakers that painted a picture of slow and erratic service across North America. Randall Gordon, president of the National Grain and Feed Association, blames the service decline on the industry’s pursuit of lower operating ratios. “his, in turn, has resulted in the sys- temic shedding of resources by Class I railroads, including locomotives and crews, that has degraded service to unacceptable levels, and resulted in virtually non-exis- tent surge capacity to meet rail customers’ needs,” Gordon wrote to the STB. he STB noted that service appears to be deteriorating at most of the Class I railroads, based on declines in average train speed and climbing average terminal dwell times. Other key metrics, such as the number of cars that have not moved in 48 hours, are trending in the wrong direction, the STB wrote. he performance metrics at three railroads — BNSF Railway, CSX Trans- portation, and Kansas City Southern — have held steady or improved as Canadian National, Canadian Paciic, Norfolk Southern, and Union Paciic have slowed MACHINE TOOL CORPORATION to varying degrees.

A Member Of The NSH Group Albany, New York, USA he service problems have largely prevented the industry from capitalizing on tightening truck capacity. Truck rates have risen sharply this year amid rising demand, while railroad executives and investors have expected to divert traic of of North American highways. Rail traic overall, however, remained in the doldrums through the irst 11 weeks of the year: Carload traic was down nearly smtgroup.com 1 percent, while intermodal was up 6 percent, according to the Association of American Railroads. — Bill Stephens

8 Trains JUNE 2018 Big “E” Productions RAILROAD The Leader in Contemporary Train DVDs >> NEWS BRIEFS COMMUNICATIONS MOTOROLA TWO-WAY RADIOS “No More Mindless Runbys” Begeman tapped as Portable • Mobile • Locomotive • Base Our DVDs show the Whole Train CP200D, 16F Scan, $410 We have 306 DVDs including 34 available in Blu- We XPR7550E, 1000F, Plus Digital, $797 next STB chair Guarantee ray that show the whole train. Most of our pro- Best RAILSCAN grams show all of the trains, day and night, for at President Donald Trump has Prices! MOBILE GAIN ANTENNA least 24 hours. Expert commentary gives the train symbol, origin and destination, and explains the appointed Ann D. Begeman to serve MHB5800 3db-Gain antenna, tuned to RR band, mag. mount…$84 history and operations of the railroad or railroads as acting chairman of the Surface SCANNERS in the video. Our programs are documentaries Transportation Board. Begeman is BC125A W/Narrowband . . . . . $155 that cover contemporary railroading from 1992 BC355N W/Narrowband . . . . . $140 to the present and were shot in locations all over serving a second 5-year term as a Please add $17 for shipping the United States and Canada. member of the board Call or write for a catalogue following her nomina- Railcom Big “E” Productions XPR7550 Box 38881 • Germantown, TN 38183 tion by President P. O. Box 75, Greenland, NH 03840 901-755-1514 • www.railcom.net 800-832-1228 or 603-430-3055, 24 hours a day. Barack Obama on email: [email protected] Or visit our Website at www.trainvideos.com Dec. 7, 2016, and her unanimous conﬁrma- tion by the U.S. Sen- ate on Dec. 9, 2016. Ann Begeman Begeman ﬁrst joined the board on May 2, 2011. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2020. InnoTrans 2018 As part of a network-wide $3.3-billion infrastructure program, BNSF Railway 18 – 21 SEPTEMBER BERLIN will lay a fourth track through Needles, International Trade Fair for Transport Technology Calif., in 2018. The 4-mile section of quadruple track is expected to boost Innovative Components Vehicles Systems the capacity of existing triple track on innotrans.com the railroad’s Needles Subdivision of the Southern Transcon. That improvement project is in addition to $230 million in other projects planned in California this year.

The first streetcar for Milwaukee’s new downtown service arrived March 26, by truck from Brookville Equipment Corp.’s factory in Brookville, Pa. The car is the first of five built for the 2.5- mile line, expected to open in late 2018. According to the Milwaukee Streetcar website, the line is projected to generate approximately 1,850 rides per day and more than 595,000 rides in 2019, its first full year of operation. The rest of the cars are expected to arrive during the next several months. On-street testing is expected to begin this spring.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says that a broken rail was involved in an Oct. 3, 2017, crash of a potash train on Canadian Pacific in rural Saskatchewan. Transportation THEFUTURE OF safety board officials say 37 of 170 cars in the covered hopper train MOBILITY derailed as the train rolled west on CP’s mainly single-track Maple Creek Subdivision toward Medicine Hat, Alberta. Rail pieces recovered from Contact the accident show evidence of verti- Mary Jo Balve cal split head fracturing in three Global Trade Show Services, Inc. 33 Prince Place, Little Silver, NJ 07739 places. Officials say the rail likely T +1 732 933 1118 broke when the train passed over it. [email protected]

www.TrainsMag.com 9 NEWS PHOTOS

>> ONE PIECE AT A TIME GE CW44-9 No. 905 is part of the locomotive builder’s test ﬂeet, built from spare parts in 2005 as the last domestic “Dash 9.” It was GE’s test control unit for years and, until 2017, wore only a basic number and primer paint. In November, No. 905 became GE’s Holiday Display unit. It was seen near Erie, Pa., in March. Stephan M. Koenig

>> KENTUCKY CRUNCH Norfolk Southern and Federal Railroad Administration investigators are looking into the cause of a March 19 collision between two NS trains in Georgetown, Ky. The crash derailed locomotives on both trains and 13 hopper cars. Ofﬁcials say one of the trains was stopped at the time of the collision. Tyler Hardin

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Stop by and see us in the ExpoZone at WRI ‘18 in Chicago

10 Trains JUNE 2018 >> WORK IT! Relco Locomotives of Albia, Iowa, built one of two maintenance-of-way trains ordered by Canadian Pacific. The consist includes a trio of 3-pack well cars retrofitted with rails for a modified John Deere 245G LC excavator. The A-end unit was built from a former CP 3000-series GP38. The B-end unit appears to have cab controls, but no engine. The B-end also houses the docking area for the excavator and attachments. The train is seen on the Iowa Southern Railway at Moravia, Iowa, in March. Bradley J. Grefe

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www.TrainsMag.com 11 NEWS&PHOTOS

Belt Railway Co. of Chicago signal maintainers work on the yard hump at Clearing Yards in Chicago. TRAINS collection The Batory interview New Federal Railroad Administration chief speaks with Trains about his vision for the safety agency

From the day he was sworn in as the the Dec. 31 deadline to install positive train head of the Federal Railroad Administra- control, or apply for waivers from the FRA. tion, Ronald L. Batory made his priorities “PTC is something I think about when I clear: Railroad safety today and greater go to bed at night, and when I wake up in safety tomorrow through new technology. the morning,” he says. “I’m thinking about Batory told his audience that railroads all 41 railroads, what each one of them are were his “living dream, and safety is an doing, and what level of urgency they’re endless theme in that dream. Rail safety is doing it. It’s not a matter of just doing it, it’s irst and foremost. Its practice is non-com- doing it right.” promising and non-negotiable. Safety is Before his Senate conirmation on embedded into our lives. It is the keystone Feb. 13, he reported to Transportation Sec- of the railroad industry,” he said. Federal Railroad Administration retary Elaine L. Chao as a special advisor “Safety and creative innovation must Administrator Ronald L. Batory shaking on railroads. She ordered the FRA to meet be coupled together. Transformative tech- hands at his Feb. 28 swearing-in ceremony separately with all railroads with PTC obli- nologies await us as we continue our 21st- in Washington. Two photos, R.G. Edmonson gations. Batory attended all 41 meetings. century journey.” Starting in 2016, the FRA began asking Batory had been on the job less than a “Every railroad is a concern of mine,” the railroads to submit quarterly progress week when he sat down with Trains for an he says. If a railroad’s safety record begins reports. Batory says candor was the greatest exclusive interview. If the direction he to degrade, “you’re going to start asking beneit of meeting face-to-face. he FRA wants to lead the agency is clear, he did not what is going on.” But FRA inspectors are laid its cards on the table, and expected the discuss the path in detail. not going to wait for a serious safety lapse “to-be-compliant” carriers to do the same. For example, ater Trains reported on- before they act. “You can get a lot more information line that CSX Transportation had come un- he one safety program that has held when you talk than you can from just look- der FRA scrutiny for rising personal injury Batory’s attention from the start is the ing at a quarterly report,” Batory says. “I and train accident rates, Batory was unwill- FRA’s role in shepherding 41 freight, pas- think it was helpful for those who came in ing to single out the railroad. senger, and commuter railroads to meet and disclosed where they were, and where “PTC IS SOMETHING I THINK ABOUT WHEN I GO TO BED AT NIGHT, AND WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING. I’M THINKING ABOUT ALL 41 RAILROADS, WHAT EACH ONE OF THEM ARE DOING, AND WHAT LEVEL OF URGENCY THEY’RE DOING IT. IT’S NOT A MATTER OF JUST DOING IT, IT’S DOING IT RIGHT.” — RONALD L. BATORY

12 Trains JUNE 2018 MORNING SUN BOOKS Available June 1, 2018 they think they’re going to be at year end. Hardcover Books hat dialog is not going to slow down with BICENTENNIALS some of those railroads.” IN COLOR Data from Dec. 31, 2017, show railroads’ VOLUME 1: A-F progress toward PTC readiness is spread by Stephen M. Timko widely. Some already have PTC in service, Item# 1647 while others have barely started. During a House hearing on Feb. 15, members of Con- gress openly doubted if certain commuter lines could make the deadline. What does Batory think? B&O POWER “Ask me that in six months. Right now I IN COLOR VOLUME 2: SWITCHERS, RDC’S, want to give them all the beneit of a >> BATORY FILE FIRST-GENERATION ROADSWITCHERS doubt,” he says. “None of them were ready by Bob Withers to fall on their swords yet. hey know what • Detroit native. Current resident of Item# 1648 Santa Fe, N.M. Order today at price of $59.95 apiece plus $7 shipping they have to do by Dec. 31, 2018. It’s theirs (add $2 for each add’l book) Canada-$12; foreign-$21, each. to do it.” • First signed on to the Detroit, Toledo & All books are shipped via U.S. Mail. Batory says safety has been ingrained in Ironton in 1971 as a freight-car- NJ (7%) residents add Sales Tax accounting auditor. railroad culture for more than 100 years. Find us on Visa/MC accepted – 9am-5pm Facebook Call (908) 806-6216 “hat was a banner that existed before I • Joined Grand Trunk Western in 1981. Morning Sun Books, Inc. got here, it exists today, and will exist when • Became vice president and general c/o W&C, 1200 CR #523 ~ Flemington, NJ 08822 manager of the Chicago, Missouri & I leave,” Batory says. and “Whatever you achieve in safety is not Western Railway in 1987. Softcover Books eBooks your inish line, until you achieve zero [ac- • Joined Southern Paciﬁc in 1989. CABOOSE COLOR cidents]. You are always looking for ways to • Named president of the Belt Railway Co. PORTFOLIO reduce risk and enhance safety,” he says. of Chicago in 1994. BOOK #2: “Whatever you achieve in the way of im- • Became president and chief operating D-M provement, you can do better. You never ofﬁcer of Conrail Shared Assets by Robert J. Yanosey succeed until you hit zero — and you sus- Operations in 2004; retired in 2017. #6387 tain it. I’ve hit zero many times in my ca- • Became Federal Railroad Administration Softcovers $39.95 each, same ordering info as above Expanded Edition ebooks $19.99, see website reer, whether it be daily, weekly, or yearly. administrator in February 2018. he key is being able to sustain it.” MorningSunBooks.com Embracing new technology is the way to reducing risk and enhancing safety, Ba- prevent and treat sleep apnea among op- tory says. hree weeks into his tenure, the erating personnel. FRA, via the Federal Register, tossed out “Does there have to be a regulation for the question to the industry and public: To everything in life?” he asks. what extent can railroads use “new and he FRA expects the industry to abide emerging technologies in automation that by the regulations it sets down, but at the will lead to continuous safety improve- same time the agency has to be sensitive to ments and increased eiciencies?” things that are the purview of railroads’ “If you continue to try and do better in management. Batory says he wants to lay PROUDLY SERVING THE FINGER LAKES safety every day, you have to be aware of the roadbed for the next generation’s safer, REGION OF NEW YORK AND BEYOND what’s going on in the world around us, smarter railroads. and it doesn’t wait for us,” Batory says. “People who serve their country are Ź Specialists in secure freight transport “Whether it’s the Internet of hings, artii- not here for long periods of time. If you cial intelligence, or autonomous operations recognize that going in, you have to make Ź Multiple interchange & warehousing ... and it doesn’t stop there. We really have a your choices wisely, where you want to options great opportunity to become a safer mode apply your efort. Ź Competitive pricing of surface transportation.” “here’s nothing but good that I see in Batory says a railroad safety culture is the railroad industry, so long as the rail- Ź Trans-loading throughout the one in which people thoroughly under- roads always protect their commitment to northeast stand the laws, rules, and recommended safety,” he says. “My generation was merg- Ź Shipping shingles to tomato paste 24/7 procedures, and follow them in their daily ing, we were acquiring each other, we work on the railroad. were going through deregulation. We ba- CONTACT JAN MCNEAL “It requires leadership, and not just at the sically re-sized the whole railroad indus- VP of Marketing & Sales top. Everybody has to take on the responsi- try. But are you going to sit back and say janmcneal@ngerlakesrail.com bility when it comes to safety,” he says. that’s the best you can do? www.ngerlakesrail.com he FRA as railroading’s safety regula- “PTC is an opportunity beyond its tor has had recent setbacks, though. In safety purpose. he next generation of 2017 the agency had to rescind a rule re- railroaders will igure out what else they quiring electronically controlled pneu- can use it for,” Batory says. “here’s so matic brakes on trains carrying lammable much information out there about a rail- liquids. More recently the FRA and Feder- road every day, that if it’s properly used, al Motor Carrier Safety Administration you can make better, fact-based decisions.” dropped eforts to develop rules to — R.G. Edmonson

>> Get the latest news updates on TRAINS www.TrainsMag.com 13 News Wire. Visit: www.TrainsMag.com COMMENTARY BY FRED W. FRAILEY How to survive as a railroad Five ways that railroads can become relevant again

Railroad ﬁnancial results look awesome, better than ever. tent in others. Set challenging but achievable goals for completing But the reality of this business is deceiving. he business is shrink- trip plans on time, reward or punish compliance, and I guarantee ing, or at best treading water, and in a booming economy. Non-coal service will improve, perhaps dramatically. People follow the money. carloads (excluding intermodal) are down 8 percent from their peak Be easy to do business with. I can book a light on United Air- in 2006, coal loadings 39 percent. And market share versus trucks? lines with United or any number of other third parties. But if I want In a presentation for Stifel Capital Markets’ clients, the analytic irm to ship goods in a freight car, I can only deal with you, the railroad. Transportation & Logistics Advisors put it this way: Rail carload vol- Maybe I’ve never done so before and ind the process intimidating, ume today would be 40 to 75 percent larger versus the truckers who are forever calling than in 2000 if it had kept up with growth of TIER 4 EMISSION RULES HAVE me with bids. Begin by broadening your truck tonnage or that of industrial production points of contact with shippers. So-called plus imports. “Railroad renaissance?” It MADE NEW DIESELS NOT WORTH third-party logistics providers are increasing- doesn’t look that way from here anymore. ly assuming the shipping chores of compa- Rather than bemoan the predicament, let’s THEIR COST. BUT WHAT IF YOU nies with complex needs; they provide corpo- consider ways to reverse it. Here are ive ideas: ELECTRIFIED USING BATTERY POWER? rate transportation needs from A to Z. By Improve your service. A primary reason and large, they know trucking but not rail- freight customers distrust railroads is their roading. Partner with them. Better yet, buy dismal history of doing what they say they’ll do, when they say one and bring that knowledge inside your railroad. they’ll do it. Run your trains any length you want; just meet the ex- Make marketing a revenue center. Railroads consider sales a pectations you give customers. How to do this? Align the compensa- cost, and cut such costs to the bone. CSX Transportation and tion of management with its success in meeting this objective. Every Union Paciic customers complain to Trains that they hear from loaded car comes with a trip plan, which is the series of trains that their marketing people about rate increases and not much else. Lit- will handle it to destination, right to the actual day of arrival. Boards tle efort is made to ind and cultivate new carload business, be- of directors set the criteria for bonuses and stock grants, and service cause that means going into the ield and getting inside the heads of is almost an aterthought in some compensation plans and nonexis- potential shippers, learning how their businesses work and how

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14 Trains JUNE 2018 your railroad could it in. Revenue from carloads is a multiple of what intermodal boxes bring in. If you spend some money to make money, and do so efectively, you might be surprised at the results. Canadian National knows this, and Canadian Paciic is inding out. Use your technology. Imagine what you can do combining positive train control, which allows close spacing of trains, with distributed power, which lets one engineer control multiple sets of locomotives. Now you have the makings of platooned trains. Imagine CSX building a train in Albany, N.Y., for Jacksonville, Fla., with blocks of cars for four destinations. Each block is fronted by a lower-horse- power locomotive, which every railroad owns in abundance. hink of these blocks of cars, each with a locomotive, as modules. As you Union Paciﬁc SD70ACe-T4 No. 3027 leads a train, with other Tier 4 reach Baltimore, uncouple the Baltimore module with its locomotive test units 3017, 3019, and 3014, at Denver in 2017. Chip Sherman and be on your way. You can do this today. It’s only a short leap of technology to adapt distributed power and PTC so that one or even ing raised clearances), transmission facilities, and so forth. But all four modules run separately and close together, under the control what if you electriied using battery power? Now you’ve shed the of the engineer of the lead module. Now as you reach a module’s upfront construction costs. If Tesla Motors’ Elon Musk actually destination, the engineer turns over its control to the terminal and produces that promised battery-powered highway tractor than can the other modules never stop. Or as you pass Richmond, Va., the haul a loaded trailer for 500 miles, and then recharge it in 30 min- terminal gives your engineer control of the module it assembled for utes to go another 400 miles (many doubt he can), then the same Jacksonville, either attached to the train or closely following it. technology can be scaled to locomotives, perhaps at great savings. Trains within trains. Platooned trains. Imagine the possibilities. Screwball ideas? Perhaps. But continue down the path of pur- Ditch the diesel. Locomotive technology in the U.S. is stalled suing short-term inancial goals and nothing else, and railroads out. Tier 4 emission rules have made new diesels not worth their risk becoming irrelevant as the future of transportation views cost, which is why they aren’t being ordered by any railroad that trains in the rearview mirror. 2 has an alternative. At the same time, the world is turning away from fossil fuels. In a decade, you won’t be able to buy gasoline or diesel automobiles in some European countries, and maybe not Fred W. Frailey is author of “Twilight of the Great even drive them in cities like Paris. Meanwhile, the cost of produc- Trains.” Reach him at [email protected]. This column ing renewable energy is plunging. Railroads have resisted electrii- was adapted from a TrainsMag.com blog. cation because of the enormous upfront costs of catenary (includ- Keep Rail Moving

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www.TrainsMag.com 15 COMMENTARY BY BRIAN SOLOMON The synchronicity factor Untold stories behind my stories

If you open a copy of my high-school yearbook, seek out rapid ascent as a locomotive builder in a diferent perspective. my senior portrait, and look under goals, you’ll ind they include So where do I begin my research? My father has collected trans- something to the efect of “... to inish my book, travel around the port materials since the 1950s, and our library consists of more than world, write other books, and get on to bigger and better things ...” 3,000 books, hundreds of journals and magazines, and unpublished Although my early efort at writing a book isn’t worth revisiting, by reports and original railroad documents (maps, rulebooks, locomo- the time my irst book was published in the late 1990s, I’d been tive manuals, etc.). We have more than 350,000 original photos, plus writing for all of my adult life. my own detailed notebooks going back decades. But when doing To write intelligently you have to have something to say, as for- research that’s just my starting point — I’ll spend hundreds of hours mer Trains Editor Mark Hemphill taught me years before he scouring other specialized libraries for information. worked for this magazine. Research is fundamental to writing. I’m In addition to siting through dusty books, my research involves always reading, always seeking answers, try- detailed irst-hand observations and inter- ing to piece together a large undeined puz- SOMETIMES, SOURCES FIND ME views. Not just watching trains, but total im- zle. For every word I write, I read hundreds. mersion by riding on locomotives, spending I learned long ago that to unearth the most RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND. hours in signal towers and dispatching oices, useful information it helps to look for some- experiencing railroading irst hand and thing else. Since my research oten leads me to investigate multiple discussing operations and equipment with railroad professionals. topics at a time, this multifaceted approach has led me to discover When I write about the EMD 567 prime mover, not only have I materials, sources, and stories that I may not have easily obtained traveled on 567-powered locomotives (and maybe pulled the by following a straightforward path. throttle) but looked into the guts of the machine itself. I can envi- When researching Baldwin steam, I found that in the 1920s, the sion how the mechanisms work, what they do, what they sound company’s multitalented Samuel Vauclain wrote a program detailing like, and what happens when they malfunction. how to go about developing commercially successful diesel locomo- My education is in photographic illustration — photography tive technology. Ironically, the plan was apparently adopted by Gen- and research are complementary. More than merely seeking illus- eral Motors rather than Baldwin, which put the automotive giant’s trations in support of my text, my research grants me insights,

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16 Trains JUNE 2018 loss for a meaningful caption for an extremely unusual signal in the Paciic Northwest. “I can’t seem to ind anything on this at all,” I lamented. Here was synchronicity: early in his career my new acquain- tance was a Burlington Northern signal maintainer and had re- paired the speciic signal in question. I composed a detailed caption on the spot. He also proofread my text, which helped make for a better book. I’ve oten had these unlikely and enormously beneicial synchronicities when I’m working on a big project. Twelve years ago when working on my North American Rail- road Bridges book, I was surprised to learn late into researching the A fortuitous meeting onboard Amtrak, pictured at Lancaster, N.Y., text that central Massachusetts where I’d grown up was, as I wrote enabled me to produce a better book on signaling. Brian Solomon in the book, “in the very bastion of American trussdom where more than a century earlier many of the foremost American truss enabling me to examine a subject with a trained eye, which leads patent holders had trod.” Consider two of most famous: William to both better photos and a closer understanding of the subject. Howe, inventor of the Howe truss was from Spencer, while Squire his is especially useful when details are key to the story. Whipple of the Whipple iron truss hailed from Hardwick. I’d never Sometimes, sources ind me rather than the other way around. have guessed. Which is one reason why I do careful research. Carl Jung, the founder of analytic psychology, proposed the con- hen there are my many friends who have quietly guided my cept of synchronicity, which describes when several phenomena eforts, opened doors, made introductions, provided source mate- occur at the same time as result of acausal connectivity. In other rial, and helped make the key connections that words, any one aspect of a connection didn’t cause the others, but make for more informed books. Without rather several things came together at the same time without a them, I couldn’t have told so many stories. 2 cause. You might call this coincidence or good luck. I’ve had many synchronicities, or perhaps I’m phenomenally lucky. Back in 2003, when in the inal stages of my irst book on rail- Brian Solomon grew up in New England road signals, I was returning to New England from Chicago in a and divides his time between the U.S. and Viewliner sleeper on Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited. By chance, the Ireland. His new book, Brian Solomon’s occupant of the opposite roomette was a signal systems engineer Railway Guide to Europe, will be published this and we struck up a conversation. hat was lucky. As it happened I spring by Kalmbach Books. had most of the photographs for the book with me, but I was at a

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www.TrainsMag.com 17 LOCOMOTIVE BY HAYLEY ENOCH GE transforms Fort Worth plant

General Electric employees use ropes and overhead cranes to maneuver a locomotive’s engine compartment carbody into place, left. Above, after reassembly, the unit will move to the paint shop, and then the exterior test track. Two photos, Hayley Enoch

General Electric has pulled back the decrease in overall maintenance costs. might have been damaged while in service. curtain on a year’s worth of upgrades in- In mid-March, when Trains visited the “When you get your car home, you can tended to change its Fort Worth locomo- plant, the Fort Worth facility had on site do whatever modiications you want with tive production plant into a facility special- the irst of 100 Norfolk Southern locomo- it,” Patton analogized, “hat was a learning izing in modernizing aging locomotives. tives due for modernization. NS Chief Me- curve for our team, and balancing that Upgrades typically include new control chanical Oicer Doug Corbin says that an- with worklow was a challenge. By now, we systems, crashworthy cabs, improvements other beneit of the upgrades is that they could move a locomotive we are moderniz- to the electrical components, D.C.-to-A.C. help standardize the maintenance of loco- ing and a new build through the produc- conversions, refurbishment of any other motives in the leet. tion line in the same time.” equipment that has become worn, and “GE does a good job of making this a he Fort Worth facility opened in 2013 new paint. he upgrades can be custom- modular rebuild,” Corbin says, “[he mod- and took orders from BNSF, Union Paciic, ized to the needs of speciic customers and ernized locomotives] are basically Evolu- Ferromex, Canadian National, and other can include the installation of PTC tech- tion [brand units]. Our mechanics are al- railroads. he facility celebrated the pro- nology, Trip Optimizer control systems, or ready very used to seeing those.” duction of its 1,000th locomotive in July other sotware technologies. To facilitate the transition, GE 2016, but its future seemed uncertain in he Fort Worth facility has already re- rearranged aspects of the factory loor 2017 as GE laid of about 250 Fort Worth furbished several dozen locomotives, some and added some new components to the employees and announced that it intended up to 25 years old. Refurbishing locomo- production line, like an enclosed space to exit the locomotive manufacturing busi- tives of that age typically yields a 50 percent where incoming locomotives can be thor- ness. hat future looks brighter now. increase in hauling capabilities, 25 percent oughly washed and drained of luid. GE he updates make the 1-million-square- improvement in adhesion, 40 percent in- typically receives batches of up to 10 loco- foot Fort Worth facility the world’s largest crease in reliability, and 20 percent motives to modernize at a time, the limit locomotive modernization shop. GE says of what it can store. Because of the need there is a backlog of approximately 1,000 >> Set for rebuilding to partially deconstruct each locomotive, locomotives set for updates. the modernization process takes about he plant, however, won’t quit building nine weeks, compared to ive weeks to new units. In fact, in the second half of 225 units are set for work at GE’s build a new one. 2018, GE’s Fort Worth plant will turn its at- Fort Worth plant in 2018: Plant manager Mike Patton says that tention to new units for CN and will contin- the switch to performing modernizations ue to do both tasks — new construction and 100 NS Dash 9-44CWs D.C. to A.C., was a challenge to the plant’s employees, rebuilding — into the foreseeable future. plus modernization who weren’t 28,895 Class I locomotives on 2 pages! 80 CP AC4400CW Modernization used to seeing 2018 Chris Guss contributed to this report. 20 UP C4460AC Modernization locomotives that 25 BNSF Dash 8-40BW Overhaul had been modi- DIESEL ied in-house or DEMOS Get the 2018 LOCOMOTIVE issue and Barnstorming locomotives that made a difference action-packed 1-hour DVD at Our exclusive annual Motive 18 Trains JUNE 2018 Power Review KalmbachHobbyStore.com/loco18 GE’s U25B revisited Wild Wyoming: BNSF in the Bighorn Basin er Railroading’s Driving Force Your favorite annual issue is back with more stories on the newest and most powerful locomotives in North America. Photo: Tom Danneman Photo: Jim Wrinn

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www.TrainsMag.com 19 TECHNOLOGY BY TYLER TRAHAN Track geometry cars’ new angle missed surveying sidings. John Furlong, CP’s director of track systems, says that while GPS coverage can be spotty in the mountains, the railroad loses little data due to transmission issues. hese are not the irst autonomous test devices to be used on revenue equipment. ENSCO’s Vehicle/Track Interaction Moni- tor has been in use since the mid-1990s. his shoebox-sized system uses acceler- ometers on the suspension of a vehicle to note unusual bouncing or swaying, which is typically track caused. Matt Dick, a deputy division manager at ENSCO, says that about 450 units are in service and survey the mileage equivalent of the Inter- state highway system every day.

MAKING SENSE OF DATA Crucial to the success of these new inspection systems is automated analysis to make sense of all this new data. It’s now possible to detect tiny stress cracks in concrete ties by photographing every tie the vehicle passes over and teaching a computer to “see” cracks as lines of dark pixels. This Canadian Paciﬁc boxcar with ENSCO gear measures track geometry as it roams the Certain defects need immediate repair, railroad, sending data to the railroad through cellphone networks. Two photos, ENSCO but most can be remedied the next time track work is being done in that area. Dick The next generation of track geometry ROAMING BOXCARS says that’s where the data comes in, allowing cars measure more than just geometry. Freight railroads are also experiment- managers to see clusters of defects to help Operating over the railroad at track ing with unmanned inspection vehicles. railroaders objectively decide where to speed, they have long used lasers to measure ENSCO Rail has built autonomous track spend maintenance dollars. the position of the rails in three-dimensional geometry boxcars for Canadian Paciic Dick says he expects remaining inspec- space, looking for problems of track gauge, and CSX Transportation. he cars don’t tion technologies to eventually become horizontal and vertical alignment, and carry freight but can roam the system autonomous. he crewless cars are limited cross-level warp. Safety standards for each of anywhere in a revenue freight train. by cell network bandwidth to measuring these are set by the Federal Railroad Admin- Powered by rootop solar panels with interactions that produce small data istration, with strict limits for faster speeds. batteries and a backup diesel generator amounts, such as track geometry. ENSCO New cars built by ENSCO Rail, Plasser inside, these boxcars send defect is working on using digital compression American, and MERMEC track measuring information matched to GPS coordinates and 4G networks to handle large data sets, companies are loaded with new tech looking to a remote computer server in real time such as rail proiles or shapes. Ultrasonic for everything from cracked joint bars to using cellphone networks. Sotware on inspection may still be done by human worn rail proiles. hese can be found both railroad servers analyze the data to ind technicians for the foreseeable future, on Class I railroads and transit systems, al- defects, match GPS coordinates to though transit systems typically have more milepost locations, and send an email advanced cars to measure more items. he report to track maintenance managers. systems on New York City Transit’s Plasser- Serious defects causing a drop of two built TGC4 vehicle, for instance, include: track classes or more are emailed • Track geometry immediately while lesser defects are • Rail proile measurement sent in groups every 2 hours. • Ultrasonic detection of internal Canadian Paciic’s CP 60 boxcar tested rail laws about 20,000 miles of track in 2017, sup- • hermal cameras to look for electrical plementing manned geometry trains. A “hot spots” on electriied third rails 2015 report at the Railway Interchange • Video inspection of rail head and conference by CP and ENSCO staf noted sides, fasteners, and ties that the car was most successful bouncing • hird-rail height, gauge, and protective back and forth on long routes such as A laser system under the CP 60 boxcar board clearances between Vancouver, British Columbia, measures the position of the rails at • Flangeways and Montreal, although its initial place- track speed. It is one of several updates • Tunnel and platform clearances ment in high-priority trains meant it present on the crewless geometry cars.

20 Trains JUNE 2018 however, because the sensors roll on top of Dixie Precast – the rail and require careful use and maintenance. Analysis of this information, THE PRECAST FOUNDATION SOLUTION though, is shiting to oices and away from the ield. Dixie Precast offers a full line of precast foundations and retaining WIILL THESE REPLACE PEOPLE? walls for Communication, Signal, Under current FRA regulations, main Maintenance Of Way, and tracks and sidings must be inspected on PTC Applications foot or by hi-rail once or twice a week, depending on track class. Transit agencies All products meet or exceed applicable AREMA which don’t fall under FRA control are standards and speciﬁcations not subject to this regulation. Cantilever Foundation /Steel Retaining Wall Installation Trains asked FRA oicials if automat- CSX Project – JD Cabin, VA ed inspection might someday replace these track-walker inspections. In a state- For additional information contact: ment, an agency representative said humans will still have to inspect track. he Dixie Precast Inc. North America’s leader in precast railroad foundations representative referred to federal Track 2950 Angelette Drive, Austell, GA 30106 Safety Standards and said humans must Ofﬁce: (770) 944 -1930 | Fax: (770) 944-9136 still cover items machines cannot measure, such as “ties, fasteners, switches, dia- www.dixieprecast.com mond crossings, culverts, ballast, track beds, drainage, vegetation, rights-of-way.” is article evolved from a topic introduced at the 2017 Wheel Rail Interaction conference. e next conference will be held April 30 to May 3 in Chicago. See HERE TODAY, www.wheel-rail-seminars.com for details. >> TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS THE MAINTENANCE FRA seeks details TECHNOLOGY OF on automation TOMORROW!

In a request for information in the March 22 Federal Register, the Federal Railroad Administration is asking industry stakeholders, govern- ments, and the public to discuss “the extent to which they believe railroad operations can (and should) be automated, and the potential beneﬁts, costs, risks, and challenges to achiev- ing such automation.” In an exclusive interview with TRAINS (see page 12), LINSINGER high performance milling technology: FRA chief Ronald L. Batory says, “There is so much opportunity we maximum rail life extension and minimum life cycle costs. have before us in embracing technol- Reset your clock for rail exchange! ogy that helps us reduce risk and Stop by and see us in the ExpoZone at WRI 2018 in Chicago enhance safety. We have a great opportunity to become a safer mode Contact in North America of surface transportation.” Richard Stock Milling Technology Manager Railroads increased the number of +1 604 314 8774 route-miles controlled by positive Rai service [email protected] / [email protected] by milling and grinding train control by 22 percent in the www.linmag.com . www.linsinger.com fourth quarter of 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration reports. The latest data show railroads’ progress with PTC as of Dec. 31, 2017. At the RINGLING CIRCUS TRAIN ﬁnale with map & gallery Where Every issue is packed with: Hunter Harrison is headed end of the year, freight and passen- Don’t Miss next Grade- THE magazine of railroading crossing Finding your railroad rootscritique • In-depth feature • Ideas and insights ger railroads had a combined total of One family’s a Single Issue! story Passing articles down a • News and analysis profession 31,184 route-miles with PTC in oper- Subscribe Today! • Preservation and of industry trends ation of 57,976 required route-miles. railroad worker and developments Call 877-246-4843 PLUS InnoTrans highlights

Peru: railroads in the clouds stories www.TrainsMag.com • and more!

www.TrainsMag.com 21 PASSENGER BY BOB JOHNSTON

Amtrak’s eastbound Empire Builder moves between Canadian Paciﬁc and BNSF Railway trains on the BNSF at Hoffman Avenue in St. Paul, Minn., on June 8, 2017. Amtrak’s right to priority on freight railroads is again a hot topic. Steve Glischinski The preference issue, again With law in limbo, Amtrak suggests a simple standard to judge host railroads

Punctuality is the lifeblood of trans- ern Paciic dispatchers sidetracked the the metric itself was tainted by Amtrak’s in- portation. So it’s not surprising that the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and volvement and therefore could not be inde- long-simmering stew of Amtrak perfor- Houston. Amtrak illustrated the claim with pendently applied by the Surface Transpor- mance — mixing passenger expectations of several days’ worth of string graphs plotting tation Board. his tied the STB’s hands in on-time trains with a host railroad’s right time, distance, and train movements. deciding cases brought by Amtrak in 2014 to move freight over infrastructure it owns he case never went to trial, but the against Norfolk Southern/CSX Transporta- — is about to boil over. Again. U.S. District Court for the District of tion and Canadian National. In mid-March, Amtrak issued a “Host Columbia, “without addressing the proba- he decisions prompted Chicago’s Envi- Railroad Report Card” for 2017, assigning bility of success on the merits,” entered an ronmental Law and Policy Center, on be- letter grades to freight carriers based on order compelling the SP to “accord to the half of 10 advocacy groups, to ile a “Writ minutes of delay per 10,000 train-miles (see operations of the Sunset Limited a prefer- of Certiorari” petition to the U.S. Supreme table on page 23). his followed U.S. Senate ence over freight trains.” he order re- Court. he iling argued the lower court testimony in which President Richard An- quired SP to issue a notice to dispatchers created “an impermissible and unintended derson urged lawmakers to give Amtrak the “that they are required by federal law and regulatory gap” and undermines “the right to sue railroads that willfully delay the policy of the Southern Paciic to ac- strong national interest in eicient and reli- passenger trains, based on a simple prem- cord preference ... in the use of any given able passenger service,” but the Supreme ise: a train is either delayed or it’s not. line, track, junction, or crossing, except in Court declined to review the case. Still, the Congress codiied Amtrak’s statutory emergencies;” and “report all delays in issue may not be settled. right of preference over host-railroad excess of 10 minutes ... explaining all such “We are waiting to see if the U.S. Court freight trains in 1973, but only the U.S. Jus- delays involving freight operations.” of Appeals for the tice Department could bring legal action on Congress attempted, in the Passenger D.C. Circuit re- Amtrak’s behalf. hat happened just once, Rail Investment and Improvement Act of verses a [previ- in 1979, when Amtrak showed how South- 2008, to make this preference yardstick ous] district more lexible but more easily adjudicated. It court [ruling],” asked the Federal Railroad Administration the Center’s and Amtrak to establish a reasonable on- Howard Learner time performance metric that would allow tells Trains. Re- passengers redress against host railroads versal, he says, that willfully and repeatedly delayed trains. would allow the “Foul!” contended the Association of STB “to enforce American Railroads and host railroads. Amtrak’s prefer- hey argued Amtrak couldn’t legally have a ence rights and hand in regulating the owners of track space enable better for which it competed. In a pair of deci- on-time perfor- sions, two appeal courts agreed. he irst, in mance to 2016, struck down Amtrak’s involvement be realized.” Amtrak’s string graph Texas Eagle passengers transfer to buses with the FRA in setting a threshold — less Meanwhile, shows how SP delayed at Longview, Texas, on March 2. The train than 80 percent on-time over two calendar delays continue. the Sunset Limited on was 5 hours late. Two photos, Bob Johnston quarters. he second ruling, in 2017, found Passengers Oct. 8, 1979.

22 Trains JUNE 2018 THE HOST-RAILROAD Questions About Your Account? REPORT CARD Average minutes of delay per 10,000 train-miles, It’s so easy to manage calendar 2017 your subscription online! Railroad Minutes of delay Grade CP 422 A BNSF 956 B+ Pay your bill. UP 1,174 B- Change your address. CSX 1,273 C NS 1,558 F Renew your subscription. CN 1,659 F And much more! Source: Amtrak aboard Amtrak’s westbound Texas Eagle on Visit subscribe.trainsmag.com/help March 2 experienced a heavy dose of P30519 Union Paciic dispatcher discretion. hey arrived in Longview, Texas, more than 5 hours behind schedule, ater leaving St. LAC MEGANTIC • TRAIN VS. FLOODCHATSWORTH • AMTRAK’S COLONIAL Louis 19 minutes late the previous evening. • ANATOMY OF A RUNAWAY he bulk of the delay occurred waiting for UP workers to inspect tracks where a SAVE $1 + FREE SHIPPING freight tangled with a vehicle, but the Eagle VOL. 2 also sat at ive locations west of Little Rock, Ark., while freight trains passed. he most Crashes frustrating delay — 1 hour, 7 minutes — that changed was just east of Longview, the result of elec- railroading tric switch failure and trespassers climbing OFF THE across a freight train parked on the station’s only platform track. At a Texas Eagle Marketing and Perfor- mance Organization meeting the next day, UP Director of Passenger Services Kim RAILS! Fossland told the group, “Dispatchers know that Amtrak is top priority. hat doesn’t mean senior management isn’t going to tell them to look at the network, and see [what needs to be done] to keep everything luid. Because if you don’t recoup that day, it could be a month of recuperation.” Railroads have increasingly boxed themselves in with dissatisied shippers and passengers alike, so lawmakers are paying attention. U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., ranking member of the Railroads, Pipelines, Photo: Brian Schmidt and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, says Brightline (see pages 52-61) may help Defective equipment. Human error. Mother Nature. freight and passenger trains coexist. His re- marks came ater attending the passenger Train Wrecks 2 explores some of the worst railroad accidents in history. service’s inaugural ceremonies in January. The 100-page special edition includes more than a dozen stories about “he most interesting thing here to me,” DeFazio said, “is that they’ve worked out a major derailments across North America and the safety measures that [dispatching] deal with the freight — now resulted from these events. Covered topics include: it’s their own freight, granted — where there is better coordination so they can Explosions • Floods • Grade-crossing accidents • Evacuations move their trains faster now that they are also double tracked. In Oregon, we’ve tried Personal stories • Sobriety • Cleanup • Rerailing • Licensing to work with Union Paciic, putting public money into sidings [so we] don’t have inor- Positive train control • Hazardous materials • New technologies dinate delays to either freight or Amtrak, and it’s still not working. We don’t have Reserve your copy today at dependable dispatching.” With today’s long trains and host rail- KalmbachHobbyStore.com/wrecks roads’ slimmed infrastructure, a directive to always give passenger trains an unob- structed path isn’t practical, but that report Promotional offer available for a limited time. Free standard shipping to U.S. addresses only. Train Wrecks 2 card clearly shows some operators ind a will arrive in June 2018. way to do it. And some don’t. P32251

www.TrainsMag.com 23 In 1968, America’s last revenue steam Story and photos by Russell B. Sperry freights ran on a Class I railroad

ollowing World War II, the Den- narrow gauge trains hauling oil ield sup- day evening. he crews would spend the ver & Rio Grande Western accelerated plies to Farmington via Cumbres Pass and night there, and then the Durango crew plans to abandon its remaining narrow Durango were running on a 24/7 basis all would return home with the westbound gauge lines in the Rocky Mountains year round, even in the dead of winter. It train while the Alamosa crew would per- as soon as possible. he growing popu- all came to an end in summer 1968, and form a Cumbres Turn, taking some of the larity of tourist trains on the Silverton four or ive of us were lucky enough to see eastbound empties to the top of the pass, Branch, along with increasing traic and photograph the last revenue freight tying them down, and then returning to generated by the signiicant expansion of runs hauled by steam on a major railroad Chama for the rest of the train. Prior to the oil and gas ields in northwest New that were not part of an excursion or the 1964 closing of the Oriental Reinery Mexico delayed the abandonment of the public relations efort. in Alamosa, several carloads of crude oil San Juan Extension from Alamosa, Colo., would also be taken to the top of the to Durango, Colo., and the branch to Beginning of the end pass, sometimes as a solid train of 10 or Farmington, N.M. Indeed, as described by By the early 1960s, the drilling of new 11 tank cars with an engine at both front Philip R. Hastings in the April 1956 issue wells near Aztec, N.M., and Farmington and rear. If traic was heavy, the east- of Trains magazine, by the mid-1950s had begun to slow, and the number of bound crew would tie down the second freights decreased to an average of two per week in each direction. he usual practice was for a westbound train from Alamosa to meet an eastbound train from Durango at Chama, N.M., on Mon- The last westbound train on Rio Grande’s San Juan extension departs Sublette, N.M., after taking on water and letting the crew eat lunch. Ahead for the doubleheader is 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass, more meandering along the Colorado border, and arrival at Chama, N.M. With a hint of brakeshoe smoke hanging in the air, No. 484 leads the ﬁnal westbound train down Cumbres Pass at Dalton, N.M. Helper No. 483 had been dropped at the summit. To Alamosa Cumbres freight ﬁnale Antonito Cumbres Turn and return to Chama for an- return to Durango that evening with empties Los Pinos C O L O R A D O other night. Once the rest of the train had for the next eastbound train. he same sort Cumbres been hauled to the top of the pass (either of three-day cycle would be repeated with Chama River Coxo Osier Sublette Tuesday aternoon or Wednesday morning), trains to Chama on hursday, back to Ala- Tanglefoot Curve the helper locomotive would run ahead to mosa and Durango on Friday, and then de- Toltec Alamosa while the road engine assembled liveries along the Farmington branch on Sat- C O L O R A D O N E W M E X I C O the two or three turns into one long train — urday. Most weeks there would not be any S To Map area A N N up to 70 cars — and then lead them downhill freight activity on Sunday, and then another Durango J U to Alamosa. Meanwhile, the crew from Du- pair of three-day cycles would occur the next N E W A N M E X I C O M O rango would have arrived home on Tuesday Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday and hursday- U N 0 Scale 10 miles Chama TA I evening. hey would then haul the loads to Friday-Saturday. N S © 2018 Kalmbach Publishing Co. Aztec and Farmington on Wednesday and Ater the Oriental Reinery (also known TRAINS: Bill Metzger and Rick Johnson A few miles south of Alamosa, I man- Alamosa, of miles south A few 17 be- Route Colorado on I headed west pulled out just ater 8 a.m. and headed 8 a.m. and ater just out pulled Antonito. toward south chasing the small pack around get to aged time ahead have enough to far and the train and side road a little on the tracks cross to a crossing. at photo a sunny-side for set up top to was made in Antonito he usual stop because the train but water, the fuel and of sup- drilling of was so — 18 boxcars short — the wallboard of latcars two and plies the the to helper mid- of customary moving was skipped. the train of rear dle or whistled the hoping doubleheader of, fore I the train. ahead of Horn Big in to drive to get to did manage but it, make quite didn’t road the rough down sports car little my serviced the crew N.M. While Sublette, into I hiked lunch, ate and the locomotives the track mile farther along a quarter about a shallow a hill overlooking of the top to I almost drizzle intensiied a light As cut. to go take back up shelter in the car, gave Since this was a day earlier than we had we than earlier thisSince was a day hand on were us fans of ive or four Only

Buy our special DVD on Rio Grande and photo specials at freights KalmbachHobbyStore.com/RioGrandeDVD Last roundup: A brakeman rides the last eastbound train near Chama, N.M., with K-37 Last roundup: now long gone. Mikado No. 498 on the point. The tracks in this location are “Yep,” he answered brusquely, “Tomorrow. “Tomorrow. brusquely, he answered “Yep,” it’s ’cause there ass down yer git better You Click. the last one.” friends Keith my for expected, I arranged also who were Callender, Roger and Kirby served as a later whom of each and railfans Railroad Mountain the Rocky of president meet mid-1990s, to and in the early Club I evening. Wednesday on me in Chama in my hopped gear, my gathered hurriedly spend- Ater Alamosa. headed for and car, can- little in my huddled night a cold ing a heavy during TR-4 Triumph vass-topped breakfast I grabbed a quick thunderstorm, catch in time to just the yard at arrived and the roundhouse of out 483 backing No. sunrise. a beautiful by framed 483 the servicing witness to 2-8-2s Nos. of to the yard through their move 484 and and them the near de- for waiting the train short the train up, was pumped Once the air pot.

Rio Grande Grande Rio

Steam trains in the Rockies the in trains Steam

Freight Trains Freight Narrow Gauge Gauge Narrow

Rio Grande Narrow Gauge he Rio Grande’s last revenue freights freights last revenue he Rio Grande’s season to Durango, which ran all the way which ran season Durango, to the usual skipping day, long in one, through trains were here in Chama. stay overnight 4, June on both directions from Chama to to Chama from 17, and July 13, and June 14, 5, June June on Alamosa and Durango these 18. he last of was the only July and loads enough were in 1968 when there day in the Turn a Cumbres require east to going being the cars of the rest with morning, and the pass in the to aternoon brought re- engine the road ater Alamosa to then on the train. assembled Last roundup over Cumbres Pass ran on Aug. 28 and 29, 28 and Aug. on ran Pass Cumbres over sheer luck them by about out 1968. I found On the friendswhile in Denver. visiting Aug. on be a train might there that chance Aug. on 30, I called the dispatcher 29 and if there asked 27, and action be any would gauge. the narrow on As traic continued to drop during the during drop to continued traic As 23 April on began 1968, operations In as the Gramps reinery) closed, shipments reinery) shipments closed, as the Gramps crude each oil of carloads more 20 or of ended Alamosa to Chama from week ield supplies in oil the traic Since abruptly. the had also declined, Farmington to going down was shut Cumbres over gauge narrow did operations December 1964, and in late 1965. his was the April until resume not the railroad since 1880-81 that winter irst year-round. active was not trains ran 1960s, the D&RGW late mid- and a once Durango and Alamosa between every once two then about so, or week no with a month, thenweeks, maybe once April December through late from trains in 17 trains only were here winter. each 1967. during direction each Train Silverton two run of the break-in with 478, that Nos. 476 and K-28s Nos. engines, extensive undergoing the winter had spent 28, these two On May in Alamosa. repairs the of train freight the irst pulled engines Before leaving Alamosa, Colo., to carry the ﬁnal westbound, Mikado No. 483 takes a drink Before America for decades in the steam era. across the standpipe in a classic scene repeated from

www.TrainsMag.com 27 With the pop valve lifting on No. 484 and a heavy ﬁre burning in helper No. 483, the last The head-end brakeman walks the roofs of boxcars on the ﬁnal westbound train near westbound Rio Grande narrow gauge freight train departs Alamosa on Aug. 28, 1968. Sublette, N.M., as the two Mikados lean into a curve. Such scenes are never to be repeated. but I’m sure glad that I didn’t — the head- Chama to catch the eastbound train arriv- into the sun) still remains my lifetime favor- few days later, ater starring in the ilm “he on and going-away photos from west of ing from Durango behind K-37 No. 498. ite. he inal four shots were taken as we Good Guys and the Bad Guys.” Still in its red Sublette are among my better shots of the he next day, we started of by chasing followed the train to Antonito, where we movie attire, the locomotive on Nov. 23 entire two days. No. 483 as it departed with the westbound caught up with helper No. 484, and then on pulled a National Park Service inspection here’s no direct road — not even a Jeep train to Durango, and then joined the large to Alamosa and the end. train from Durango to Chama, and on track — between Sublette and the top of group of fans following the last two-engine Nov. 24 over Cumbres Pass to Alamosa. Cumbres Pass, so I had to backtrack to the freight to assault the 4-percent eastbound End of the line Finally, on Dec. 5, 1968 — with No. 483 highway and then get through a section that grade up Cumbres Pass. Unfortunately, I he last westbound freight arrived in helping and recently shopped No. 481 dead- was under construction between La Manga was experimenting with a cheap 2x extend- Durango behind No. 483 on Aug. 29, but it in-train — No. 473 pulled a hospital train of Pass and Los Pinos. I got to Cumbres Loop er that morning, and only one photo isn’t so wasn’t until Aug. 31 that the Mikado deliv- a few carloads of locomotive parts and tools (best known as Tanglefoot Curve) just as fuzzy that I’m not ashamed to share it. Go- ered the last loads to Farmington and picked and the coaches used on the NPS train to the train was passing the upper track, but ing back to color ilm, I chased No. 498 and a few empties as the Rio Grande’s inal freight Chama. No. 473 continued to Durango with ater a quick shot almost directly into the her eastbound train from Cumbres Pass to on the narrow gauge. A few non-revenue this train the next day, while No. 483 and a sun, I decided to climb the hill to the west Tanglefoot Curve and Apache Road. Ater moves took place on Cumbres Pass ater Au- caboose returned to Alamosa as the Rio of the bridge over the old road instead, and watching the train disappear down the Los gust. On Oct. 9, ater ilming for the movie Grande’s inal move on Cumbres Pass. caught the train just as it was arriving Pinos Valley, I headed to Antonito on High- “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was Although all three engines used on the alongside the snow shed. I inished of the way 17. Roger joined me there and we completed near Durango, No. 473 (still let- last runs in August 1968 still exist, only one, last frames of my second roll of Koda- braved the dirt road leading south toward tered for the movie as Union Paciic No. 478) No. 484, is operational on the Cumbres & chrome with shots at Dalton and Lobato Lava Tank, but got only as far as the low ran light from Durango to Chama, and on Toltec Scenic. No. 483 is undergoing a cos- Trestle, and then switched to faster black- two-span trestle at milepost 286.72. he one Oct. 10 from Chama to Alamosa. It was the metic restoration for display in Chama. and-white ilm as I let the westbound and photo I got there, though technically far last engine to be serviced at Alamosa Shops. No. 498 hasn’t run since Aug. 29, 1968, and joined Ernie Robart on a trek west of from my best (it was shot almost directly No. 483 ran west from Chama to Durango a is stored at Durango. 2 No. 498 arrives in Alamosa, Colo., to end steam operations on the Rio Grande narrow gauge and on American Class I railroad steam in regular revenue service. The date is Aug. 29, 1968, 50 years ago. RaiRailwaylway

Taiwan, also known as Formosa or that is safe and convenient. As for sheer Ride through Taiwan “beautiful island,” may have the most con- variety, where else can you ind working behind GE electrics, centrated and diverse railroad network per 100-year-old, Lima-built Shays; GE elec- square mile on earth. Overshadowed by its trics operating under wire in daily freight Shays, high speed two large neighbors, Japan and China, Tai- and passenger service; 42-inch-gauge tilt wan is an amazing place that is frequently trains; and a world-class high speed rail locomotives, and more overlooked by the causal traveler. Howev- line, all in an area slightly larger than the er, Taiwan’s emphasis on providing high- states of Maryland and Delaware? You Story and photos quality rail services has resulted in an ex- can’t beat Taiwan for big-time railroading by Jeffrey T. Schultz tensive modern rail-passenger network in a small package. In Taiwan, a diesel engine pushes the author’s 2-foot-gauge Alishan Forest Railway train between Jiaoliping and Fenqihu stations at about 3,280 feet elevation. iislandsland

Taiwan is located about 120 miles east is marine tropical, with hot, humid sum- island, and with it came substantial immi- of mainland China in one of the most geo- mers, and occasionally subject to typhoons, gration from the mainland. he irst rail- logically active locations on earth. No less oten with devastating results. roads were built on the island with a few than four geologic plates converge under During the last 400 years, Taiwan has lines open by 1887. However, the Qing Taiwan, which have produced the highest undergone political change. Originally, dynasty was defeated in the irst Sino- mountain in east Asia, Mount Yu Shan, ris- native people lived on the island, but dur- Japanese War (1894–1895), and Taiwan ing to 12,966 feet. In fact, mountains run ing the 17th century, western explorers was ceded to Japan. the length of the island, north to south, and discovered the island, and Spain and the he Japanese colonial period substan- for many years were a substantial barrier to Dutch established trading outposts. Even- tially inluenced the development of railroad development. he island’s climate tually, China’s Qing dynasty claimed the Taiwan’s railways, with the use of Japan’s

www.TrainsMag.com 31 A four-diesel-railcar train leaves Shifen on the Pingxi Line, northeast of Taipei. Shifen is a halfway point on the line and a great place to stop to shop and eat. The Pingxi district is the lantern capital of the world and celebrates with an annual festival.

42-inch gauge the most obvious result. the nationalist Chinese government retreat- tion has built new lines on the eastern and During the ensuing 50-year colonial peri- ed here ater its defeat by the communists southern portions of the island to expand od, the network extended from Taipei on the mainland and established the and connect the network. south to Fangliao and northeast to Keelung Republic of China, hoping someday to and Su’ao. A secondary main line (the return to the mainland. Taiwan high speed rail Coast Line) was also constructed from Subsequently, the Republic of China On Taiwan’s populous west coast, how- Chunan to just north of Changhua. Nu- developed a vibrant and thriving western- ever, the railway administration’s network merous branch lines were also constructed style economy. Since 1949, the Taiwan Rail- was beginning to reach capacity, so the to tap into the island’s rich natural resourc- ways Administration has substantially up- government looked to high speed rail as a es of coal (Pingxi) and timber (Alishan). graded the railway lines on the island, by solution. Ater a long process of conceptual With the end of World War II, Taiwan adding double track, CTC, and electrifying design, environmental reviews, and bid- was returned to China. However, in 1949, lines. Furthermore, the railway administra- ding, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. was the successful private irm that won the rights to construct and operate the Taiwan High Speed Rail system in 1998. Opened in March 2007, the high speed network connects Taipei in the north with Kaohsiung (Zuoying) in the south in as little as 96 minutes. he network has 12 stations. he newest, Nangang, on the North side of Taipei, opened in July 2016. Initially, ridership was lower than expected due to the great recession, moving approximately 30 million riders in 2008. However, with marketing eforts and lower fares, ridership has grown. In 2016, the high speed network carried 56.59 million riders; in 2017, 60.57 million. On Jan. 1, 2018, the railroad set a daily record of 285,000 passengers, due to the New Year’s holiday. he railroad uses 700T Shinkansen trainsets, built by Kawasaki with a top Alishan Forest Railway Shay No. 25 steams in Chiayi. The Lima-built engine weighs 28 speed of 186 mph on standard gauge track. tons. The railroad continues to use its Shays for special occasion service. Each 12-car train is formed with 11

32 Trains JUNE 2018 standard cars and one business-class car. Standard coaches are conigured with three-two seating and business class has two-two seating, for a total capacity of 989 passengers. When asked about the reliability of the 700Ts, high speed rail CEO James Jeng says that through 2015, “average train reliability was 99.97 percent.” he railroad is one of the “best performing high speed systems in the world,” Jeng says, with an amazing 99.72 percent of trains arriving within 5 minutes of schedule. Perhaps this is the reason ridership has grown so much. Riding high speed To experience Taiwan’s high speed trains, my wife and I book a round trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung and discover that riding is easy, inexpensive, and fun. he Taipei main station hosts both the conventional passenger rail network and high speed rail. Both English and Chinese are used at all but the smallest passenger stations, so wayinding at stations is easy. Tickets in Taiwan have the train number as well as car and seat numbers printed on them, and automatic barriers or uniformed employees are at each access point to platforms, so you must scan or show your tickets. Each platform is clearly labeled with car positions and which location to queue to board, so it’s quick and easy to navigate. Our express train has only two intermediate stops: Banqiao, just south of Taipei, and Taichung in the middle of the island before arriving in Kaohsiung. Onboard, we’re greeted by Ethan Shan, a high speed train staf supervisor and our host for the trip. Our coach ills up with travelers, and promptly at 8:24, the doors close and we depart. Soon we are racing south through the Taipei suburbs. he ride is amazingly smooth, and I barely even notice the turn- outs at the stations. he high speed line is constructed mostly on viaduct and was routed around cities. Ater Taichung, Ethan takes me on a tour and our irst stop is car 6, business class. It has large, plush seats and an attendant that provides complimentary hot beverages, newspapers, and snacks for business-class At the southern terminus of the Zuoying station, a Taiwan High Speed Rail train prepares to passengers. A small galley, also used by the depart. Zuoying is located in the suburban area just north of Kaohsiung, a major port city. onboard service cart that serves coach passengers, is located at the rear of the car. ing assistance 5 minutes before their stop. Colocated with the regular passenger sta- Located across the hall is the conductor’s of- Our arrival at Kaohsiung is a minute tion and the Kaohsiung Metro, it serves as ice. he room has several video displays early, and we say goodbye to Ethan. With a a true multimodal transportation center. showing the train’s heating, ventilation, scheduled travel time over the 214-mile Ater exploring Kaohsiung and riding air-conditioning, traction power, doors, line of just 96 minutes, the train averaged the Metro and new light rail line, we return toilets, and other items’ statuses. an amazing 133 mph. Furthermore, head- to the station and grab lunch to take on he conductor and Ethan then demon- ways on the high speed line are as short as board our return express train. he train is strate the Seat Map Information System. 6 minutes, meaning throughout most of pretty full for the return trip and we arrive his smartphone-based system gives the the day, catching the next train is simple. back at Taipei on time and impressed by staf complete, real-time information on Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest this amazing service. each seat on the train, but eliminates the city, and the massive high speed rail station Besides having one of the best high need to disturb passengers. he system also has a huge waiting room with lots of shops, speed railway systems in the world, the alerts staf automatically of passengers need- restaurants, natural lighting, and amenities. country ofers other outstanding railroad

www.TrainsMag.com 33 services and historical sites that Taiwan Originally built to haul coal, today one-to- arrive in about 90 minutes. he round- Railways Administration operates. hey four diesel railcars move day-trippers head- house is about a 10-minute walk north of are easily accessible, inexpensive, and ing to the region to relax and enjoy the trails, the TRA Changhua main station, and was highlight the rich, diverse rail culture of sites, and for many, launch a traditional “sky built in 1922. U.S. bombers damaged it this amazing island. lantern.” To ride the line, you should pur- during World War II, but it has been re- chase a “day pass,” which enables you to ride stored and in daily use, servicing both die- The Pingxi Line any train on the branch line as well as a tick- sel and electric locomotives. It is home to he Pingxi district is the lantern capital et from Taipei to Ruifang, where you must two restored TRA steam engines. Kawasaki of Taiwan, and has a huge annual lantern transfer to Pingxi line trains. built DT668, a 2-8-2 Mikado, in 1941, and festival. Located northeast of Taipei, the de- About midway on the line is Shifen, a the TRA rebuilt it in 2011 in Changhua. It lightful Pingxi (peaceful river) line is one of station with a passing siding where branch- is the largest of Taiwan’s steam locomotives. the most popular branch lines in Taiwan. line trains meet. Shifen is split in two by the he second is CK124 built in 1936 by railway, and it should be your Nishia, a rare 2-6-2T. hese locomotives irst stop. People visit here just see occasional use in excursions around the Taiwan railways to purchase lanterns at one of the island or for special events. Keelung many shops, write a wish or de- he roundhouse is open for visitors Nangang Jingtong Station ShifenRuifang sire on it, and set it of on the wind Tuesday-Sunday and has an excellent view- Taoyuan Sandiaoling Station Mundan (just like a hot-air balloon). It is ing platform, adjacent to the working turn- Taipei Western Trunk Line (North) Banqiao common for people to “launch” table. he platform not only provides excel- Liujia Line Pingxi Line their lanterns from the railway and a lent views of the roundhouse, but ofers Liujia Yilan Line Zhunan (Chunan) Yilan warning system alerts everyone to great views of the West Coast main line and approaching trains. the Changhua yard. Visitors are likely to Western Trunk Neiwan Line Su’ao Line (Coast Line) Trains operate on 30-minute head- see EMD diesels and/or GE electrics taking Taichung Line ways, and you can stop, explore, and a ride on the turntable during a visit. Taichung (Mountain Line) HSR station then ride to the next town. We rode North Link Line Horen from Shifen to Lingilao and then The Alishan Forest Railway Changhua walked to Pingxi, which features eater- Outside of Asia, the Alishan Forest Roundhouse Xinwuri Taroko Station ies and shops. Further up at the end of Railway is virtually unknown, but it is one Western Trunk Jiji Line Hualien Line (South) the line at Jingtong is the remains of of the best alpine railways in the world.

South the coal-loading facilities at the Coal his 2-foot-gauge railway was completed Korea Memorial Park. his is a great place to in 1912 to tap into the large timber re- Dulishan Sacred Tree walk around, grab a bite, and take sources in the mountains. he railway be- Chiayi 1 Alishan Station China Japan photos. On your return trip to Ruifang, gins in Chiayi at about 100 feet elevation plan to board the train at Jingtong. he and climbs to 8,039 feet at the summit sta- Alishan Forest Railway Yuli Taiwan Mount Yu Shan Nippon Sharyo DMUs have a passen- tion, Chushan. Trains must traverse several ger seat in the front, and you can get a horseshoe curves, climb grades in excess of Philippines nice head-end ride and view the line 6 percent, and ascend over a series of three Tainan Shalun Taitung Line all the way back to Ruifang. loops. he railway has several switchbacks Shalun Line near the summit, which complicate opera- Zuoying Taitung HSR station Changhua Roundhouse tions. he whole line is a remarkable piece Pingtung HSR line (standard gauge) Taimali Kaohsiung TRA lines (42" gauge) he administration has preserved of engineering. Alishan Forest Railway Taiwan’s last remaining roundhouse However the true gems of the Alishan Pingtung Line (24" gauge) in Changhua. Changhua is easy to Railway are the preserved Shays. Lima-built Fangliao Dawu South Link Line travel to from Taipei via TRA Limited between 1910 and 1917, these locomotives Fangshan Express trains, taking approximately were the mountain workhorses. In 1962, 2½ hours each way. Alternatively, you diesels began to replace the Shays, as log- N can ride a high speed train from Tai- ging began to decline. However, three are

0 Scale 100 miles pei to Taichung, transfer to a local still operable and are used on special occa- © 2018 Kalmbach Publishing Co., TRAINS: Rick Johnson passenger train to Changhua, and sions: Nos. 25, 26, and 31. All have three cylinders and weigh 28 tons. Dulishan Liyuanliao 1 2 Jiaoliping Shizifendao Mujiliao 3 Riding the Alishan Fenqihu Pingzhena Several typhoons and the Sept. 21, 1999, (Fenchihu) Duolin Zhushan earthquake have damaged the Alishan Rail- Lumachan Shuisheliao Alishan (Chushan) Station way, with numerous washouts and mud- Beimen Shizilu Chiayi Scale 10 miles slides taking out signiicant portions of the railway. At this time, operations on the Alis- han Railway are split into two distinct seg- 2 3 Line west of Sacred Tree Shizifendao ments, the main line from Chiayi to Fenqihu is out of service Shenmu Dulishan (Sacred and the Alishan Recreation Area branch Tree) lines. While work is ongoing to rebuild the 17 miles of railroad from Fenqihu to Sacred Pingzhena Zhaoping Tree, it is not expected to be inished until Zhushan 2022. Nevertheless, travelers can ride both Wye Alishan (Chushan) Erwanping 0 Scale 1 mile segments and enjoy the highlights of the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. Zhangnaoliao 0 Scale 1⁄4 miles (Jhangaoliao) Taiwan’s last remaining roundhouse is in Changhua. Built in 1922, the roundhouse is home to two steam engines, Kawasaki-built 2-8-2 Mikado DT668 and Nishia-built 2-6-2T CK124, as well as other EMD diesels and GE electrics. The roundhouse is open to the public.

In Chiayi, we meet our host for the trip, over themselves three times. here are 12 National Forest Recreation Area. Each of Lin, who at the time was the deputy direc- tunnels in this stretch alone, and the tracks these lines are short, but unique. he sun- tor of Alishan Forest Railway division. We actually make a igure eight in the last loop, rise train is one of the special and popular visit the railway yard and park at Piemen, the only continuous triple loop in the world. trips for visitors to this region. his line where we glimpse a rare treat: Shay No. 25 he train arrives at Fenqihu on time was inished in January 1986 and extends to under steam. and everyone disembarks as the railway Chushan, the highest railway station in Tai- he train departs from Chiayi for Fenq- is closed beyond this point. We tour the wan, at 8,041 feet. he second is the line to ihu at 9 a.m.; however, there is a second de- historic locomotive shed where Shay Sacred Tree (Shenmu Line), which is actual- parture at 10 a.m. on weekends and holi- Nos. 29 and 18 are on display and then ly part of the main line to Chiayi. he third days. All trains operate push-pull, with the enjoy a famous Fenqihu “lunch box” with rail operation goes from Alishan to about locomotive on the rear. he journey takes rice, vegetables, and pork. hen Lin takes halfway up the line to Chushan to Zhaoping only 2 hours and 20 minutes, so we board us to Alishan to ride the other portions of station, in late morning. the train, ind our seats, and settle in for the the railway. Lin shows us an enjoyable way to expe- trip. As we head up the foothills and into If you plan to ride the train from Fenqi- rience these rail services as well as the nat- the mountains, the train traverses four hu back to Chiayi the same day, it’s not ural beauty of the Alishan Forest area. We diferent climatic zones. Fertile farms and possible to go to Alishan and ride the rest ride uphill from Alishan to Zhaoping sta- ields of the lowlands slowly give way to of the railroad without spending the night tion and then walk the trails downhill to forests of bamboo and betel nut trees. on the mountain. A bus service connects Sacred Tree Station. From here we return Just ater the station stop at Jhangnao- Fenqihu to Alishan and accommodations on one of the frequent trains from liao, our train begins the steep climb at the are available at Alishan. Sacred Tree to Alishan. he entire journey Dulishan triple loops. Over the course of Alishan is the focus of train operations takes about 90 minutes. An Alishan Na- 3 miles, the tracks gain elevation by looping on the cluster of three lines operating in the tional Forest Recreation Area map, available at the train station, is useful if you If you go make this delightful expedition. Travelers to Taiwan may want to consider purchasing a Taiwan High Speed Rail Pass. There are You can ride RDCs, too four types, and they must be purchased prior to arrival in Taiwan. The three-day pass and the two- Variety abounds: not just Shays, but you day flex pass are good for unlimited high speed rail travel. The five-day pass and five-day express can ride RDCs, too. With the completion of pass include regular passenger rail, so they can be used for trips around the island on both the South Link Line in 1992, it’s possible to systems. For details: www.thsrc.com.tw/event/2013/THSRPass/EN/index.html travel completely around Taiwan via rail. However, portions of the line have yet to be

www.TrainsMag.com 35 A narrow gauge train pauses at Alishan Station. One of the railroad’s three Shays, No. 24, rests in the background. In 1962, diesels began to replace Shays as logging began to decline. The railroad continues to maintain and operate its Shays.

electriied, so TRA through trains to the We arrive at Taitung about 45 minutes National Parks, Taroko Gorge. east coast operate with Japanese-built later. For many years, Taitung was the We book a room at a bed-and-breakfast RDCs reminiscent of the New Haven Rail- southern terminus of the railway on the near the park, owned by a wonderful cou- road, or coaches hauled with EMD diesels. Paciic coast, and it has signiicant yard ple, Lisa and Boya. hey are retired school Ater spending the night at the Kindness facilities. North from Taitung, the line is teachers, have extensive knowledge of the Hotel just 2 minutes from the Kaohsiung electriied and mostly double tracked. area, and speak excellent English. Boya station, my wife and I board a set of Taiwan’s Railway Reconstruction Bureau picks us up at the train station and takes us DR2800-class RDCs that comprise train is currently working on extending the elec- to the Taroko Sialin Cofee Farm. he bo- No. 301 for our trip to Hualien. triication to the south and west, with a nus is they live right next to the main line, Initially, we travel east and south passing goal of completing the round-the-island so we can watch the nonstop rail action through Pingtung on an electriied, double- electriication program by 2020. right from their home. here is a roadway track railroad; however, the catenary stops he RDCs accelerate out of the station bridge over the tracks an easy 5-minute and the line then turns to single track. We and the Taitung Line brings us inland walk from their house from which you can skirt along the coast briely before we start through a beautiful rit valley. We pass a easily take photos. here are lots of options our ascent up the mountains. At Fangshan, number of rice paddies and can see the for visitors to see the gorge, with English- our train inally makes a direct assault mountains towering on either side of our speaking tours via taxis and buses available, against the mountains as we enter the irst of train. he rail line cuts back toward the so make time to see and enjoy it. 37 tunnels on the South Link Line. In fact, Paciic Coast just before Hualien, and we over this segment, the train spends most of catch a brief glimpse of the shimmering Take a tilt train its journey in tunnels. Just before Dawu, we waters in the distance just before we make he next morning is our last day in Tai- pop out of a tunnel and ind the sparkling our on-time stop. wan, and it dawns humid, gray, and rainy. blue Paciic Ocean beckoning below and on Hualien is a great place to stop over and Boya takes us to Taroko train station, which our right. Our train heads north along the enjoy the beautiful landscape of Taiwan’s is one of the newest on the island, and we beautiful Paciic coast line for the next 27 east coast. It’s built on a narrow plain be- say goodbye to our new friend. We catch a miles. As we speed north, the view is spec- tween the towering mountains on the west local train to Hualien so we can board our tacular, and it reminds me of the famous and the Paciic to the east. In addition, it Tze-Chiang Express Puyuma tilt train to Surf Line in California. provides access to one of Taiwan’s best Taipei. he TRA made special arrangements

>> Take in Taiwan with author 36 Trains JUNE 2018 Jeffrey T. Schultz: www.TrainsMag.com for me to ride in the head end to Taipei. Puyuma No. 411 arrives in Hualien on time, and a substantial crowd boards the train with us. Ater inding our seats and stowing our bags, I walk toward the head end. Finding the conductor, I show him my authorization letter, and he leads me into the cab. he Puyuma tilt trains are the premier trains in the TRA leet, and have signii- cantly improved passenger services on the curvy east coast rail line since their intro- duction in 2012. Our train is scheduled to take only 2 hours and 7 minutes to cover the 120 miles from Hualien to Taipei. Built in Japan, these streamlined eight-car EMUs have upscale interiors, and smart-looking paint schemes. It’s a full cab in the Puyuma today, as a train manager, engineer, and a trainee are all working. he engineer loudly calls out and points his hand at each signal (in the same manner as I have seen with Japanese engi- neers) and the trainee dutifully repeats the procedure. You can tell from the uniforms, A Puyuma tilt train meets the author’s Tze-Chiang Express Puyuma tilt train. The Taiwan hats, and even the gloves the engineer is Railways Administration introduced these streamlined eight-car EMUs in 2012. wearing, that they take their jobs seriously, and are proud to be working for TRA. As we head north, it begins to rain hard. It’s diicult to see outside, but our train is soon zipping along at 75 mph. Known as the North Link line, this stretch of railway was one of the most diicult to construct in Taiwan, with 19 miles of tunneling. Opened in 1980, electriied in 2003, and double-tracked in 2005, this line originates a signiicant amount of freight, with a major cement plant located at Horen. It also contains the 6.4-mile-long New Guanyin- shan Tunnel, Taiwan’s longest. Ater stops at Su’ao and Yilan, the rain subsides and our train runs along the Pacif- ic Ocean again for a bit, and Turtle Island is visible to our right. his section of track, the Yilan Line, is one of the oldest stretches of Taiwan’s railways, initially built during the colonial period. he tilt feature of the Puyu- ma is most advantageous on this portion of Inside the author’s Puyuma train’s cab, Engineer Chung-Kuei Hsu and student Cheng- the trip, as it seems like we are almost con- Chou Cheng point out and loudly state the signal ahead of their train, a typical practice. stantly curving from right to let and back again through the mountainous terrain. turn to the station and board a high speed Taipei directly from the U.S. and Canada, he railroad action is virtually nonstop train for the 19-minute trip to Taoyuan sta- getting here is easy, and with the strong as we approach Taipei. At Mundan we pass tion and transfer to a bus to the airport. dollar exchange rate, it is an excellent value. GE E42C No. 329 stopped with a train of 20 However, Taoyuan Metro began operations he last time Trains published an arti- hopper cars, and 10 minutes later, we pass in 2017, so you can take the train from Tai- cle on Taiwan was 1978, 40 years ago. Wil- Sandiaoling Station and the junction with pei Main Station to the Taiwan Taoyuan In- liam D. Middleton, one of the most proliic the Pingxi line. At Ruifang another freight ternational Airport directly in 35 minutes. authors for Trains magazine, wrote this: train, with GE E42C No. 336 on the point, Formosa is a fabulous and exotic place “he wonder about Taiwan is that it has is stopped waiting for us to clear. Commut- to travel and explore by rail. he diversity gone largely unremarked by train enthusi- er trains pass in both directions as we near of railway trips available on this beautiful asts for so long.” His words, strangely pro- Taipei, and another Puyuma zips by head- island is amazing, but what truly makes phetic, are still true today. So do you like ing east toward Taitung. Soon we descend this place wonderful to visit are the GE electrics? First- and second-generation underground into the tunnel that will bring extraordinary Taiwan people. hey are EMD diesels? Shays? High speed rail? Tilt us to Taipei Main Station. At Nangang, I friendly and helpful, and always make you trains? RDCs? You can see them all in Tai- thank the crew for the trip and head back to feel welcome and safe. English is widely wan. Take the trip, see the show, and revel join my wife. Five minutes later, we arrive in spoken, especially among the younger gen- in this fabulous railway island paradise in Taipei right on time. Later that day, we re- eration. With several major airlines serving the Paciic. 2

www.TrainsMag.com 37 MAP OF THE MONTH Crossing the Cascades Comparing Great Northern, Milwaukee Road, and Northern Pacific routes through Washington

Spokane to Seattle GN Great Northern 330 miles MILW Milwaukee Road 310 miles NP Northern Pacific 399 miles Spokane to Portland SP&S Spokane, Portland & Seattle 377 miles UP Union Pacific 429 miles Cascade GN electrification 72 miles Tunnel MILW electrification 216 miles Abandoned Everett Jct. Joint trackage

Monroe Gold Bar Track summit GN Baring Merritt GN Winton NP GN Skykomish SPOKANE 1 Chumstick Cedar FallsSnoqualmie Waukon UP SEATTLE MILW Tunnel Leavenworth NP Cashmere MILW See detail GN GN SP&S Black below UP (MILW) River Jct. Wenatchee Cheney Auburn MILW Hyak NP GN Ephrata SP&S 2 Easton NP MILW Cle ElumMILW Tacoma Olympia GN/NP/UP Ravensdale UP (MILW) Lester MILW Kanaskat Beverly N Stampede Bristol Jct. Tenino Jct. Mount Rainier Tunnel Marengo Not all lines shown Ellensburg Othello Routes c. 1960 Chehalis NP SP&S UP 0Scale 50 miles Yakima Columbia River GN/NP/UP Ayer The Spokane, Portland & Seattle route along the Toppenish Columbia River climbs from Mount St. Helens Pasco 23 feet above sea level in NP Kelso-Longview Gibbon Vancouver, Wash., to 356 feet Wallula at Pasco. A short segment between Lyle and North Dalles has a ruling grade of SP&S UP 2.57 percent eastbound and Hinkle Portions of the “Hi-Line” were 0.39 percent westbound. Wishram used to build Interstate 90. Otherwise, grades are less Vancouver Columbia River SP&S than 0.3 percent. PORTLAND UPUP 2 The Dalles In Oregon, the Union Paciﬁc’s UP 90 route along the Columbia Laconia climbs from 25 feet above Milwaukee’s “Hi-Line” was 9.1 miles, with a maximum grade of sea level in Portland to more 2.7 percent between Rockdale and Laconia, and 2.2 percent than 600 feet in Hinkle. Its between Laconia and Keechelus. The Snoqualmie Tunnel grades are less than 0.6 shortened the route by 3.7 miles and saved 443.5 feet of percent except for a brief altitude. Tunnel construction was August 1910-March 1911 and Rockdale MILW Hyak 2,564 feet segment of 1.02 percent May 1912-February 1915. The ﬁrst train passed through on Jan. 17, leaving Portland. 1915, and the tunnel remained in use while it was completed.

Snoqualmie Tunnel 0Scale 4 miles Temporary switchback route 2.25 miles long. K e opened Jan. 6, 1893; First Cascade Tunnel, 2.63 miles, e c h Milwaukee Pacific Extension abandoned with opening of opened Dec. 20, 1900, shortening the e lu Opened 1909; electrified first Cascade Tunnel. An route by 8 miles; 4 miles electrified s

Othello-Tacoma & Seattle 1920; avalanche at Wellington (later from Cascade Tunnel to Wellington in L U.S. Highway 2 is built on the a renamed Tye) buried two 1909. Abandoned with opening of the k electrification abandoned 1893 Great Northern grade. e 1 trains and killed 96 people on second Cascade Tunnel. 1971; abandoned 1980. March 1, 1910. It was the The Stampede Pass switchbacks 2,894 feet were opened June 6, 1887, as the deadliest avalanche disaster 4,027 feet in the U.S. and prompted the Stampede Tunnel was being built. The 8-mile route included two building of the second Cascade Tunnel 2 N Cascade Tunnel. switchbacks on each side, 1 mile GN of timber cribbing, three-quar- Berne Keechelus 3,350 feet Mill Creek ters of a mile of snowsheds, 31 Shaft New line built with rock trestles, and a 5.6-percent grade. MILW excavated from second Trains were limited to five cars. It 3,678 feet Cascade Tunnel. was kept open as an alternative route for several years after the Stevens tunnel opened. Tye Pass Mill Creek Shaft, 662 feet deep, allowed construction to proceed from 9090 NP (Wellington) the middle as well as both ends. Tunnel No. 4 2,837 feet 2 Second Cascade Tunnel, 7.79 miles, opened N Jan. 12, 1929; electrified from Wenatchee to Martin Stampede Tunnel, 1.86 miles GN Skykomish; electrification abandoned 1956. NP long, was opened May 27, Scenic Due to ventilation problems, the tunnel can 1888; the entire line was 0 Scale 4 miles only handle 28 trains a day. It’s the longest mothballed from 1984-1996. railroad tunnel in the United States.

38 Trains JUNE 2018 Summit Elev. 2,894 feet Berne Elevation Ruling grade westward in feet Stevens Pass Merritt

Scenic 2.13% 2,800 2.34% Winton 2,600 2,400 1.56% Leavenworth 2,200 Cascade 2,000 Ruling grade eastward Tunnel 1.76% 1,800 Skykomish 2.51% Cashmere 1,600 Wenatchee

1,400 Baring 1.60% 1,200

Everett Jct. 0.50% 1.86% 1,000 Gold Bar

800 Monroe 1.00% BNSF mileposts are still numbered 600 0.80% 0.70% for the ﬁrst Cascade Tunnel line; 400 miles 1709.5 to 1720.5 are omitted. 200 0 1680 1660 1650 1688 1690 1684 1668 1686 1664 1666 1654 1700 1658 1656 1698 1696 1694 1708 1682 1662 1780 1704 1706 1750 1652 1730 1760 1784 1692 1754 1758 1756 1670 1734 1738 1768 1770 1764 1736 1702 1766 1740 1728 1678 1782 1726 1752 1778 1672 1748 1744 1676 1732 1762 1746 1722 1772 1776 1724 1742 1674 1774

To Seattle Mileposts To Spokane

Summit Elev. 2,837 feet Stampede Pass is named Stampede for the workers who Elevation Stampede Pass Martin “stampeded” when ordered in feet to do more work.

2,800 Easton Ruling grade westward Cle Elum 2,600 2.30% Bristol 2,400 2.49% 0.60% Ellensburg 2,200 0.91% Lester Stampede 2,000 Tunnel 1.75% 1,800

1,600 Kanaskat Ruling grade eastward Ravensdale 1,400 3.03% 1,200 1,000 1.03% 800 600 Auburn 400 2.01% 200 0 100 102 80 40 60 90 50 88 84 86 68 48 98 44 64 46 30 66 54 58 56 96 20 94 34 38 82 42 36 62 70 52 28 92 26 78 32 22 72 76 24 74 10 18 14 16 12 0 8 4 6 2 t To Seattle Mileposts To Spokane

Snoqualmie Pass Summit Elev. 2,564 feet

Elevation Hyak in feet Easton Ruling grade westward 2,600 Cle Elum

Rockdale 0.70% 2,400 1.74% Ellensburg 2,200 0.70% 2,000

RulingCedar Falls grade eastward 1,800 Snoqualmie 0.40% 1,600 1.74% Tunnel 1,400 1,200 Black River Jct. 1,000 800 0.80% 600 400 200 0 2178 2176 2174 2172 2170 2168 2166 2164 2162 2160 2158 2156 2154 2152 2150 2148 2146 2144 2142 2140 2138 2136 2134 2132 2130 2128 2126 2124 2122 2120 2118 2116 2114 2112 2110 2108 2106 2104 2102 2100 2098 2096 2094 2092 2090 2088 2086 2084 2082 2080 2078 2076 2074 2072

To Seattle Mileposts To Spokane

www.TrainsMag.com 39 EACH DAY, Florida East Coast Railway does the impossible: It loads its own containers on double-stack cars at Jacksonville, Fla., and then launches them to Miami, just 351 miles to the south. hey arrive on time, nearly every time. It’s proitable business that, combined with trailers and containers that truckers bring to Jacksonville, accounts for nearly half of FEC’s intermodal traic. Conventional wisdom says that you cannot do this. You can’t possibly make money on short-haul intermodal, deined as moving containers or trailers less than 500 miles. And you certainly can’t provide the speed and service that matches trucks. Yet FEC does so, day in and day out. Its secret? here are three, really. First, FEC uses its own trucking company to bring containers to the railroad via highway from Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond — so it pockets the revenue from both the highway and the rail portions of the move. Second, the boxes ride general-purpose trains that depart multiple times a day. hird, truckers hate South Florida. he congested Mi- ami area consumes stuf by the trainload, but makes almost nothing, so truckers are happy to hand their business to FEC at Jacksonville. FEC even ofers intermodal service to intermediate points. “To us, Jacksonville to Cocoa is short-haul,” Jim Wiggins, assistant vice president of marketing, says of the 150-mile rail routing. he Class I railroads look at short-haul intermodal and shrug their

Florida East Coast train No. 226 crosses a causeway in St. Augustine, Fla., in April 2017. FEC stretches just 351 miles from Miami to Jacksonville, exemplifying short-haul intermodal trafﬁc. Dean Mastoras

he beauty of this system is that it wrings maximum proit from each container. And it plays to rail’s strength: Hooking up and hauling large volumes over long distances. But this won’t work for short-haul service. “You can’t run a giant train in short- haul,” says intermodal analyst Larry Gross. For one thing, there wouldn’t be enough volume to support long trains in short-haul markets. For another, a truck would make a round trip in the time it takes just to load and unload a mammoth stack train. hen there’s the cost factor. “By the time you’ve used these multimillion-dollar cranes and the ive-position stack car, it’s much more expensive per well than a Road- Railer seat would be,” says Jim Newton, the former president of Triple Crown Services. “You’ve blown much of your advantage Norfolk Southern intermodal trains pass at Cassandra, Pa., with J.B. Hunt containers. Hunt, before you’ve even moved.” a trucking company, is a traditional customer of long-distance rail service. George W. Hamlin Lit costs disappear in the 800- to 1,500- mile range because they shrink as part of shoulders. Why bother? he big systems are RoadRailers on Norfolk Southern and the the overall cost of the move, says Jim Blaze, blessed with long hauls between major met- Montreal-Toronto Expressway service on a consultant and former Conrail executive ropolitan areas that can support massive Canadian Paciic — lirted with success. But who has studied short-haul intermodal. In double-stack trains. It’s a successful formula CP pulled the plug on Expressway, efective a nutshell, the high intermodal terminal that has supported intermodal growth while June 1, and Triple Crown now operates a costs are ofset by the low cost of moving a boosting eiciency and proitability. lone route and will probably go away ater container over the main line for more than But nearly all of the freight moving on its equipment wears out. 800 miles. Rail can be competitive down to highways travels less than 500 miles, repre- So, against this backdrop, where does 500 miles. senting a vast untapped market for rail- short-haul intermodal go? What’s a catalyst But terminal operating costs loom large roads. With coal traic in long-term decline for Class I railroads to look at short haul? Is for short-haul intermodal. Combine those and carload business struggling nearly evan alternate platform required, like Road- costs with drayage — the trucking move to erywhere, short-haul intermodal presents a Railer, Expressway, or something else? And and from the terminal to a shipper’s dock rare growth opportunity. if railroads won’t innovate, will a technology — and short-haul intermodal doesn’t make It’s also something shippers want. “We company like Amazon or a logistics compa- economic sense under the current double- have not seen enough short, service-sensi- ny like UPS step in to drive change, much as stack business model. tive lanes being developed by the railroads,” ocean shipping irm APL did to begin the here are exceptions, of course. Where Jason Lau, senior logistics manager at medi- double-stack revolution three decades ago? railroads currently ield short-haul service, cal device company Medtronic, told a ship- it’s due to one of two things. per conference in 2017. “It’s a huge concern.” INTERMODAL TODAY he irst is unusual circumstances, like FEC has drawn the blueprint for how Current railroad intermodal networks the BMW traic Norfolk Southern handles fast, frequent trains that run to schedule can are focused almost exclusively on double- 235 miles between the German automaker’s compete with trucks. Yet there are a host of stacking international containers and do- assembly plant in Greer, S.C., and the Port obstacles to short-haul service. Among mestic loads from major trucking compa- of Charleston. Public money built the in- them: Class I railroads’ current business nies like J.B. Hunt and Schneider, along with land port and port terminals. When BMW’s model, meager short-haul proit margins boxes from intermodal marketing compa- volumes eventually grew to support inter- that don’t justify the costs to build terminals nies like XPO Logistics and Hub Group. modal, traic shited from road to rail. and buy equipment, and extremely tight hese networks require large terminals he second is where short-haul has risen service requirements. in major metropolitan areas. Because the more out of desperation than inspiration. As a result, short-haul intermodal is so terminals are expensive to build and oper- With only 351 miles of railroad, short-haul small that “niche market” is too big a term. ate, they must handle high volumes of is by deinition all that FEC can do. At the You can count true short-haul service on traic. he Class I railroads choose to opposite end of the East Coast, regional Pan just one hand. he Class I domestic short- move this volume in long trains that may Am Railways sees hauling containers of haul experiments — Triple Crown Services exceed 12,000 feet. Poland Spring bottled water from Maine to Massachusetts as a necessity while its traditional traic base, paper from mills in Maine, dwindles. “IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GROW You also could add a couple other cate- gories for short-haul intermodal: A growing INTERMODAL TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL, number of inland port moves on CSX and NS in the Southeast and one on BNSF Rail- THEN YOU NEED TO GET COMPETITIVE way in the Paciic Northwest, as well as regional railroad short hauls that are part of a IN SHORT-HAUL MARKETS.” longer-haul Class I railroad move, like Canadian National’s service from Vancou-

42 Trains JUNE 2018 Along its route from Charleston to Atlanta, Norfolk Southern intermodal train No. 237 picks up a block of Atlanta-bound cars at the South Carolina Inland Port in Greer on Aug. 29, 2015. The facility supports a nearby BMW assembly plant. Casey Thomason ver and Prince Rupert, B.C., that reaches thing to do,” Clarke says. Class I railroad average. Indianapolis over the Indiana Rail Road. hat’s an understatement. Everywhere “At some point you cross the line where you look there are obstacles to short-haul you are sacriicing things with adequate OPPORTUNITY AND OBSTACLES intermodal service. rates of return just to torture a statistic, Around 75 percent of truck trips are be- he irst barrier is the industry’s obses- which is a low operating ratio,” Newton tween 300 and 500 miles, generally consid- sion with ever-lower operating ratios. Rail- says. “here has to be some kind of relief ered the absolute minimum range for inter- roads focus on traic with higher revenue from that if you want to compete in short- modal. “he railroads really hardly dent and proits, which, when combined with haul markets.” $676 BILLION that market,” says David Clarke, director of low costs, helps keep the operating ratio Short-haul intermodal can’t generate the Center for Transportation Research at down. And that means short-haul service, enough proit to support new terminals, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. with its razor-thin proit margins, almost particularly if they’re built for double- he market is huge. he trucking indus- never makes it to the drawing board. stacks. “How is the railroad going to do try generates nearly $700 billion in revenue “Mae West said too much of a good this on a fast, cheap loading basis? hat annually — or roughly 10 times the com- thing is a good thing, but I don’t know if she remains the fundamental unanswered bined revenue of the Class I systems. “If you meant operating ratio when she said that,” question,” Blaze says. really want to grow intermodal to its full Newton says. Truckers, ater all, live in an Locomotives are another issue. Today’s potential, then you need to get competitive industry with operating ratios above 90 per- standard 4,400-hp, six-axle, A.C.-traction in short-haul markets, which is not an easy cent, or roughly 30 points higher than the locomotive is expensive overkill. “hey’re not the best at getting a short, light intermodal train over the road,” says C. Tyler Dick, senior railroad research engineer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham- paign’s Rail Transportation and Engineering Center. In fact, locomotives are the largest above-the-rail cost for a short-haul intermodal operation. “here are no more GP38s,” Newton laments. Out on the main line, short-haul intermodal trains collide with an unfortunate but common-sense reality: Railroads priori- tize more lucrative longer-haul traic. “When capacity gets tight, equipment is diverted to longer hauls,” Gross says. he same goes for scarce space in terminals or TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE Class I railroads (combined) Indiana Rail Road train SAHW passes Bargersville, Ind., with containers up front. The Entire trucking industry westbound boxes go to a Canadian National connection in Illinois. Randy Olson $65.8 Source: American Trucking BILLION Associations, Association of American Railroads service. Walmart, for example, this year began ining suppliers who fail to deliver to warehouses on time. Good service pays: While railroads earn $41 for every 1,000 revenue ton-miles with long trains, truckers hauling smaller shipments over shorter distances earn nearly ive times more, Case said at the RailTrends 2017 conference. Yet railroads fear to tread in those shorter hauls despite the higher value of each shipment. One thing rail has going for it is the state of the decaying interstate highway system. Highway congestion in urban areas, already bad, is projected to grow even Four-axle power, like these former Union Pacific GP38-3s now leased to Illinois Railway, is worse in the next 20 years. hese bottle- better suited to light, fast intermodal trains than today’s ubiquitous six-axle units. Brian Schmidt necks will raise costs for truckers while posing service reliability challenges. Rail- on the line of road. hauls, says Rodney Case, a partner at the roads, meanwhile, own their own infra- he Triple Crown network once consulting irm Oliver Wyman. structure — and it’s in tip-top shape. spanned the Norfolk Southern system, and he argument goes something like this. “Railroads have underdeveloped corri- the fast RoadRailer trains ate up mainline Railroads are taking an ever smaller slice dors in urban areas,” Case says, including capacity on the largely single-track railroad. of the overall transportation pie. If this the Northeast Corridor, around Los Ange- “It drove the operating people crazy,” recalls trend is accelerated by autonomous truck- les, and the San Francisco Bay area. “If you Tom Finkbiner, who was vice president of ing, railroads that go about business-as- believe that’s true, then rail’s ability to pro- intermodal at NS from 1987 to 1999. usual will eventually become like barges vide short-haul service in congested areas is “If you look at short-haul intermodal at that ply the Mississippi River. hey’ll be a new market opportunity.” its ideal, it looks an awful lot like a passen- quaint and functional, Case says, but It won’t be an easy transformation for ger operation,” Clarke says. Fast, frequent would be let out of the fastest-growing the rail industry, Case says. he efort trains would move over corridors with dou- areas of the economy. In fact, railroads would involve overlaying an entirely new ble-track CTC and reverse signalling. And stand to gain little of the projected 50-per- business model on the existing network. that’s a problem. “Passenger corridors are cent growth in overall freight transporta- Keep the long-haul, pipeline-on-wheels expensive to operate,” Clarke says. tion over the next two decades. type of traic. Coexist with passenger and Even if a railroad could clear the techni- Why? Supply chains are getting tighter, commuter service. And then toss in new cal, cost, and management hurdles facing and producers are locating closer to custom- short-haul intermodal. short-haul intermodal, there’s another chal- ers. So more freight is moving in smaller here are at least three ways to do this: lenge: Ticking of your existing intermodal shipments covering shorter distances. hink Dedicated short-haul intermodal trains customers. By launching door-to-door containers of consumer goods moving from that depart frequently; intermodal traic intermodal service, a U.S. railroad would ports to distribution centers or new card- imbedded in general-purpose trains with wind up competing with the trucking and board boxes heading from paperboard multiple daily departures; or by hitching a intermodal marketing companies who pro- plants to e-commerce fulillment centers. ride on the tail of passenger or commuter vide the lion’s share of domestic intermodal Companies also are demanding better trains in densely populated corridors to loads. “Maintaining good relationships with your large customers and not competing against them is certainly something that’s in the heads of many railroad executives,” Clarke says. In light of these obstacles, the Class I railroads currently have little incentive to invest in short-haul intermodal. “he problem is the board rooms are about being risk-averse rather than taking risk,” Fink- biner says. hree decades ago, when NS was developing the Triple Crown network, the board was concerned about the future of the industry and the very survival of the company. Now every railroad is making money. “he impetus just isn’t there to make that change,” Finkbiner says. NEED FOR SPEED, AND SERVICE But looming changes and converging trends in freight transportation threaten to leave railroads behind. To grow meaning- fully — and even to remain relevant — they’ll need to ofer faster, more lexible, Short-haul intermodal service could benefit from the lower costs and shorter build time of and more dependable service over shorter trailer-on-flatcar service, like this lift on Florida East Coast at Fort Pierce, Fla. Drew Halverson

44 Trains JUNE 2018 Norfolk Southern train 24M rolls south on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor through the MARC commuter rail station at Aberdeen, Md., in October 2011. The populous Northeast could be a major market for intermodal service during lulls in passenger trafﬁc. Michael S. Murray tap unused train capacity. Using distributed power, Case says, allows the train to be quickly tied to the last coach. Imagine an intermodal consist waiting for an Amtrak train to pull into a station in New Jersey. It would tie on, then enjoy the ride to Harrisburg, Pa., where it would uncouple and make a beeline for a FedEx sort- ing center and back several times per day. Railroads could fund pilot programs at minimal cost, Case contends, and experiment in the Northeast, California, Texas, and in various Midwest lanes radiating from Chicago. INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS What would a domestic short-haul operation look like? To have a chance at success, Boxcars and trailers punctuate an Amtrak train at Cresson, Pa., in 1998. A new passenger short-haul intermodal needs a Goldilocks partnership could be the right route to short-haul intermodal expansion. David C. Warner environment where everything is just right. “Key ingredients include a high-density on cost and speed. “Fiteen percent circuity partures is an important diferentiator for freight corridor, a timely and reliable ser- is killer,” Blaze says. FEC’s service product, as it allows our cus- vice product, and a market where intermo- here has to be enough volume — say, tomers to tailor their service to meet the dal can ofer a real value proposition vs. 40 containers or trailers per train at a mini- needs of our mutual customers further over-the-road trucking,” says Brad Hall, mum — and loads need to be balanced along the supply chain,” Hall says. FEC’s senior vice president and chief com- equally in each direction. Drayage has to be From a management standpoint, it’s im- mercial oicer. “FEC Railway’s fast and reli- short or, ideally, no drayage at all by having portant to put all aspects of the operation able intermodal network on the Florida a distribution center or logistics park an- under one roof, with the exception of the peninsula checks all three of these boxes chor one or both ends of the route. Termi- locomotive and the rail portion of the for our customers.” nals can be simple — not much more than move. A short-haul operator would need to For short-haul to work from a service gravel and a forklit — to keep construction control the terminals, its truck leet, drivers, perspective, the railroad has to have main- and operating costs down. and its own information technology sys- line and terminal capacity, and the route Service needs to be frequent to compete tems. “What that does is get one uniied can’t be much more than 10 percent longer with trucks and their ability to go anywhere, enterprise looking at return on investment than parallel highways so rail can compete anytime. “We ind that multiple daily de- and governing use of assets,” Newton says.

www.TrainsMag.com 45 The Brandt truck, seen on UP at Wauwatosa, Wis., could be the ideal power for short, light intermodal trains. Mike Yuhas

modal universe. And you’ve kept your costs low by eliminating liting equipment. here are roll-on, roll-of options beyond Expressway. A French company, Lohr, makes what might be called an elegant, 21st- century version of New York Central’s pio- neering Flexi-Van concept. Each articulated latcar carries two trailers on a pair of decks, dubbed pockets, that pivot in terminals. his allows trucks to be loaded or unloaded nearly simultaneously. A train with 40 trailers can be unloaded and reloaded in just 30 minutes, enabling the fast terminal turn- arounds essential for frequent service. What about futuristic concepts? hese Bound for the Triple Crown hub at Fort Wayne, Ind., Norfolk Southern train No. 241 cruises include using autonomous trucks that could through Lackawanna, N.Y., on its 375-mile run from Buffalo, N.Y., July 1992. Bill Stephens deliver and automatically load trailers on latcars, then rely on a one-person train A BETTER MOUSETRAP work, Newton says. (RailRunner executives crew or even a fully autonomous train. If double-stack is not the best tool for did not respond to requests for comment.) “You’ve got to look at concepts like this,” the short-haul job, what other options do Expressway debuted in 1999 and Clarke says. railroads have? Plenty, but all would re- brought intermodal full circle, back to the Motive power, Newton suggests, could quire a willingness to invest in new equip- days when early piggyback trains were load- be a hot-rod version of something like the ment — and a solid business case for do- ed circus-style. Its trainsets, essentially con- Brandt R4 Railcar Mover, a Freightliner ing so. “Short-haul economics are totally ventional ive-pack latcars modiied for cir- truck-based vehicle found on short lines. diferent. As such, they require a clean- cus-style loading, split into three sections, Modify a trucklike vehicle to move at main- sheet approach — to the equipment, to the allowing quick loading and unloading. line speeds and you’ve got a relatively inex- manning of terminals, to linehaul ap- “Roll-on, roll-of capability would have pensive locomotive. proach, and to partnerships with custom- to play a factor in a pure short-haul busi- ers,” says David DeBoer, a retired inter- ness model,” Dick says. It’s easy to see why. LESSONS FROM OVERSEAS modal executive and author. Few highway trailers in service today are North American freight railroads are the Operationally, RoadRailer and Express- modiied to withstand being lited onto lat- most eicient and proitable in the world. So way are both proven systems that have cars. Fling open the terminal gates to them, they can’t possibly learn anything from Eu- rolled of millions of miles in revenue ser- and you greatly expand your potential inter- ropean railroads, right? Not so. And no- vice. Commercially, however, they presumably didn’t meet growth and proitability HERE’S HOW targets. Expressway once had twice-daily THE THREE departures linking Detroit; Windsor, Ontar- TYPES OF io; Toronto; and Montreal. Prior to June 1, INTERMODAL CP ielded a lone daily departure providing STACK UP Double-stack Triple Crown Expressway overnight service in the 350-mile Toronto- containers RoadRailers trailer on flatcars Montreal corridor. NS collapsed its Road- Railer network into a single Detroit-Kansas Length 10,500 feet 8,175 feet 5,000 feet City, Mo., lane in 2015. “he likelihood that they’ll reinvest and keep this going is close Size 350 containers 150 trailers 75 trailers to zero,” Blaze says. RoadRailer remains a viable option, Cubic capacity 3,970 cubic feet pc 4,100 cubic feet pt 4,100 cubic feet pt Newton says, because of its low terminal costs, ability to operate on road or rail, and Weight capacity 44,900 pounds pc 46,300 pounds pt 47,700 pounds pt relative ease for a highway shipper to switch to rail. A similar approach, the RailRunner Loading time 525 minutes 390 minutes 60 minutes system for carrying containers, also could *pc=per container; pt=per trailer 46 Trains JUNE 2018 A southbound Freightliner intermodal train passes Clay Cross Junction, near Chesterfield, England, in September 2015. This train operates from Leeds to Southampton, a distance of just 200 miles, and offers a short-haul lesson to U.S. operators. Colm O’Callaghan where is that more apparent than short-haul travels four times as far, says Michael States could help make short-haul ser- intermodal. “he European carriers seem to Miller, G&W’s chief commercial oicer. vice viable by shouldering some or all of the have the basics igured out in terms of gen- “In the U.K., the keys to success for terminal construction costs. “hat would eral terminal and line-haul equipment,” De- short-haul intermodal center around ser- decrease the terminal cost hurdle, making Boer says. “With a little tweaking, I think vice and lexibility,” Miller says. “Fre- the short-haul economics competitive with one of the major big seven carriers could put quency of service is critically important the direct origin-to-destination truck jour- together an interesting demonstration proj- due to train length constraints, volume ney,” Blaze says. Transportation oicials ect that could end up a real game-changer.” surges, customer service demands and also could tilt the balance in favor of do- By the Class I deinition, the rest of the the competitive service ofering of truck- mestic or international short-haul by tin- world operates short-haul intermodal. ing given the shorter lengths of haul.” kering with highway tolls. “It would give Short-haul service in Europe is driven by In the U.S., state transportation plan- short-haul a shot,” Blaze says. cost savings versus highway, traic conges- ners would love to see intermodal shuttle tion, and scheduled service that has the trains operating between ports and in- WHAT’S NEXT? ability to mesh with larger supply chains. It land terminals and distribution centers. If Class I railroads are thinking about works in Europe because equipment is low Port shuttles have long been on the wish dipping their toes into short-haul intermod- tare and terminals are low cost. hey oten list of California oicials, who say short- al, they’re keeping it quiet. All of the big sys- involve nothing more than a wide spot in haul rail service would help relieve truck tems declined to speak with Trains. But the tracks and a forklit that can wrestle a congestion around the ports of Los An- railroad executives are keenly aware of the 25-ton container on and of a latcar. Much geles and Long Beach, as well as the Port challenges coming at them from a rapidly higher fuel costs are also a factor. of Oakland. he ports back the concept. evolving transportation market. How they Genesee & Wyoming’s Freightliner And California transportation oicials will respond is not yet clear. Will they copy operations in the United Kingdom look are including short-haul intermodal in the FEC’s success story? Will the railroads nothing like anything on this side of the the state’s latest drat freight rail plan. innovate, as they have when faced with chal- pond. Freightliner handles 770,000 con- “It’s always on the state’s radar,” says lenges in the past? Or will they hunker down tainers per year from four deepwater Todd LaCasse, associate transportation and survive by clinging to captive traic? ports to inland destinations. All those planner with the Caltrans division of One thing’s for sure. “Innovation is boxes move in 30-car, single-stacked freight planning. “If you can ind a way to coming, either from inside rail or outside,” trains on fast, frequent schedules that av- do short-haul shuttles, you really alleviate Case says. “he opportunity for rail com- erage just 200 miles. By comparison, the signiicant problems with trucks.” But pared to the coming congestion on roads average North American intermodal BNSF and UP have shown little interest in is so massive, actors outside of rail may train is ive times longer, carries twice as bringing on business that competes for ca- take the lead. Consider that Amazon’s out- much freight due to double-stacking, and pacity with their bound shipping costs alone were larger long-haul than the total revenue of ive of the seven service. Class I railroads in 2016.” 2 >> Intermodal DVD Watch tons of intermodal trains in this Hot Spots DVD. www.KalmbachHobbyStore.com/IntermodalDVD www.TrainsMag.com 47 48 Trains JUNE 2018 With the 1-year clock ticking, Union Pacific closes in on the biggest steam restoration of all time: 4-8-8-4 No. 4014

Story and photos by Jim Wrinn

With the boiler resting on 100-ton freight-car trucks and the rebuilt front engine on an adjacent track, Big Boy No. 4014 inhabits a large portion of Union Paciﬁc’s Cheyenne, Wyo., steam shop in March 2018. To the right is 4-8-4 No. 484. 3

believed to be too big to ever happen, too far out of reach, or just a silly dream. Dream no more. hroughout the shop, conidence is high that we’ll see No. 4014 done by 2019. hat is a signiicant anniver- 1 sary itself: 60 years since a Big Boy last pulled revenue freight in regular service. Ed Dickens, the railroad’s manager for the restoration and the overall UP steam program, says the job is about 50 percent done. he focus is on the 300-psi boiler that is the heart of this 7,000-hp giant. He estimates that 85-to-90 percent of the parts needed to restore the locomotive are on hand. Boxes of new staybolts of varying lengths await installation. he rebuilt steam exhaust water pump sits on a workbench. A Nathan lubricator shines in fresh gloss black, having been overhauled. he much celebrated burner for oil iring is in the building. he crossheads are nearly done with ma- chining. he brake stand has been rebuilt. he list is a long and tedious one, but such is the way of steam locomotive restoration for the main line on a stage that only UP could provide. Only one highly visible part of the 2 old No. 4014 — the ashpans from the locomotive’s coal-burning days — will go away with the conversion to oil iring. his is the hard part of bringing a anniversary of the Transcontinental Rail- he time for taking parts of Big Boy Big Boy steam locomotive back road in May 2019, and the fans who have has passed, and the time for putting new to life. Deep inside the cavern- long dreamed of a Big Boy back in steam. or refurbished parts back on has arrived. Tous backshop at Cheyenne, he news out of Cheyenne is this: he hat is evident one track over from the Wyo., Union Paciic 4-8-8-4 crew is working on multiple tasks to get the Big Boy, where the front engine awaits No. 4014 as of mid-March was about as dis- job done. hey’re sequestered in a “clean wheels and a boiler: he front pilot has assembled as you can get and still be count- room,” where computerized machines are at been renewed. Rebuilt cross-compound ed as a locomotive. he wheels — all 24 of work. hey’re huddled around the gigantic air pumps are installed on the platform. them — were out from under and elsewhere trailing truck frame (estimated weight, Lubrication lines, soon to be covered up for repairs. Several 100-ton freight-car 17,000 pounds, and the size of a small car) by the boiler, snake across the top of the trucks supported the frame. he boiler was that’s been removed. hey’re perched in a lit frame in all directions. as empty as it has been since Alco built 4014 on the side of the boiler. Respectively, they’re Soon, the drivers with new tires and in 1941. he cab was in another part of the making bolts, inspecting the casting, and crank pins will return from rebuilding at the shop. he un-rebuilt tender sat in the yard. welding lexible staybolt sleeves. hey’re also Strasburg Rail Road’s shops. Workers will But there are signs of progress every- deep inside the irebox, where the task of re- load tubes and lues into the boiler. where at this bastion of steam. hese signs newing sections of metal is ongoing. UP will run 4-8-4 No. 844 only once give conidence to the crew who is laboring It is relentless, exhausting, and exhilarat- this year, on the Cheyenne Frontier Days hard to see this done, the railroad that wants ing work all at once. But you can sense that train in July, so the crew can stay focused to see this behemoth completed as a good- this is a crew that knows it is on the verge of on the Big Boy. hat is a small price to pay will ambassador in time for the 150th something big, something that was always for a Big Boy back in steam in 2019. 2

50 Trains JUNE 2018 4

5 1 A welder in a manlift astride the boiler works on flexible staybolt sleeves. The grid on boiler is to map its thickness. 2 The open smokebox door, smokebox, and boiler form a backdrop to the rebuilt front engine, complete with lubrication lines (not visible in picture), rebuilt air pumps, pump shields, and rebuilt pilot. 100-ton freight- car trucks support the front and rear portions of the locomotive. 3 Ed Dickens explains wear patterns and repairs to the crosshead guides. 4 The massive trailing truck, foreground, gets work, while the giant boiler dominates the floor of the UP steam shop in Cheyenne. 5 Boxes of flexible staybolts of varying lengths are ready for installation in the boiler. 6 Lifting cables surround the 6 17,000-pound trailing truck.

www.TrainsMag.com 51 brightling blazing Florida trains could rewrite book on U.S. passenger service

A buzz of excitement aboard the four-car BrightOr- eryone wanted to watch the It was less than three weeks illed the airy business-class ange trainset had never been train whiz past stopped lines since Brightline launched reve- car when Brightline’s 3:55 p.m. on a passenger train. of cars along adjacent Dixie nue service between Fort Lau- departure let Fort Lauderdale, As the two Siemens Char- Highway or ly through down- derdale and West Palm Beach Fla., for West Palm Beach on ger locomotives efortlessly towns like Delray Beach and on Jan. 13 with 11 round trips Feb. 1, 2018. Judging from reached a 79-mph cruising Boca Raton. All along the on weekdays and 10 on week- overheard conversations, it speed, riders kept a steady route, observers looked right ends. his 38-minute journey was clear many travelers gaze out the big windows. Ev- back at the speeding spectacle. clearly demonstrated why the

52 Trains JUNE 2018 On Jan. 11, 2018, two days before the start of revenue service, BrightPink blasts through Delray Beach, Fla., over newly laid and ballasted double track; the city added fencing. ine new trails

Story and photos by Bob Johnston

company chose to begin oper- includes free beverages and pitality stafs work to make months ater construction be- ations before completing its snacks, rather than $10 for Fortress Investment Group’s gins north of West Palm Beach ambitiously scaled MiamiCen- two-and-two seating in $3.1-billion transportation and later this year. tral station this spring. Only 54 “Smart” class. A pricing change real estate investment pay of. he following pages look at passengers were aboard, but 34 soon followed: weekend mid- Stakes will rise with expansion key aspects of a groundbreak- opted to pay an introductory day Select fares rose to $20. to Miami and, eventually, to ing product that could redeine fare of $15 for two-and-one Expect such ine-tuning as Orlando International Airport passenger rail practices for seating in “Select” class, which Brightline’s operations and hos- — projected to see service 30 decades to come. Expanded trackage through West Palm Beach helps Florida East Coast freight and Brightline coexist peacefully. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn

A new dispatching concept

The ghost of Florida East passenger investment.” Brightline pauses its interim senior oicers from All Aboard Coast Railway founder Henry he company set up in weekday schedule in the early Florida, Brightline, and FEC, get Flagler must be smiling from FEC’s former dispatching of- aternoon and late evening. together to approve schedule his ringside seat at Florida Dis- ice, tucked in a corner of the his gives FEC trains 101, 202, changes by either operator and patchCo. he company, jointly railroad’s Bowden Yard south of 222, 292, and the local switch resolve conlicts to achieve mu- owned by Fortress Investment Jacksonville, Fla. Westbrook job unfettered access to the tually acceptable results. Group subsidiary All Aboard hired experienced staf, work- railroad while ensuring passen- “If certain levels of on-time Florida and FEC, was specii- ing to maintain the scheduled ger punctuality. Once all proj- performance are not met, cally created to independently freight carrier’s high average ects are complete, those sched- either party has the opportuni- dispatch the shared tracks. velocity and low dwell time uling gaps will disappear. ty to demand help — and “My mandate as general while introducing hourly pas- DispatchCo’s Shared Services there’s a deined process as to manager is very clear: dispatch senger trains into the mix. Committee, comprised of four how that goes about,” West- the railroad as a network, with Round-the-clock chief dis- brook says. “he freight and passengers having priority,” Jay patchers preside over three passenger folks each set their Westbrook tells Trains at the desks whose territories will parameters and it’s our job to new company’s oices in late likely be adjusted to balance the produce. hey’ve given us the January. he 33-year CSX workload as Brightline expands infrastructure to do that; the Transportation veteran led the south to Miami, then north of rest is all communication freight railroad’s passenger team West Palm Beach to Orlando. and coordination.” from December 2002 until his “It seems we have ive Fer- So far, the results are retirement there in 2017, man- raris [the 8,800-hp, four-car impressive, according to aging relationships with com- Brightline trainsets] mixing in Brightline Chief Transportation muter authorities and Amtrak. with a bunch of semitrucks Oicer Olivier Picq. Former FEC President Jim down there,” jokes Westbrook, “We didn’t know what to Hertwig recruited Westbrook “but the key is that we have expect, but ater two weeks of ater Fortress developed the idea double track with universal revenue service beginning of an independent dispatching crossovers every 8 to 10 miles. Jan. 13, our trains achieved 95 entity before it spun of FEC to It really makes the network percent on-time performance, Grupo Mexico last year. quite lexible.” with most of the 40-minute “No matter which way the Because three sets of cross- scheduled running times com- wind blows,” he says, “[Fortress overs between West Palm DispatchCo chief dispatcher pleted in 35 to 38 minutes,” has] put in place a recipe for Beach and Fort Lauderdale Jesse Angier (left), Jay Picq says on a tour of Bright- success with regard to its have yet to be fully installed, Westbrook, and Flagler’s chair. line’s Operations Control

54 Trains JUNE 2018 Brightline’s route Introductory Brightline route Miami-Fort Lauderdale service planned for spring 2018 Future service Tri-Rail/Amtrak Brightline stations N Tri-Rail stations Other cities (no Brightline stops planned)

Sebastian FLORIDA

Fort Pierce Brightline operator Mel Byrd Single-track (left) and director Mike Lefevre lift bridge St. Lucie River strategize at Miami’s “OCC.” Stuart Lift bridge (second track to Center, on a high loor of a Loxahatchee River be added) new oice building next to Jupiter CSX/Amtrak to Orlando, Brightline MiamiCentral station. (As with running Tampa, and Jacksonville repair other aspects of its operations, Mangonia Park facility including train names, the Lake Worth West Palm company styles MiamiCentral Boynton Beach Beach Delray Beach as one word.) Boca Raton he “OCC,” as director Mike Deerﬁeld Beach Pompano Beach Lefevre refers to it, is set up to Fort Lauderdale Lift bridge (2 tracks) handle all data sharing, com- Fort Lauderdale Airport Fort Lauderdale munications, and train-man- Hollywood Planned Tri-Rail agement activities that would Metrorail connection North Miami At DispatchCo’s former FEC facility on Jan. 26, 2018, dispatchers Transfer otherwise distract the Dispatch- Station Port of Miami Co desk crew from full atten- Justin Pettyjohn (left) and Katie Hobbs handle two of the three Miami Miami Central tion to train movements. Yet desks governing operations between Jacksonville and Miami. International Airport Miami-based personnel watch Note: Tri-Rail commuter trains the same screens. hey regularly need them, building a second missions from the platforms. are expected to join Brightline in serving Miami Central station trade questions and suggestions track, and not creating choke Personnel also are tasked at a future date. with Jacksonville dispatchers, points. We did it right from the with trainset and crew assign- based on their knowledge of beginning and have the people ments in conjunction with the what may be happening on the who are making it work.” “Workshop B” maintenance fa- passenger side, such as an un- Brightline’s center also cility. While watching screens foreseen departure delay. monitors GPS train tracking, that showed the 3 p.m. train “We focus on network luid- useful in pinpointing exact cleared by DispatchCo to depart In the next room, Bright- ity,” says Lefevre. “What helps locations should a disrupting from West Palm, Byrd got a call line marketing personnel con- our trains move faster helps the incident occur at one of the saying that mechanical was tinuously monitor ticketing freight trains move faster too, more than 180 highway grade changing the 4 p.m. departure’s systems and social-media cus- and all of us really get that. I’ve crossings between Miami and trainset from BrightGreen to tomer feedback to ensure close not just been surprised by how West Palm Beach. One of the BrightOrange. Opening up the coordination with the opera- well this works, but really operators, Mel Byrd, worked in center’s operations dashboard tions side. his enables thrilled.” Like Westbrook, he 911 irst-response communica- tool, he reprogrammed trains Lefevre’s staf to plan trainset emphasizes that the dialogue tions for the Aventura, Fla., Po- for the rest of the day so crews, capacity requirements for days and stellar performance “starts lice Department, so he is at station displays, and every pas- and weeks into the future. with not cutting corners, with home with TV screens picking senger’s smartphone Brightline Ready for service to Miami? putting crossovers where you up safety and security trans- app relected the change. You bet.

www.TrainsMag.com 55 An evening train arrives at West Palm Beach on Feb. 1, 2018. Passengers board from the roomy, glass-enclosed concourse above the tracks.

Pleasing passengers

How do you make travel in Select, both are comfortable gular theme that is comfortable layer of security: carry-on special? If there is one goal in upright and reclining posi- and functional. he completed items are screened in X-ray running through Brightline’s tions. Seatback tray tables have West Palm Beach and Fort machines but there is no “pat- plans — from train and station a unique, beverage-only com- Lauderdale stations also have a ting down” of patrons, though design to execution by its ener- ponent, in case that’s all the children’s play area plus a passengers are required to sup- getic staf — it is addressing that passenger needs. “Good to Go” snack bar with ply birthdates the irst time a question. he company’s Rutkowski says the process sandwiches, snacks, and bever- ticketing proile is created. commitment is to counteract is being duplicated in design- ages. As on the trains, food and All of these elements are pervasive traic-congestion ing lounge space in a café car, drink are complimentary for being replicated in the massive frustrations, cramped seating, to be added to trains when Select and available for pur- MiamiCentral station project, and cattle-call treatment that service expands to Orlando. chase in Smart class. One sur- still under construction in late alict other means of getting “We’re looking at ideas, but prising addition is an extra January when Trains visited. from one place to another. It haven’t inalized any of these started with the collaboration of yet,” he says. hose trainsets Siemens and Brightline person- are tentatively set to have four nel in designing the coaches. Smart coaches, two Select cars, “We went to Siemens with a and the café car, but early cus- concept of what we’d like to tomer returns seem to indicate see,” recalls Chief Mechanical a preference for the two-and- Oicer Tom Rutkowski, part of one seating in Select. Once a team of idealistic, experienced service to Miami begins, railroad veterans from NJ Tran- Brightline will tinker with the sit, CSX, and international pas- pricing mix to determine de- senger operations recruited by mand elasticity in each class. now-retired Senior Vice Presi- he passenger-friendly de- dent of Rail Operations Gene sign philosophy extends to sta- Skoropowski. Most design tions. Ticketing kiosks and work was done by the end of baggage check-in of street- 2014, with constant reinement level entrances transition up through the prototype stage. sweeping escalators to loor-to- hough two-and-two conig- ceiling glass. Separate waiting Select-class travelers enjoy two-and-one seating and wide aisles on ured Smart seats are 19 inches areas for Smart and Select pa- the 3:55 p.m. departure from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach wide, compared with 21 inches trons play of of a stylish trian- on Feb. 1, 2018. A cart attendant will soon offer snacks and drinks.

56 Trains JUNE 2018 As seen on Feb. 2, 2018, the sign at left hints at the interior look of the blocks-long MiamiCentral complex. The multimodal transit and neighborhood hub will host restaurants and shops. he blocks-long building is de- phone app. Seating diagrams signed to be a hub of commer- show direction of travel, where cial, retail, and residential de- booths or tables are available, velopment. Fortress is erecting and designate window and the facility in a previously aisle seating. underdeveloped area near the • Boarding locations are original location of Florida clearly indicated on platforms. East Coast’s passenger station. Passengers know where their car It is located at the conluence is, because the location is indi- of the Metrorail transit system cated on the ticket. and downtown Metromover • At-seat charging outlets Workers complete MiamiCentral track construction on Jan. 31, people mover, and will also and USB ports. In addition to 2018. The new elevated approach is visible in the background. host Tri-Rail commuter trains. sockets next to each seat, there Unconstrained by draw- are pop-up receptacles on tables. backs of decades-old technolo- • Adjustable lighting. On an gy, Brightline was able to evening run, overhead LED innovate on many fronts: strips were dimmed to allow • Wheelchair-accommo- outside viewing. It wouldn’t be a dating, 36-inch-wide outer stretch to turn it of completely doorways, and 32-inch-wide to create a “dark car” with mini- aisles and vestibules. he en- mal illumination, augmented by tire train is accessible to travel- overhead reading lights con- ers with disabilities. trolled by the passenger. • “Gap illers,” car-based When the revenue-service bridge plates which automati- debut was announced two days cally deploy once the train before the Jan. 13 launch, the stops. hey permit full-length ticketing system crashed and loor-level boarding while al- the smartphone app was un- lowing FEC freight trains to available. hose issues were re- clear the high-level platforms. solved through the following • Booth seating in each car. week and technical reinements Clear dividers in Smart class have been ongoing since then. limit sound transfer and can be Brightline soon plans to team inserted or withdrawn depend- up with a rideshare partner, ing on demand. using both app platforms to • Reserved seats selected by help create seamless door-to- Brightline’s “gap ﬁller” bridge plates extend from the wide doorways the passenger via the ticketing door trips. Miami Beach — once trains stop and facilitate full-length, ﬂoor-level boarding; website or the Brightline smart- here we come! platform signage guides passengers to their reserved seats.

www.TrainsMag.com 57 Lunch patrons at Johnny Brown’s Pub along busy Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach barely react to a test train ﬂying past on Jan. 10, 2018.

Facing challenges

Brightline began service routinely stopped on tracks in ger train limits to 79 mph on tense discussion about wheth- between West Palm Beach and busy downtown areas or to wait about 80 percent of the route. er planned horn-free “quiet Fort Lauderdale to test its as- for traic signals on nearby Despite pervasive Brightline zones” — which Brightline sumptions in designing new Dixie Highway, which oten signage, three trespassers lost had said would be operational service on a railroad that hadn’t runs parallel to and less than their lives ater ignoring warn- before service began — seen a scheduled passenger train 100 feet from the FEC. (Trains ing devices in the week revenue should, in fact, be installed. since 1968. he early launch observed this behavior regular- service debuted, thus afecting Roadway construction issues provided a chance to address ly in January before and ater the media narrative at a crucial and the Federal Railroad Ad- bugs before the real “showtime,” revenue service began.) his time. Evidence, which included ministration inspection certii- when the downtown Miami in- was not a major issue when the cab video released by the Boyn- cation process caused the de- termodal terminal is ready. less-frequent freight trains usu- ton Beach Police Department lays, but debate continues, In that preliminary service, ally lumbered along at 40 mph. of an oblivious bicycle rider, with residents who want relief the company encountered sig- With the enhanced infrastruc- clearly showed warning devices from blaring horns on one niicant hurdles — some ex- ture, freight train speeds were working as intended. side and safety advocates on pected, some not. And there jumped to 60 mph and passen- he incidents prompted in- the other. Meanwhile, Bright- will be more.

Trespasser tragedies Extensive community out- reach was necessary to add a second track and speedy trains to Florida East Coast’s mostly single-track system. It began in earnest as highway crossings were closed to modify warning devices and pavement, but intensiied once passenger trains began plying the new route. For years, residents had used the right-of-way as a convenient walking path to get from their neighborhoods to Robust warning devices coordinated with trafﬁc signals on adjacent Dixie Highway at this Oakland friends’ houses or stores. Autos Park, Fla., crossing have been recently augmented with additional electric signage.

58 Trains JUNE 2018 Changing behavior was anticipated to be a signiﬁcant challenge, so Brightline proactively erected signs reminding pedestrians of new double track (top left), and warning trespassers (lower left). West Palm Beach added sidewalk signage (above). Lower left, TRAINS: Jim Wrinn line beefed up awareness by rebuke from the Association of Florida Department of Trans- in the process of raising both installing additional electric American Railroads and other portation review of all grade debt and equity.” signage at major crossings, and rail-related organizations, crossings. he state is also look- Investors are interested. he West Palm Beach’s mayor had objecting to its tacit approval ing at 27 highway crossings Wall Street Journal reported city workers paint “hink of trespassing. Members of north of West Palm Beach that the phase one bond sale Train” Operation Lifesaver Hanlon’s group have helped identiied by the FRA as having was oversubscribed by $2 bil- warnings on city sidewalks. convince county commissioners a skewed design, which might lion. Brightline has also pur- to spend almost $7 million of require additional safety mea- sued Railroad Rehabilitation Opponents’ response taxpayer funds since 2014 to sures once double-track con- and Improvement loans. Gen- Although passenger trains throw legal and legislative road- struction begins. And a boat erally, though, it has relied on speed through communities blocks at Brightline. owner reports that the U.S. self-inancing through Fortress across the U.S., the trespasser Stuart/Martin County Coast Guard is now conducting Industries’ credit lines, antici- deaths triggered a call for an- Chamber of Commerce Presi- a navigation feasibility survey pating future returns not just other round of investigations dent and CEO Joe Catrambone for users who must contend from fares, but from expected by anti-Brightline advocacy says wealthy retirees believe fre- with St. Lucie and Loxahatchee commercial rents generated by organizations and individuals quent trains will lower the value River drawbridge openings. buildings being erected near based in “Treasure Coast” com- of real estate investments, ow- the stations. his inancing munities in Martin and ing to more frequent railroad Financing growth aspect sets the massive project Indian River counties, north of bridge openings. “So they seize So far, Brightline has navi- apart from other intercity pas- West Palm Beach. Orlando- on these safety issues: kids try- gated the environmental and senger rail initiatives that are bound trains would travel ing to cross the tracks, people permitting labyrinth required to forced to rely on scarce non- through those towns at 110 trying to beat the train — all of build stations and enhanced rail highway public funding. mph without stopping. the negativity they can muster,” infrastructure. With Brightline trainsets “We need safety measures, he tells Trains. “It is ridiculous. “We successfully sold $600 soon calling on downtown which will protect children who My position is that train is not million of private activity Miami, potential investors will may walk or bike along the going to afect us one iota ... We bonds for phase one in 2017,” be watching patronage and tracks to school,” warned Brent won’t even notice it.” says Brightline President and cash low, which will certainly Hanlon, Chairman of Citizens he incidents did prompt Chief Operating Oicer Patrick have either a positive or nega- Against Rail Expansion in Flor- Miami-Dade County Mayor Goddard, adding, “For [the Or- tive efect on inancing terms ida. His statement drew a sharp Carlos Gimenez to request a lando extension] we’re actively the company can negotiate.

www.TrainsMag.com 59 Orlando airport’s car, bus, and rideshare area (left), glass terminal building (at rear), and Brightline platform wait for tracks on Jan. 30, 2018.

To Orlando, and beyond

Imagine walking into a Trains tour of the Orlando sta- through thick vegetation and and domestic visitors. Also in- cathedral. hat’s the impression tion in late January. At Cocoa, ill miles of swampy terrain be- cluded are provisions for light travelers get when they exit plans call for the route to sweep fore ballast and rails are laid. rail and a SunRail commuter Orlando International Airport’s back under the highway and he airport station is another train spur into the airport, automated people mover at the head south again to join FEC’s matter. he Greater Orlando though platforms won’t be built Intermodal Terminal Facility Jacksonville-Miami main. Aviation Authority constructed until funding is secured. And station, adjacent to parking hough mostly straight, the rail terminal as part of a adjoining Terminal C will host garage C on the south end of building this sealed 125-mph $3.5-billion package to increase more planes; its construction the sprawling campus. he ga- corridor won’t be easy. Con- capacity and enhance the po- has just begun and will not be rage and people-mover portion struction crews must hack tential to attract international completed until 2020. of the station recently opened to accommodate overlow demand from the North Terminal, which struggles to handle 44 million passengers annually in a facility built to process 24 million. Adjacent to the people mover’s platforms are those of a nearly inished station that eventually will host Brightline trains from South Florida. What’s missing? Tracks. “Once installed, they will run north next to the people mover, passing on the east side of the airport to reach state Route 528, the Beachline Ex- pressway, then head east about 35 miles on the south side of that road to Cocoa, Fla.,” explains Mike Cegelis, Brightline’s executive vice president of in- Beyond the future Brightline platforms and their canopy, a people-mover vehicle heads toward the frastructure development, on a intermodal terminal. The North Terminal’s “beehive” air trafﬁc control tower looms in the distance.

60 Trains JUNE 2018 A test train pulls out of Workshop B on Jan. 11, 2018. The four other trainsets wait on the ready tracks at left. Getting maintenance right

Until service extends to Orlando, all overnight maintenance work is performed at Brightline’s “Workshop B,” about a mile north of the West Palm Beach station. There, Chief Mechanical Officer Tom Looking south, a construction vehicle crosses a completed bridge Rutkowski demonstrates how monitoring systems help detect that will carry Brightline trains to their new maintenance facility. potential problems and keep the trainsets moving. “Anything that’s a fault in one of the cars or locomotives comes up on that screen, and we’re often able to know about and respond to any issues often before the onboard crew does,” he says. Literally thousands of sensors on cars and locomotive constantly feed data back to West Palm Beach, even indicating when a passenger pushes back on a closing restroom door. “Suppose someone plugs a hair dryer into one of the at-seat 110-volt receptacles and blows a circuit,” Rutkowski says. “We learn what happened immediately; the onboard crew hears a discreet chime and knows to check a panel to see what the issue is. Meanwhile, the system generates a service request.” The system is so The entrance to Brightline’s station inside the Intermodal Terminal sophisticated that it automatically Chief Mechanical Officer will be located at left, off of the now-open main concourse. orders the needed parts when a Tom Rutkowski explains work order is placed. how each trainset’s health Brightline has installed plat- remains — much of it in the Out on the ready tracks, two is monitored on displays at form improvements such as median of Interstate 4, built days before revenue service Workshop B. lighting and yellow tactile strips, wide enough to accommodate begins on Jan. 13, all five trainsets which were necessary for the a double-track railroad. are waiting for their next assignment. On BrightPink, preparing to building to get a certiicate of Brightline oicials are reti- leave on a test run, both Siemens Charger locomotives are idling, occupancy. he company pays cent to speculate on future “but where’s the exhaust?” Rutkowski asks rhetorically. “You don’t rent in an arrangement similar plans or be held to speciic see it because [thanks to the Tier 4 emissions process] there are to what airlines are charged. dates, lest complications arise, just shadows of steam.” — Bob Johnston Before any trains roll in, such as those which delayed Brightline needs to build a ser- implementation of quiet zones vicing facility and tracks to ac- in Palm Beach County or com- cess it about a mile south of the pletion of the massive Miami Jacksonville, along existing train ... against the contrast of airport station. A construction station complex. Yet expansion Florida East Coast trackage — what they are used to — unpre- oice has been set up in the to Tampa ater Orlando is con- wouldn’t either. dictable travel times, stress, and terminal to manage all aspects sistent with comments by For- Edens sold Fortress to Japan- frustration — constantly re- of the Orlando extension. tress Investment Group founder based SotBank for $3.3 billion mark about the stark juxtaposi- he footprint the company’s Wes Edens at Brightline dedica- in December 2017, but presum- tion of those two scenarios.” tracks will use to reach the station ceremonies in Fort Lauder- ably had the buyer’s vote of con- Moving forward, the strate- tion was originally intended for dale on Jan. 12: “Our goal is to idence when telling the Fort gy is to develop a relationship the 180-mph Tampa-Orlando look at other U.S. corridors Lauderdale crowd, “he at- with a rideshare partner, “that rail project, which was to be with similar characteristics: too grade railroad we have here is will prompt travelers to reach federally funded from Presi- far to drive and too short to ly.” commercially viable, privately for their smartphone instead of dent Barack Obama’s $787-bil- He mentioned Atlanta to inanceable, and something that car keys, while surprising them lion stimulus package in 2009. Charlotte, N.C., and some city could change the fabric of trans- with new and innovative ways hat plan died when Florida pairs in Texas, but those options portation in America.” of improving the experience,” Gov. Rick Scott rejected the would likely face roadblocks With Brightline’s irst few Goddard tells Trains. federal funding. Yet the route from rail right-of-way owners. operating months under its belt, As Brightline expands to to Tampa from the airport Miami-Orlando didn’t require president Goddard says, pas- Miami and Orlando, we’ll those negotiations, and expan- sengers “who actually experi- soon see how this potential >> For a video tour of sion to Tampa — or eventually ence the feeling of being on the will be realized. 2 Brightline’s ‘Workshop B’ servicing facility, go to www.TrainsMag.com www.TrainsMag.com 61 PRESERVATION BY JIM WRINN Santa Fe 4-8-4 almost ready Albuquerque-based No. 2926 will soon join the ranks of the restored

With an army of workers busy on several fronts, Santa Fe No. 2926 gets its builders plates back on March 17. Two photos, TRAINS: Jim Wrinn

Under a bright St. Pat- box, which proudly proclaim Fe baggage No. 3939 and was converted to maintenance-of- rick’s Day sun, an army of this, one of the heaviest 4-8-4s built by Pullman Standard in way car No. 17075. volunteers crowds around the ever built at 974,850 pounds for 1965 for general service on Rick Kirby, chief mechanical subject of their attention, Atchi- both engine and tender, to be a Santa Fe trains. It was part of oicer of the society, says the son, Topeka & Santa Fe 4-8-4 product of Baldwin Locomo- an order for 25 baggage cars tool car is being restored in No. 2926. Gleaming with gloss tive Works in March 1944, placed in December 1963 and Ohio at a cost of $150,000. he black paint and with a card- serial number 69814. delivered as shells in December society launched a GoFundMe board shamrock dangling from he addition of the plates 1965. he cars were completed campaign and as of April 1 has the front headlight, they climb also signals an eagerly awaited by AT&SF at its Topeka (Kan.) raised a little more than steps to the cab lettered milestone in the 18-year jour- Shops between 1965 and 1966. $119,000 so far. “AT&SF” under the window to ney to restore this Southwest- he car went to Amtrak in To help, visit www.gofund work on the myriad piping and ern mainline steam super star: 1971 as No. 1080 and later was me.com/SantaFe2926/donate. controls necessary to control A test ire of the burner this massive locomotive. apparatus will happen this Huddled under a tent to spring, and possibly may have protect them from the inces- already happened by the time sant sun, they hammer out tat- you read this. tered remains of sheet metal to he next step: inal reassem- use as forms for new jacketing. bly and testing. hey ire up a kiln, melt scrap, he $2.5-million project and pour brass to make new that has consumed more than parts. hey test the apparatus 150,000 volunteer hours still that lits the smokestack for has more hurdles ahead — no- better drating and less smoke tably the conversion of a bag- — a hallmark of big Santa Fe gage car into a tool car — but mainline steam power. the day when this Northern is Symbolically, they attach ready for mainline action is round builders tantalizingly close. A NEW ERA FOR OLD POWER plates to the smoke- he tool car is former Santa At the work site in Albuquerque, N.M., volunteers swarm Santa Fe No. 2926, continuing efforts to prepare the 4-8-4 to run again. >> Big Steam is Back Our special issue and DVD offer more! www.KalmbachHobbyStore.com/TR2BigSteam >> PRESERVATION BRIEFS ‘Santa Fe’ cab units roll again in Texas

The Mount Washington

thecog.com

The Galveston Railroad Museum, in conjunction with BNSF Railway and Amtrak, ran an 80-mile, round-trip special excursion dubbed the “Texas Chief” from Galveston to Pearland, Texas, behind the museum’s pair of Santa Fe Warbonnet-painted ex- A NATIONAL Southern Paciﬁc F7s Nos. 315 and HISTORIC ENGINEERING 316 on March 10, 2018. Running on LANDMARK former Santa Fe trackage, the Fs are seen passing one of the few remaining Santa Fe-era searchlight signals BASE STATION RD, MARSHFIELD STATION, NH along the Galveston Subdivision at Alvin, which are not long for this ( 3 HRS NORTH OF BOSTON, IN BRETTON WOODS, NH) world as PTC continues to modernize BOOK IN ADVANCE 603.278.5404 THECOG.COM signals across the nation. Jordan Hood

Tour Bailey Yard

Watch the service rack in action

Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Duluth & Northeastern 2-8-0 No. 28 will see wheel work before returning to service for the 2018 season. An inspection last winter revealed that See a new view both tires on the number three driving of the main line axle are not in proper position. The museum wants to reposition the tires prior to this year’s steam operating season. No. 28 is scheduled to oper- Sept 21-23rd ate beginning in August and going into the fall. The locomotive was returned to service in 2017 following a Hear the 7-year overhaul. American Locomo- NorthPlatteRailDays.com retarders up tive Co.’s Pittsburgh Works built the close & personal engine in 1906 for the Duluth, Missa- be & Northern as No. 332. It was op- erated by DM&N successor Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range until 1955, Trains when it was sold to shortline Duluth & Back Issues Northeastern based in Cloquet, Minn., INDUSTRY NEWS • MAPS • PERSONAL STORIES which renumbered it 28. The locomotive remained in service on D&NE until 1964. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Shop Now >>

www.TrainsMag.com 63 HOT SPOTS BY MICHAEL D. HARDING Not your average bean town he onetime home of Lima Locomotive Works still ofers much variety

LOCATION: At one time Lima, Ohio, was a big name in railroading as the home of Lima Locomotive Works, the birthplace of Shays and “Super Power” steam locomotives. Popular excursion locomotives such as 2-8-4s Nickel Plate Road No. 765 and Pere Marquette No. 1225 were both Lima-built. Despite the loss of locomotive manufacturing, Lima is still a railroad town served by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and three short lines.

TRAIN-WATCHING: The center of rail activity in Lima is NS Tower, where the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern crosses the CSX Toledo Subdivision near downtown. A bar parking lot lies in the southeast corner of the diamond and makes for a safe and legal spot to stop and watch the action in town. Southbound CSX freight Q507 crosses the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern at NS Tower CSX’s Lima yard is just north of Robb Avenue. in downtown Lima. These new signals went up in 2017. Michael D. Harding CSX runs a variety of trains through Lima including intermodal, auto racks, mixed freight, I&O Sugar and several types of unit trains, totalling about 20 Street trains in 24 hours. Yard The Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern main line CSX Robb CSX Avenue Yard NS 75 bisects Lima, and the railroad’s yard is on the west side of town. CF&E runs a local to serve Robb Avenue I&O industries west of town and a local east to 65 Metcalf Street interchange with the other railroads in town. West Street

Findlay Road Norfolk Southern has rights on the CF&E and

CF&E Cole Street Yard Street Sugar 81 may run up to several through trains per day. NS also serves Lima with a daily train on its CF&E own rails from the northeast, joining CSX just 309

Jameson Avenue NS Tower CF&E north of NS Tower. NS runs over CSX to access

Jackson Street a yard on the south side of town. R.J. Corman North Street 81 309 enters the NS yard from the west. Allen County Indiana & Ohio runs north and south, with a Museum Lincoln yard off Sugar Street on the northeast side of Elm Street Park 117 Bellefontaine Avenue town. Its mainline crosses the NS Lima District

Pine Street on a diamond alongside Sugar Street and then Shore Drive Elizabeth Street Metcalf Street

Main Street crosses the CF&E on another diamond alongside 309 Sugar Street, although that section is more 117 industrial access road than public street. The I&O runs a Lima North Local and a Lima South Local RJC Abandoned that generally run in daylight. NS yard St. Johns Avenue Former Lima I&O RADIO FREQUENCIES: Locomotive CSX road, 160.230; CSX dispatcher, Works site 4th Street

LIMA, OHIO 160.290; CF&E, 161.175; I&O road, 161.220; Lima, Ohio I&O yard, 160.430; NS, 161.250; R.J. Corman, 160.455. NS CSX CSX Transportation CF&E Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern I&O Indiana & Ohio FOR YOUR FAMILY: Close to RJC Dixie Highway NS Norfolk Southern downtown, Lincoln Park contains a RJC R.J. Corman CSX N Abandoned (former Erie-Lackawanna) covered display of railroad equipment including former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 779, built in 0 Scale 1 mile 65 © 2018 Kalmbach Publishing Co., TRAINS: Rick Johnson 75 Lima in 1949, retired in 1958, and on display at that site since 1966. Also nearby is the Allen County Museum, which features a 1925 Shay.

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On a rainy morning in Stuart, Fla., Florida East Coast train No. 123 glides over the St. Lucie River. Drew Halverson

Short-haul intermodal is a forte of the Florida East Coast Railway. As the Bill Stephens feature in this issue reveals, FEC uses the combined strengths of containers, trailers, and truckers to spin up proﬁtable trafﬁc. You can easily enjoy video of these and other FEC trains rolling through South Florida — but only if you’re a Whitewater Valley Railroad subscriber to MR Video Plus. That’s Indiana’s Most Scenic Railroad where you can follow Drew Halverson, host of the “Drew’s Trackside Adventures” series, and his crew of Special Events and Excursions Throughout The Year railfans chasing down the FEC. Preview the action in Drew’s Trackside Adventures: Episode 24 – Florida East Coast revisited by going to www.MRVideoPlus.com/DTA24

SUBSCRIBE TO MODEL RAILROADER VIDEO PLUS! Not just for modelers! Embrace the Home to the Only Operating 765-825-2054 heavy-duty railroad content. With LIMA-Hamilton Diesel, 455 Market Street your subscription to Model Railroader EX Cincinnati Union Terminal #25 Connersville, IN 46130 Video Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive high-deﬁnition videos www.whitewatervalleyrr.org covering tons of railroad-related topics. Sign up now at www.MRVideoPlus.com/27deal ASK TRAINS

At left, a former Santa Fe SD75M once assigned to Commerce Yard in Southern California leads a westbound BNSF train at Kansas City, Mo. At right, note circled “COMMERCE” lettering on a former Burlington Northern SD60M. Left, Chris Guss; right, Tom Danneman I notice that former Burlington Northern EMD SD60Ms and former Santa Fe QEMD SD75Ms have the lettering “COMMERCE” next to the locomotive model on the side of the engine. What did the lettering mean? — R. Hahn, San Dimas, Calif.

“COMMERCE” is the name of a tives in the area. Shortly ater it opened, open shop space for more than 200 ABNSF Railway locomotive shop in BNSF reassigned all 102 former Santa Fe General Electric C44-9W units to be Southern California that the unit was as- SD75Ms and 50 of the former Burlington assigned to Commerce. signed to for maintenance. Opened in Northern SD60Ms to Commerce for main- he practice of labeling locomotive the late 1990s, the shop replaced the for- tenance. his assignment would be short- shop assignments on the engines has mer Santa Fe Los Angeles diesel shop for lived, as the railroad would shit the EMDs largely been abandoned by all Class I servicing and maintenance of locomo- from the facility beginning in late 2002 to railroads since then. — Chris Guss

that saw infrequent use, the crews would decide if the turntable could be moved or if it was blocked by snow. If the turntable was blocked, crews could try and free it by using steam from the locomotive to clear it, or they would simply not turn the power until the snow melted. Some turntables in heavy-snow regions were planked over so that snow could not accumulate in the pit. he planked sections would rotate with the turntable. Other turntables had steam-heated water pumped into the pits in winter to keep a bed of warm water on the bottom of the pit. he snow would melt when it landed on the warm water, thus keeping the turntable free to rotate. Snow that would accumulate on The fruits of manual labor are evident at the Hobart Estates roundhouse at Hobart Mills, the tracks leading into the roundhouse Calif., in 1913. Labor was comparatively cheap, so only the most snow-covered locations would be shoveled into the pit full of warm ever saw covered turntable pits or fully enclosed roundhouses. Martin E. Hansen collection water to get rid of the snow through the turntable drain system. How did railroads keep turntables depending on the facility and the amount In mountain regions where snowfall Qclear of snow during times of heavy of snowfall. In areas where snowfall was was heavy, the turntables were entirely snowfall? — Jonathan Eau Claire, fairly light and the turntable was in con- covered by the roof that also covered the Gaithersburg, Md. stant use, the frequent activity of the turn- roundhouse stalls. his was the case on table would generally be enough to keep the Southern Paciic at Truckee, Calif., Railroads had multiple methods of the turntable clear of snow by itself. If the and at Norden, Calif., on Donner Pass. Adealing with snow in turntable pits, turntable was at the end of a branch line — Martin E. Hansen

66 Trains JUNE 2018 P32915 TRACKSIDE the thrill is just aclick away! with aconductor’s switching challenge — take you for an epic train chase or face-to-face Even if you’ve only got afew minutes, we can close to real railroad action. railroads crews, MR Video Plus gets you locations or hitching aride with hardworking adventure! Whether it’s trekking to trackside of Business” series, every episode is arailroad “Charlie’s Trackside Postcards,” or “Taking Care When you watch “Drew’s Trackside Adventures,” Get with Started Video MR Plus for Just aYear! $27 And We’llAnd Take You Give Us 10 Minutes MRVideoPlus.com/27join Join Trains magazine and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Aug. 25–26, 2018 • Chama, N.M. for a once-in-a-lifetime event commemorating the Last Freight Train Across Cumbres Pass

Celebrate the living Rio Grande narrow gauge 50 years after the nal revenue freight run in August 1968. A great opportunity for railroad photographers and enthusiasts, this spectacular chartered freight train adventure features: DOUBLE-HEADED RIO GRANDE K-36 2-8-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVES • AUTHENTIC FREIGHT CONSISTING OF 20 CARS 128 MILES OF STEAM-POWERED TRAIN TRAVEL IN THE BEAUTIFUL SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS • HOT LUNCH BOTH DAYS MULTIPLE PHOTO RUNBYS • SPECIAL PRIME RIB DINNER AND SATURDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHT PHOTO SESSION Hurry! Space is limited and available on a rst come, rst served basis. For details and pricing visit cumbrestoltec.com/schedules-fares/special-events To make a reservation please call 888-286-2737 P32566 NEW EXCLUSIVELY FROM TRAINS Great Railroads Flashcards contain impressive facts, stunning photography, and thrilling trivia about your favorite railroads. The set includes: • 36 premium quality 4” x 6” cards, each showcasing a popular railroad. • Fun facts about each railroad: when it started, key places and people, big events, current status, and more. • Compelling photography.

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railroad here! railroad THE INN AT FOLKSTON B&B B&B FOLKSTON AT THE INN ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM ILLINOIS RAILWAY MONTICELLO RAILWAY MUSEUM RAILWAY MONTICELLO WHITEWATER VALLEY RAILROAD VALLEY WHITEWATER 992 Iron Horse Place — Monticello Illinois 61856 Place — Monticello Illinois Horse 992 Iron ABILENE & SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD ABILENE & SMOKY VALLEY HOOSIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM HOOSIER VALLEY 3576 Main Street (Formerly 509 West Main Street) Main 509 West (Formerly Street 3576 Main Contact Mike Yuhas at 888-558-1544 Ext. 625 Contact Mike Yuhas Advertise your tourist tourist your Advertise KANSAS Abilene GEORGIA Folkston GEORGIA INDIANA Connersville INDIANA North Judson ILLINOIS Monticello ILLINOIS Union ILLINOIS YOUR STATE YOUR STATE City Your Home of Nebraska Zephyr. Steam, diesel trains, electric Home of Nebraska Zephyr. cars. Send $5.00 for 32 page Guide Book; or #10 SASE with schedule & discount coupon. for color brochure Daily: operate Sat: May-Oct, Sun: Apr-Oct, Trains Lodging: Museum open Apr-Oct. Memorial Day-Labor Day. 847-695-7540 and 815-363-6177. Bed & Breakfast at The Folkston Funnel. A ive minute walk A ive minute Folkston Funnel. at The Bed & Breakfast double-track on CSXT’s platform train-viewing to covered FL. Hearty breakfasts,of Jacksonville, 40 miles N main line specials! watchers weekday beds. Train comfortable feather Audio at with CSX Scanner New Webcam From the junction of four former railroads, travel through rural farm travel through the junction of four former railroads, From the Kankakee River in vintage cabooses orcountry and across themed train rides, May – Oct &open-air cars. 10-mile round-trip rates. Guest Engineer Program. special events. Family and group admission to the museum. Static displays, operating signals andFree 9-4 central time. year-round, Open Saturdays railroadiana. www.hoosiervalley.org 574-896-3950 engine runs on the newly restored #3415 & private charters. engine runs on the newly restored Call for schedules & reservations. 888-426-6687 www.asvrr.org Ride the Rails of History. 11 mile round trip through the trip through 11 mile round Ride the Rails of History. dinner trains, steam Also offering Smoky Hill River Valley. www.InnAtFolkston.com www.InnAtFolkston.com 888-509-6246 Free Toll Special events Feb through Dec. Vintage diesels: Special events Feb through SD10, 1954 EMD/Milw. 1951 Lima-Ham 750HP SW, 1948 Alco S1. Gift Shop. 765-825-2054 www.whitewatervalleyrr.org www.irm.org most scenic railroad. time on Indiana’s through Travel Oct. trip to Metamora, May through 33-mile round Ride beautifully-restored diesel and steam trains every diesel and Ride beautifully-restored Steam using May thru October. and Sunday, Saturday Southernweekend a month. Sched- 2-8-0 No. 401 one Charter our business or ules and information at MRYM.org. train — for your group. dining cars — or a whole — Exhibit Cars. Picnic Grove I-72 at Exit 166. Bus Parking — by Lincoln Sites! Surrounded MRYM.org

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102 N. Palmer St. 17155 W. 44th Avenue 17155 W. 1-75 exit 136 at Colonial Blvd. Murder Mystery Dinner Train SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY RAILROAD RAILROAD Located at the “diamond” of the DIRECTORY COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM COLORADO “A” line and “S” line for CSX Railroad ATTRACTION ATTRACTION LEADVILLE COLORADO & SOUTHERN To advertise in this section, call Mike To Yuhas toll-free at 888-558-1544, Ext 625. 888-558-1544, Ext at toll-free Yuhas ROBERT W. WILLAFORD RAILROAD MUSEUM W. ROBERT FLORIDA Plant City FLORIDA Fort Myers COLORADO Golden COLORADO COLORADO Leadville www.willafordrailroadmuseum.com In the Historic 1909 Union Station Depot. Visit our fully Caboose and 1942 Whitcomb 1963 Seaboard restored 12:00 from switch engine. Museum is open Mon thru Wed 10:00 to 4:00. Platform to 4:00 and Thurs thru Sat from train viewing. every day for great is open 24 hours a day, Ethanol, TECO Coal, Juice Train, Tropicana CSX freight, daily arrivals Amtrak are available. 800-365-6263 ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org There’s something amazing about trains. The familiar whistle something There’s Experience it again with a vis- adventure. has always promised top 10 railroad Museum, one of the it to the Colorado Railroad collec- museums in the United States with one of the largest also rail yard equipment. The 15-acre tions of narrow-gauge library. facility and renowned restoration a roundhouse features rates and programs Group the year. rides throughout Train May 26 – June 15 1:00pm. June 16 – August 17 10:00am & 2:00pm. August 18 – October 7 weekdays 1:00pm, weekends 10:00am & 2:00pm. Spectacular trip travels into follows old C&Sthe high Rocky Mountains, the railroad pets allowed. depot. Family friendly, & 1893 restored roadbed our web site. info visit For more 1-866-386-3936 www.leadvillerailroad.com Enjoy a comical murder mystery show while our chef Enjoy a comical murder your ive course dinner with a choice of 3 entrees. prepares The Murder Mystery Dinner Train operates 5 nights a week all Mystery Dinner Train The Murder the Colonial Station (2805 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, year from packages with hotel stay available with FL 33966). Get-Away Seminole Gulf Railway. special pricing available only through www.semgulf.com

Visit forge ahead forge PTC update: PTC put this newput this Viewliner diners Viewliner railroad disaster railroad How one railroad one railroad How IN THE JULY ISSUE JULY IN THE Hole in the river = Hole in the river Best German hot spots technology to work to technology Tribute to ‘ordinary’ diesels ‘ordinary’ to Tribute ON SALE JUNE 12, 2018 ON SALE downloads, gear and downloads, Map: Baltimore & Ohio in 1934 Map: Baltimore Shop for books, DVDs, DVDs, Shop for books, other products related other products related to your favorite hobby. favorite to your KalmbachHobbyStore.com P27901 RAILROAD ATTRACTION DIRECTORY

70 www.BluegrassRailroad.com 800-755-2478 Weekends Maythrough October. Thoroughbred horsecountry. 90-minute trainridesthrough CentralKentucky www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org 410-547-0264 Noon-5 p.m. March-December; Saturdays andSundays,June-October. trip. Enjoydisplays,tours,museumstore. OpenSundays, Ride originalBaltimore streetcars ona1-1/4-mileround www.goldenspiketower.com 308-532-9920 each month Twilight Tours (openpastsunset)the3rd Saturday of Hours: Open9am-7pmdaily Located minutesoff ofI-80andHwy83 Thousands ofrailcarseveryday! Paciic’s BaileyYard, theworld’s largest classiicationyard. Eight storytoweroffering apanoramicviewoftheUnion www.kyrail.org 800-272-0152 featuring SnoopyandCharlieBrown. Thomas andthePumpkinPatchExpress children’s eventsuchasaDayOutWith Mystery Theater, Train Robberiesand Specialty trainsinclude:DinebyRail, everything forthetrainenthusiast. expert museumdocents.Thegiftstore has train. Take aguidedtourwithoneofour down anddiscoverthejoyoftravelingby excursion aboard L&N’s historicLebanonBranch.Slow ona22miletrain Small townAmericaatitsbest...Journey KENTUCKY Versailles MARYLAND Baltimore NEBRASKA NorthPlatte KENTUCKY NewHaven GOLDEN SPIKETOWER&VISITORCENTER

Trains Call 800-533-6644 or visit visit or 800-533-6644 Call BALTIMORE STREETCARMUSEUM T BLUEGRASS SCENICRAILROAD rains TrainsMag.com today! KENTUCKY RAILWAY MUSEUM Subscribe to

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www.madrivermuseum.org 419-483-2222 – weekendsonlyMay, Sept.andOct.Visitourwebsite. Open daily12–4pmMemorialDaythrough LaborDay www.watersedgeonline.com 440-967-9480 train museumsinnearbyBellevueandFostoria.Openallyear. day atVermilion’s railroad viewingstand,just4.5milesaway; for LakeErieElectricRailway(1901–32).Watch 100trainsa mile from busyNSChicagoLine.OnehomewasStop141 Stay inhistoriccottagesorcenturyhomesonLakeErie,1/2 www.durr.org available allalongthescenicEastBranchofDelaware River. Weekends alongwithotheruniqueevents,privatecharters We offer Train RobberyBarbeques,Spring&SeptemberSteam for operatingcalendar. excursion andvintagestreamliner trainrides,check ourwebsite Mountains from mid-MaytoearlyDecember, withbothour Travel withusthrough theNewYork State’s legendaryCatskill www.VisitThomasvilleNC.com 24/7 LiveTrain Cam Facebook:TVilleNC Annual RailFanDay-Saturday, November 3,2018 vintage shopping and muchmore. ing andrestrooms. Withinwalkingdistanceofrestaurants, 1870 passengerdepot,enjoytracksideviewing,free park- States, withmore than35trainsdaily. Visitanewly-restored its visitorswithsomeofthebesttrainwatchinginUnited Railway Washington-Atlanta mainline,Thomasvilledelights Ideally situatedonNorfolkSouthern’s busyex-Southern www.eaglecaptrainrides.com 800-323-7330 mounted bandits,Bigfoot Train oraphotography workshop. a standard Two Rivers,withlunch, ortheWine&CheeseTrain, Ronde andWallowa RiversinbeautifulNortheast Oregon. Choose Go where carscan’t takeyou!Followtheshores oftheGrande www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org 405-424-8222 or visitourwebsite. For info,birthdayparties&otherfunctionsgiveusacall round triponformerM-K-TmainlineinOkla.City. Oakwood Depotat9:15,11:15,1:15&3:15fora40min. April through August.Trains leavethe museum’s Open Thur., Fri.,Sat.,9:00-4:30.Rideson1st&3rd Sat. OKLAHOMA OklahomaCity OHIO Bellevue NORTH CAROLINA Thomasville NEW YORKArkville OREGON Elgin OHIO Vermilion All Aboard! historic railroad HISTORIC DOWNTOWNTHOMASVILLE,NC Route of the Rip Van Winkle Flyer theRipVan Winkle Route of MAD RIVER&NKPRAILROADSOCIETY Visitors Center44West MainStreet (I-85Exit103) a rideonour COTTAGES AT THEWATER’S EDGE DELAWARE &ULSTERRAILROAD OKLAHOMA RAILWAY MUSEUM EAGLE CAPEXCURSIONTRAIN Come for

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(845) 586-2929 336-472-4422 www.bridgeviewbnb.com updates, pictures andguestcomments. tour onourwebsiteandcheckusoutFacebookfordaily and atastybreakfast are includedwithyourstay. Take avirtual Comfortablerooms allwithprivatebaths,A/C,Wii, Country! Rockville Bridge! Plus,visitHershey, Gettysburg, andPA Dutch the SusquehannaRiver, BlueMountainsandtrainactionon From thespaciousdecksandsittingroom, youcanwatch entering orexitingEnolaYard passrightbyourfront porch. Trains mix andyouhavesomeamazinglashuppossibilities! Ferromex oftenleading,plusaddNSheritageunitsintothe KCS, CP, CN,CSXand power from BNSF, UP, exciting withmotive B&B hasbeenextremely around TheBridgeview Lately, trainwatching [email protected] www.railcrossroadstx.com is locatedonI-10halfwaybetweenHoustonandSanAntonio. locker istheRailPhotoPavilion,whichopen24/7.Flatonia No. 3andSPCaboose4743.West ofdowntownattheinter downtown isFlatoniaRailPark,whichfeatures historicTower Rail HistoryCenter, withartifacts,photosandmodeltrains.Also Flatonia isarailfan’s delight.DowntownistheCentralTexas www.febt.org 814-635-2388 1-4 Sundays.SpecialhoursinOctober. weekends, Maythrough September, 10-5Saturdays and operating terminus.Museumopenirstandthird Visit theEastBroad Top Railroad’s originalsouthern Admission. Opensevendaysaweek. & Silverware collection.O&H/OmodelLayouts.Free Parkingwith freight, passenger. Indoor&Outdoordisplays.Oneofthelargest China www.galvestonrrmuseum.com 409-765-5700 Pullman PassengerandSleepercarstheErie 3 oftheexisting4carsfrom theoldP&NRailway, plus www.greenwoodrrmuseum.com 864-229-7093 Sunday. May 12through October, orcallfortoursatanytimebut Lackawanna DiningCar#746.OpeneverySaturday 10-4, most beautifultrainrestorations intheSoutheast,including 1914 Executive‘Carolina’ car, youwillseesomeofthe From the 1906BaldwinSteamEngine,tothe TEXAS Flatonia PENNSYLVANIA Marysville PENNSYLVANIA Robertsdale TEXAS Galveston SOUTH CAROLINAGreenwood Journey BacktotheGoldenAgeofRailroads!Journey with a Railroad Attraction Directory with aRailroadAttractionDirectory Ride therailstoincreasedsales THE RAILROADHISTORICALCENTER FRIENDS OFTHEEASTBROADTOP GALVESTON RAILROADMUSEUM BRIDGEVIEW BED&BREAKFAST Call MikeYuhas Today! Approx. 5acres of50vintagerailcars, locomotives, One oftheLargest Railroad MuseumsinSouthwest. Former HeadquartersGulfColorado&SantaFeDepot 888-558-1544 Ext. 625 2602 SantaFePlaceGalveston,TX77550 FLATONIA RAILPARK ad in Home oftheSantaFeWarbonnets 908 SouthMainStreet 550 MainStreet 810 S.MainSt. Call today! Trains!

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Requiem For Steam:Requiem July 21 - Margarita & Taco Train & Taco Margarita - July 21 Pullman Porters: From Service Porters: From Pullman to 525 Oak Street 2285 S. Broadway 2285 S. E8948 Museum Road E8948 Museum N6639 Dilly Lake Road WAUPACA DEPOT WAUPACA America’s Only Moving America’s , and our new exhibit entitled new exhibit entitled , and our NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM MUSEUM RAILROAD NATIONAL BED & BREAKFAST DINNER TRAIN BED & BREAKFAST MID-CONTINENT RAILWAY MUSEUM RAILWAY MID-CONTINENT GET MORE of what you love with love what you of TrainsMag.com WISCONSIN GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD NORTHERN WISCONSIN GREAT WISCONSIN Trego WISCONSIN North Freedom North WISCONSIN WISCONSIN Waupaca WISCONSIN Green Bay Bay Green WISCONSIN June 30 & July 1 - Stars & - June 30 & July 1 The train departs Tuesday through Saturday evening Saturday through The train departs Tuesday a choice of The train features at 6 pm year round. or deluxe suites traditional Pullman double bedrooms Enjoy complimentary in our 1914 Pullman Private Car. in the lounge and then move to the hors d’oeuvres meal diner for a scrumptious 4-course chef prepared When the train returns to the kitchen. our onboard from tales station view the starlit sky while trading railroad on the patio. our gas ire with other passengers around Also, in the diner. buffet up to a hot breakfast Wake & Sightseeing Excursion. Family Pizza Train 715-635-3200 www.spoonertrainride.com Free museum admission, parking, and picnic area. Train rides Train parking, and picnic area. museum admission, Free for onboard required Reservations ticket purchase. require dining tickets. Upcoming events: Express Macaroni - July 21 BBQ Trains - June 16 & 17 Stripes Special 800-930-1385 www.midcontinent.org Train Italian Trio - Aug 25 Take a 55-minute, 7-mile round-trip ride over a former C&NW ride over a round-trip a 55-minute, 7-mile Take rural South-central Wisconsin. Ride in Branchline through or join the the caboose, aboard century-old coach cars, climb operate locomotive. Trains engineer in the cab of the diesel - Oct. 21 and daily June 2 - 8 weekends May 12-28 & Sept. per day. departures Sept. 3 with three stock, and locomotives, rolling collection of Mid-Continent’s the Midwesterndisplays focuses on Upper from railroads the displays and gift Browse II. War World through Civil War and view the the train yard, shop in the 1894 depot, explore housed inside the Coach Shed. restorations award-winning Visit the beautiful Chain O’Lakes and discover Waupaca’s Visit the beautiful Chain O’Lakes and discover Waupaca’s history! Step back in time and tour the historic Railroad Depot, The restored Depot, once the hub of Waupaca. a model train display and pieces built in 1907, features Depot hours: 12-5, history on the grounds. of railroad weekends and holidays Email: [email protected] 715-256-9980 www.waupacahistoricalsociety.org www.nationalrrmuseum.org 920-437-7623 www.nationalrrmuseum.org All Aboard! Explore the UP Big Boy, Eisenhower’s WWII Eisenhower’s Boy, the UP Big Explore All Aboard! train, the exhibit command Civil Rights The Railroad Photographs Of David Plowden. The Railroad Photographs train tail signs. – 40 illuminated passenger Drumhead collection Open year round.

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705 S. Main St. 705 S. Main 2002 Church Street 2002 Church - 1101 SW Sylvenus Street

1901 SOO LINE DEPOT ELKHORN INN & THEATER Grape- Route 52 (Between Eckman & Kimball) GRAPEVINE VINTAGE RAILROAD VINTAGE GRAPEVINE Featur- EAST TROY RAILROAD MUSEUM CHEHALIS CENTRALIA RAILROAD & MUSEUM CHEHALIS CENTRALIA WASHINGTON Chehalis WASHINGTON WISCONSIN Frederic WISCONSIN East Troy WEST VIRGINIA Landgraff TEXAS Grapevine TEXAS www.steamtrainride.com 360-748-9593 www.steamtrainride.com Steam train rides in 1920s coaches pulled by a 1916 Locomotive. Runs weekends May 26th thru August 26th and only Sep- Saturday tember 1st through infor- September 29th. For special events, more tickets, visit our website, mation, and to purchase steamtrainride.com. Follow us on Facebook! store and deli. Mix of classic trolley and interurban cars. Regular and deli. Mix of classic trolley store Sat-Sun only April & May. October. trains Fri-Sat-Sun June through or call 262.642.3263. at www.easttroyrr.org See schedules and more www.easttroyrr.org RAILFAN WEEKEND is June 23-24! All cars and equipment on RAILFAN depot to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago. Stop at Elegant Farmer Troy display. New Family-friendly activites. 14-mile round trip from East trip from New Family-friendly activites. 14-mile round display. Restored 1996 – Frederic Area Museum and State Area 1996 – Frederic Restored Rest Stop – Soo Line wide-vision caboose #137. Trail leaf season. Day through – Memorial Weekends 1-800-222-POLK www.fredericwi.com As seen on HGTV “Building Character” and “reZONED”! As seen on HGTV “Building Character” and “reZONED”! Newly restored “Coal Heritage Trail” Inn on NS Pocahontas Inn “Coal Heritage Trail” Newly restored Railview guest rooms, railway line in scenic, southern, WV. balcony and patio cafe. Call about our Railfan weekends. art, vintage quilts, claw-foot tubs, ireplace, 14 guest rooms, Meals available. Sat antiques & gift shop/museum room. internet. studio & Wi-Fi On Route 52, VCR, slide-viewer, TV, See our “railfan” pages on our Blueield WV/VA. 30 minutes from web site. Local phone: 304-862-2031 www.elkhorninnwv.com ing four enclosed ing four enclosed 1925 passen circa the year. special events throughout www.gvrr.com vine Vintage vine Vintage Railroad! two ger coaches, 1927 open-air circa coaches, Engine 1896 2248 – an this train is and a 1953 GP-7 diesel engine, steam engine - for Hop aboard family. for the entire the perfect excursion Depot Belt Railroad Cotton Grapevine’s trips from round as well as a series of Stockyards, Historic to Fort Worth’s Step back in time Step back the aboard CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISERS CABOOSE FOR SALE: Completely Restored. 517-523- Word Rate: per issue: 1 insertion — $1.57 per word, 6 2035, [email protected], Southern Michigan loca- The Advertiser Index is provided as a service to insertions — $1.47 per word, 12 insertions — $1.37 per word. $25.00 MINIMUM per ad. Payment must accompany ad. To tion. Call or E-mail for picture. $25,000. TRAINS magazine readers. The magazine is not receive the discount you must order and prepay for all ads at THE NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: helps responsible for omissions or for typographical one time. Count all initials, single numbers, groups of preserve railroad history. Please help us by joining or donat- errors in names or page numbers. numbers, names, address number, street number or name, ing to the NRHS. See us at NRHS.com city, state, zip, phone numbers each as one word. Example: Aldon Company ...... 11 Paul P. Potter, 2102 Paciﬁc St., Waukesha, WI 53202 would WANTED count as 9 words. Amsted Rail ...... 10 All Copy: Set in standard 6 point type. First several words ARE YOU GETTING THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR TRAIN only set in bold face. If possible, ads should be sent COLLECTION? Our list of discriminating buyers grows typewritten and categorized to ensure accuracy. Big E Productions ...... 9 each day. They want bigger and better train collections to CLOSING DATES: Jan. 2018 issue closes Oct. 25, Feb. choose from! We specialize in O Gauge trains- Lionel, MTH, closes Nov. 20, Mar. closes Dec. 21, Apr. closes Jan. 24, Borden Perlman ...... 5 May closes Feb. 21, June closes Mar. 21, July closes Apr. 25, K-Line, Williams, Weaver, 3rd Rail, etc. as well as better Aug. closes May 22, Sept. closes June 26, Oct. closes July trains in all scales. We also purchase store inventories. 25, Nov. closes Aug. 21, Dec. closes Sept. 26. Plus, we can auction your trains with rates starting as low Colorado Railroads 2018 Tour ...... 19 For TRAINS’ private records, please furnish: a telephone as 15%. We travel extensively all over the US. Give us a number and when using a P.O. Box in your ad, a street call today! 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RAIL SHOWS AND EVENTS Four Ways West ...... 14 LODGING MAY 5, 2018 Toledo, Ohio. 11th Annual National Train Day Golden Spike Tower ...... 63 celebration. 9:30am-4:00pm. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. GO BEYOND MODEL TRAINS Our B&B has antique Rolling stock, operating layouts, children’s train, speed- Pullman train cars as your guest suite. All cars with Great Railroads Flashcards ...... 68 er rides, vendors, historical and visionary exhibits. Free modern amenities. Central Minnesota, 800-328-6315, admission, free parking. [email protected] Facebook: www.whistlestopbedandbreakfast.com NationalTrainDayToledo Great Smoky Moutains Railroad...... 65 STATIONINNPA.COM 827 Front St., Cresson, PA. The Inn MAY 12, 2018 Model Train and Railroadiana Show at is 150 feet from the PRR Pittsburgh Main. We host hundreds the North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer NC. Greg Scholl Video Productions ...... 5, 14 of railfans yearly. Our website cams stream train activity Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm. 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72 Trains JUNE 2018 Gallery

23 Easy off, easy on

1 Eastside Freight Rail SW1200 No. 109 derailed in 2012 due to wide gauge in Woodinville, Wash. 2 The crew used hand tools and improvised ramps from cribbing and shims, to get the engine back on track.

• AMTRAK’S COLONIAL 3 Gauge rods pulled the rails CHATSWORTH LAC MEGANTIC • • ANATOMY OF A RUNAWAY TRAIN VS. FLOOD together after the engine was VOL. 2 rerailed. — Photos by David Honan >> Train Wrecks Vol. 2 Learn about derailments that Crashes changed railroading in our new that changed special issue. Preorder your copy railroading today at www.TrainsMag.com www.TrainsMag.com 73 Local hero

With GP38-2 No. 5107, a former Southern Railway unit, in the lead, Norfolk Southern local P43 splits intermediate signals at Bessemer City, N.C., on June 14, 2017. — Photo by Matthew DeLanghe

Bucking the trend

July 10, 2017, ﬁnds Buckingham Branch Railroad GP40 No. 6 at Afton, Va., on an employee appreciation special with business/inspection car Arvonia. Inspection windows added to one end of the car face No. 6. Arvonia is the name of a small town on the original 16.4-mile Buckingham Branch. — Photo by Wayland Moore

74 Trains JUNE 2018 Spring splendor

The eastbound Empire Builder rolls through a springtime setting in Somers, Wis., in June 2010. While the mountains of Washington state and Montana are the train’s main draw, the upper Midwest has its own charm. — Photo by Jim Ribar America’s City Solution Siemens’ answers for mobility help people and business reconnect with their city and one another.

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