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Algoma Central Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters

Last revised: October 17, 2026

By: Adam Burns

The Algoma Central Railway ran north from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, through the Agawa Canyon to Hearst. Reporting mark AC. Headquarters Sault Ste. Marie. George H. Drury remembered the railroad as the Route of the Black Bear. Francis H. Clergue’s company was incorporated on August 11, 1899. The finished line was a 296-mile main line to Hearst and a 26-mile branch from Hawk Junction to Michipicoten Harbour. Together those two figures are 322 miles.

On May 23, 1901, the name became the Algoma Central & Hudson Bay Railway. It returned to Algoma Central Railway in 1965. On April 30, 1990, the parent company became Algoma Central Corporation. Wisconsin Central took the railway on February 1, 1995. Canadian National acquired Wisconsin Central on October 9, 2001. In 2022 Watco began operating the line from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba as the Agawa Canyon Railroad. Canadian National kept Oba to Hearst. The canyon tour train is running a 2026 season through October 18. The steam list is 59 locomotives. The diesels bought for the railway before the 1995 sale are 42. Both rosters are on this page.

Algoma Central GP7s led by No. 170 on the Agawa Canyon Train along the Agawa River in the 1960s

Algoma Central GP7s, led by No. 170, on the Agawa Canyon Train along the Agawa River, Ontario, on a fall day in the 1960s. Author’s collection. No. 170 was built in December 1952, serial A442.

On this page: Clergue’s railway · Hudson Bay · At a glance · Map and the 1969 table · Agawa Canyon · Steam · Forty-two diesels · Wisconsin Central and after

Clergue’s railway

The company’s own history dates the incorporation to August 11, 1899, in Sault Ste. Marie, as the Algoma Central Railway Company, with an initial capitalization of $3 million. Clergue wanted a railway from the Soo out to a Canadian Pacific connection, to move iron ore and timber. Under the Land Grant Aid Act of 1900 the railway received more than 1.6 million acres. The same company put money into a Great Lakes fleet. In 1903 it entered a long financial restructuring. The railway kept operating.

Algoma Central Railway logo

The Algoma Central Railway logo. Author’s work.

The first engines were secondhand, bought in 1899. Steve Glischinski counts eleven of them: four Lehigh Valley Ten-Wheelers and seven former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 0-4-0s. The first new power was four Baldwin 2-8-0s in 1900. Two 0-6-0s followed from the Canadian Locomotive Company at Kingston in 1902. By 1926 that early steam was gone.

Hudson Bay

R. L. Kennedy dates the new name to May 23, 1901: the Algoma Central & Hudson Bay Railway, aimed at Moose Factory on James Bay. The rails never reached Hudson Bay. Drury’s account has the line at Hawk Junction, 165 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, in 1912, with a branch west through the iron country to Michipicoten Harbour on Lake Superior. In 1914 the railroad reached Hearst and a junction with the National Transcontinental, later Canadian National. An operating account of the steam years divides the main line into a sawtooth Soo Subdivision, those 165 miles to Hawk Junction, and a Northern Subdivision of a further 131 miles, nearly flat. The two subdivisions are the 296 miles. The October 15, 1969 public table prints Hearst at mile 296.

The Michipicoten branch is the other 26 miles. The main line and the branch are the 322 miles associated with the railroad in 1952. Hawk Junction was the place where the branch met the main line. Franz, farther north, was the Canadian Pacific interchange. Oba was the Canadian National interchange, south of Hearst. The steepest grade on the main line was a 12-mile stretch of 1.8 percent, southbound out of Frater.

An early affiliate was the Algoma Eastern, west from Sudbury through Espanola to Little Current on Manitoulin Island, 86.9 miles in Drury’s account. Canadian Pacific leased it in 1930. One Algoma Central engine, 2-6-0 No. 27, was built for the Manitoulin & North Shore subsidiary and later became Algoma Eastern 50. It is on the steam roster below, once.

The company came out of the long receivership in 1958. Its history dates a Toronto Stock Exchange listing to May 21, 1958, and the completed refinancing to November 14, 1958. Shipping, real estate, and the forest lands became the larger business. On April 30, 1990, with shareholder approval, the company was renamed Algoma Central Corporation. The railway continued under that parent. The name Algoma Central Railway itself had already been restored in 1965, when “and Hudson Bay” came off.

At a glance

ItemDetail
HeadquartersSault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Reporting markAC
SloganThe Route of the Black Bear
ProvinceOntario
Gauge4 feet, 8½ inches
IncorporatedAugust 11, 1899. Algoma Central Railway Company. Capitalization $3 million. Francis H. Clergue
Hudson Bay nameAlgoma Central & Hudson Bay Railway, May 23, 1901. The name Algoma Central Railway was restored in 1965
Land grantLand Grant Aid Act of 1900. More than 1.6 million acres
Main lineSault Ste. Marie–Hearst, 296 miles. Hawk Junction at 165 miles, in 1912. Hearst in 1914. The October 15, 1969 table prints Hearst at mile 296
Michipicoten26 miles, Hawk Junction to Michipicoten Harbour. Abandoned after the Wawa mine closed in 1998
Route miles322, the 296-mile main line and the 26-mile branch
InterchangesCanadian Pacific at Franz and Sault Ste. Marie. Canadian National at Oba and Hearst. The Soo Line at Sault Ste. Marie on the 1969 table
CorporationAlgoma Central Corporation, April 30, 1990
Wisconsin CentralFebruary 1, 1995
Canadian NationalOctober 9, 2001, with the Wisconsin Central
Since 2022Watco’s Agawa Canyon Railroad, Sault Ste. Marie to Oba. Canadian National kept Oba–Hearst
Steam59 locomotives
Diesels42 bought for the railway before the 1995 sale. Former VIA covered wagons assigned in 1995 are extra
Tour trainAgawa Canyon Tour Train. The published 2026 fall season runs through October 18

Map and the 1969 table

The sheet reproduced here is the Algoma Central’s page in a 1969 guide. L. C. Waugh is president and general manager, at Sault Ste. Marie. The table is dated October 15, 1969, Eastern time. Trains 1 and 2 are the passenger trains between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. The Michipicoten branch is on the same page, running from Hawk Junction. The connections printed there are Canadian Pacific and the Soo Line at Sault Ste. Marie, Canadian Pacific at Franz, and Canadian National at Oba and at Hearst. Hearst is at mile 296.

Algoma Central Railway system map and public timetable dated October 15, 1969

The Algoma Central’s page in a 1969 guide, with the system map and the October 15, 1969 table. Author’s collection. L. C. Waugh, president and general manager. The table prints Hearst at mile 296.

The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic was the American road at Sault Ste. Marie in the earlier years. On this 1969 sheet that side of the river is the Soo Line. The map shows the Soo Subdivision up to Hawk Junction, the Michipicoten Subdivision off to the harbour, and the Northern Subdivision on to Oba and Hearst.

Agawa Canyon

The canyon of the Agawa River became the railroad’s public face. The park stop is 114 rail miles north of Sault Ste. Marie. In 1950 the railroad tested an EMD FP7 demonstrator, No. 7001. It then bought road-switchers from General Motors Diesel at London, Ontario, rather than covered wagons. Glischinski describes the new paint as maroon, yellow, and gray, the same combination the Lackawanna was using. The railroad is remembered as the first in Canada to dieselize completely. The last two GP7s, 169 and 170, were built in December 1952.

Ore from the Helen mine country moved to Michipicoten Harbour, and coal moved inland from the docks. Glischinski assigns the 2-10-2s of 1929 to the coal trains between those docks and the Canadian National interchanges at Oba and Hearst. Pulpwood and other forest freight stayed on the railroad after the steam was gone. The Wawa mine closed in 1998, and the Michipicoten branch was abandoned after that.

The canyon train outlasted the branch. Watco’s Agawa Canyon Tour Train is running a 2026 season from Sault Ste. Marie, with the fall dates published through October 18, 2026. The depot remained in the Canal District for this season.

Steam

The steam roster is 59 locomotives, counted once. The early secondhand engines and the 1900–1902 new power were gone by 1926. What remained for the road were the Ten-Wheelers of 1912, the Consolidations of 1911 and 1913, and the two Santa Fe types of 1929. Wartime traffic brought seventeen secondhand Mikados between 1940 and 1943: seven from the Wabash, two from the Virginian, and eight from the Minneapolis & St. Louis. The equipment list scraps that later group in 1951–53.

ClassNumbersTypeBuilderBuiltAcquiredNotes
1–44-6-0Mason1863–1864September 30, 1899Ex-Lehigh Valley 37, 39, 43, and 52. Nos. 1–3 are April 1863, November 1863, and September 1864. Sold by 1918. No. 1 sold in 1914
5–110-4-0Various1869–18861899Seven former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy switchers. Build dates run from 1869 into the 1880s. Sold in 1914–15
S-119–200-6-0CLC, KingstonApril 1902NewGone with the other early steam by 1926
C-1212-8-0BaldwinMay 1900NewWorks 17796. Gone by 1926
C-1222-8-0BaldwinJune 1900NewWorks 17811. Scrapped May 1924
C-1232-8-0BaldwinAugust 1900NewWorks 18011. Gone by 1926
C-1242-8-0BaldwinAugust 1900NewWorks 18033. Built as a Vauclain compound and later converted to simple. Gone by 1926
25–264-8-0BrooksApril 1892190225 ex-Iron Range & Huron Bay 302, works 2073. 26 ex-Iron Range & Huron Bay 301, works 2072. The only two of the type to run in Canada. Sold or scrapped in 1917
M-1272-6-0MontrealJanuary 1907NewWorks 41092. Built for the Manitoulin & North Shore, lettered for the Algoma Central & Hudson Bay, and assigned to the subsidiary. Became Algoma Eastern 50 around 1911. Scrapped in 1927. Counted once
C-228–372-8-0MontrealApril 1911NewWorks 49852–49861. Ten engines. Scrapped 1951–53
C-338–422-8-0CLC, KingstonMarch 1913NewWorks 1094–1098. Scrapped 1951–53
50–512-10-2CLC, KingstonJuly 1929NewWorks 1858–1859. Coal trains from the Michipicoten docks to Oba and Hearst. Scrapped 1951–53
602-8-2Baldwin19121942Works 37854. Ex-Wabash 2426. Scrapped 1951–53
612-8-2Alco, Richmond19121942Works 50656. Ex-Wabash 2412. Scrapped 1951–53
62–662-8-2Alco, Pittsburgh19131942Ex-Wabash 2460, 2455, 2457, 2463, and 2458. Works 52466, 52461, 52463, 52469, and 52464, in that order. Scrapped 1951–53
70–712-8-2BaldwinJuly 1910July 26, 194370 ex-Virginian 462, works 34925. 71 ex-Virginian 455, works 34984. Usually assigned on the Michipicoten grade. Scrapped 1951–53
80–822-8-2Alco, SchenectadyJanuary 1915March 1942Ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 602, 608, and 613. Works 54987, 54993, and 54998. Scrapped 1951–53
83, 852-8-2Alco, BrooksJanuary 1916March 194283 ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 618, works 55559. 85 ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 617, works 55558. Scrapped 1951–53
842-8-2Alco, SchenectadyJanuary 1915March 1942Works 54990. Ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 605. Scrapped 1951–53
86–872-8-2Alco, BrooksDecember 1920March 194286 ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 621, works 62563. 87 ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis 624, works 62566. Scrapped 1951–53
C100–1044-6-0CLC, KingstonApril 1912NewWorks 1022–1026. The five Ten-Wheelers bought new in 1912. Only No. 100 is given a scrap date on the equipment list, 1951–53

Forty-two diesels

The 42 are the locomotives bought for the Algoma Central before Wisconsin Central took the railway. Twenty-one GP7s, 150–170, came from General Motors Diesel at London in 1951 and 1952. Two SW8s, 140 and 141, came with them. Two GP9s followed in August 1963. Three SD40s came in October 1971, and six SD40-2s in 1973. Two rebuilt former Milwaukee Road GP40s, 190 and 191, were acquired in 1994. Six GP38-2s, 200–205, were built for the railroad in April 1981 and were the last new power. That is 2 + 21 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 6.

Five of the GP7s went back to London in 1978 and returned as 100–104. Those five numbers are the same frames, already inside the 21. Four others, 157, 158, 167, and 170, were rebuilt by Canadian National at Transcona in Winnipeg in 1979 and kept their numbers. No. 172, serial A2019, is the last GP9 built. No. 171 went to the Maine Central in 1981 as No. 450. The date column is the builder’s date. The order column is blank.

Three Algoma Central GP7 rebuilds led by No. 104 on the canyon train at Sault Ste. Marie in June 1979

Three Algoma Central GP7 rebuilds, led by No. 104, on the canyon train at Sault Ste. Marie in June 1979. Rob Kitchen photo. No. 104 was rebuilt in May 1978 from GP7 156, serial A263. The rebuild serial is A3545.

An Algoma Central SD40 and two SD40-2s on the enclosed turntable at Steelton Shops on August 13, 1994

An Algoma Central SD40 and a pair of SD40-2s at the enclosed turntable, Steelton Shops, Sault Ste. Marie, on August 13, 1994. Wade Massie photo. Wisconsin Central took the railway the following February.

ModelNumbersSerialOrderBuiltQtyNotes
GMD SW8140A297—December 19511Later Wisconsin Central 900
GMD SW8141A281—April 19521Built for this railroad
GMD GP7150–153A170–A173—January 19514Built for this railroad. First of the 21 GP7s
GMD GP7154A231—February 19511Built for this railroad
GMD GP7155A262—August 19511Rebuilt May 1978 as No. 103, serial A3544. Same frame
GMD GP7156A263—August 19511Rebuilt May 1978 as No. 104, serial A3545. Later Wisconsin Central 1504. Same frame
GMD GP7157A264—September 19511Rebuilt by Canadian National at Transcona in 1979. Kept its number
GMD GP7158A265—October 19511Rebuilt by Canadian National at Transcona in 1979. Kept its number. Later Wisconsin Central 1506
GMD GP7159A266—October 19511Built for this railroad
GMD GP7160–161A267–A268—November 19512Built for this railroad
GMD GP7162A269—December 19511Rebuilt June 1978 as No. 100, serial A3541. Later Wisconsin Central 1501. Same frame
GMD GP7163–164A270–A271—December 19512Built for this railroad
GMD GP7165A272—January 19521Rebuilt June 1978 as No. 102, serial A3543. Same frame
GMD GP7166A273—January 19521Built for this railroad
GMD GP7167A274—January 19521Rebuilt by Canadian National at Transcona in 1979. Kept its number
GMD GP7168A275—February 19521Built for this railroad
GMD GP7169A441—December 19521Rebuilt June 1978 as No. 101, serial A3542. Later Wisconsin Central 1502. Same frame
GMD GP7170A442—December 19521Rebuilt by Canadian National at Transcona in 1979. Kept its number. The lead unit in the 1960s canyon photograph
GMD GP9171A2018—August 19631Sold to the Maine Central in 1981 as No. 450
GMD GP9172A2019—August 19631Last GP9 built. Sold to the Essex Terminal in 1986 as No. 102
GMD SD40180–182A2561–A2563—October 19713Built for this railroad. 181 later Wisconsin Central 6001. 180 and 182 were wrecked and scrapped
GMD SD40-2183A2869—August 19731Built for this railroad
GMD SD40-2184–185A2870–A2871—September 19732Built for this railroad. 184 was wrecked
GMD SD40-2186A2955—September 19731Built for this railroad
GMD SD40-2187–188A2956–A2957—October 19732Built for this railroad
EMD GP4019032300—October 19661Acquired 1994, rebuilt. Ex-Soo Line 2018, nee Milwaukee Road 192. Later Wisconsin Central 3026
EMD GP4019132478—January 19671Acquired 1994, rebuilt. Ex-Soo Line 2034, nee Milwaukee Road 161. Later Wisconsin Central 3027
GMD GP38-2200–205A4067–A4072—April 19816Built for this railroad. Last new power. To Wisconsin Central with the railway

At the sale, Kennedy’s count of the locomotives still on the property was 23: one SW8, eight GP7s, all six GP38-2s, one SD40, five SD40-2s, and the two GP40s. That 23 is the fleet conveyed in 1995. The 42 above counts every frame the railway had bought, including locomotives already sold, scrapped, or rebuilt into 100–104.

The canyon train’s covered wagons came after that sale. In 1995 Wisconsin Central assigned former VIA units to the tour, seven A-units and four B-units in Kennedy’s count. They were not rebuilt, and Canadian National replaced them in 2001–02. The seven A-units sit outside the 42.

Algoma Central FP9 No. 1754 with the canyon tour train

Algoma Central FP9 No. 1754 with the tour train. No. 1754 was built in March 1957 as Canadian National 6525, serial A1197, and was assigned to the canyon train after the Wisconsin Central purchase.

ModelNumbersSerialOrderBuiltQtyNotes
GMD FP91750A632—September 19541Built as Canadian National 6502. Later VIA 6502. To the Algoma tour train in 1995
GMD FP91751A636—November 19541Built as Canadian National 6506. Later VIA 6506. To the tour train in 1995
GMD FP91752A641—January 19551Built as Canadian National 6511. Later VIA 6511. To the tour train in 1995
GMD FP91753A1044—January 19571Built as Canadian National 6514. Later VIA 6514. To the tour train in 1995
GMD FP91754A1197—March 19571Built as Canadian National 6525. Later VIA 6525. The locomotive in the photograph above
GMD FP91755A1203—May 19571Built as Canadian National 6531. Later VIA 6531. To the tour train in 1995
GMD FP7u1756A524—June 19531Built as Canadian Pacific 4103. Later VIA 6553. To the tour train in 1995

Wisconsin Central and after

On February 1, 1995, Wisconsin Central took the Algoma Central Railway. A 1995 chronology, citing Trains, records the last train of the old company into Steelton Yard at 1:45 a.m. and Wisconsin Central’s first train out at 2:45 a.m. The railway ran as Algoma Central Railway, Inc., under Wisconsin Central Canada Holdings. Canadian National acquired Wisconsin Central on October 9, 2001, and the Ontario line came with it.

On March 30, 2021, Canadian National agreed to sell Watco the former Algoma Central from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba, together with former Wisconsin Central branches in Wisconsin and Michigan. Watco began operating the Ontario piece in 2022, as the Agawa Canyon Railroad. The tour train stayed with that sale. Canadian National kept the railroad from Oba to Hearst. The 2026 canyon season is still running from Sault Ste. Marie.

Related reading

Sources

  • Algoma Central Corporation, company history. Incorporated August 11, 1899, at Sault Ste. Marie, as the Algoma Central Railway Company, capitalization $3 million. Land Grant Aid Act of 1900, more than 1.6 million acres. Financial restructuring in 1903, with the railway and the Great Lakes fleet still operating. Toronto Stock Exchange listing May 21, 1958. Refinancing completed November 14, 1958.
  • Algoma Central Corporation, 2025 annual information form. Incorporated in 1899 by a Special Act of the Parliament of Canada. The name became The Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Company in 1901, Algoma Central Railway in 1965, and Algoma Central Corporation in 1990.
  • R. L. Kennedy, Old Time Trains, Algoma Central history. Name change of May 23, 1901, toward Moose Factory. Corporate name Algoma Central Corporation effective April 30, 1990. Wisconsin Central operation on February 1, 1995, through WC Canada Holdings. Eleven former VIA covered wagons, seven A-units and four B-units, assigned to the tour trains in 1995 and replaced in 2001–02. Fleet still on the property at the sale: one SW8, eight GP7s, six GP38-2s, one SD40, five SD40-2s, and two GP40s. GP9 172, serial A2019, August 1963, the last GP9 built. Grade of 1.8 percent for 12 miles southbound out of Frater. GP40 190, serial 32300, October 1966, acquired 1994, ex-Soo Line 2018, nee Milwaukee Road 192.
  • George H. Drury, “Algoma Central Railway remembered,” Classic Trains, August 1, 2023. The Route of the Black Bear. Hawk Junction in 1912, 165 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, and the branch to Michipicoten Harbour. Hearst in 1914, junction with the National Transcontinental. Algoma Eastern, Sudbury to Little Current, 86.9 miles, leased by Canadian Pacific in 1930. Name restored as Algoma Central Railway in 1965. Algoma Central Corporation in 1990, with the railway under that parent.
  • Steve Glischinski, “Algoma Central locomotives remembered,” Classic Trains, August 1, 2023. Eleven secondhand engines in 1899, four Baldwin 2-8-0s in 1900, and two Canadian Locomotive Company 0-6-0s. The two 4-8-0s from the Iron Range & Huron Bay in 1902, sold in 1917, the only two of the type to run in Canada. Santa Fe types 50–51, built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in 1929, for coal trains to Oba and Hearst. Secondhand Mikados in 1940–43: two Virginian, seven Wabash, eight Minneapolis & St. Louis. FP7 demonstrator 7001 tested in 1950. Twenty-one GP7s, 150–170, and SW8s 140–141. GP9s 171–172 in 1963. Nine GP7s rebuilt, five by General Motors Diesel in 1978 and four at Transcona in 1979. Six GP38-2s as the last new power. GP40s 190–191 acquired in 1994 from Milwaukee Road GP40s. Maroon, yellow, and gray, the Lackawanna combination.
  • The railroad’s page in a 1969 guide, the sheet reproduced here. L. C. Waugh, president and general manager, Sault Ste. Marie. Table dated October 15, 1969. Passenger trains 1 and 2 between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. Hearst at mile 296. Michipicoten branch from Hawk Junction. Connections with Canadian Pacific and the Soo Line at Sault Ste. Marie, Canadian Pacific at Franz, and Canadian National at Oba and Hearst.
  • Algoma Central equipment list, steam locomotives. Unit numbers, builders, works numbers, former owners, and the 1951–53 scrap notes in the steam table, including Pittsburgh as the builder of 62–66, the July 26, 1943 acquisition of Virginian 462 and 455, and No. 27 becoming Algoma Eastern 50. Dale Wilson’s class list, as used on the earlier version of this page, supplied the class letters S-1, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, and C.
  • The Diesel Shop, Algoma Central all-time diesel roster, R. Craig, revised September 24, 2022. Builder serials and months for the SW8s, the GP7s, the 1978 rebuild serials A3541–A3545, the SD40-2s, the GP38-2s, GP40s 190–191, and FP9s 1750–1755 and FP7u 1756.
  • Algoma Central diesel equipment list, for GP9 serials A2018 and A2019 and for SD40 serials A2561, A2562, and A2563, and for the sale of 171 to Maine Central 450 and of 172 to Essex Terminal 102. This site’s Maine Central diesel roster records 450 as former Algoma Central 171.
  • Wayne V. Brittain, Algoma Central steam-era operations, Old Time Trains. Soo Subdivision, 165 miles, Sault Ste. Marie to Hawk Junction. Northern Subdivision, a further 131 miles. Locomotives 70 and 71 usually assigned out of Brient on the Michipicoten grade.
  • Railway Gazette International, March 30, 2021. Canadian National’s agreement to sell Watco the former Algoma Central from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba, about 400 kilometres, and former Wisconsin Central branches in Wisconsin and Michigan. The tour train was included.
  • Watco, Agawa Canyon Railroad. Operations began in 2022. Sault Ste. Marie to Oba, with Canadian National still at Oba and Hearst beyond the sale.
  • 1995 in rail transport, citing Steve Glischinski, Trains, May 1995. February 1, 1995: the last Algoma Central train into Steelton at 1:45 a.m., and Wisconsin Central’s first train out at 2:45 a.m.
  • Algoma Central Railway historical account of the Canadian National purchase on October 9, 2001, and of the 1998 closing of Algoma Steel’s Wawa mine, after which the Michipicoten branch was abandoned.
  • Agawa Canyon tour season for 2026, as published in June 2025: fall dates through October 18, 2026. The Canal District depot remained the 2026 station, as reported in June 2026.

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  18. Denton County Asks to Extend Stadler Car Relief

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    Denton County Transit Authority has asked the FRA to extend a waiver for its Stadler diesel multiple-unit cars. Comments run to January 11, 2027.

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  19. FreightCar America Reports Third-Quarter Results

    Nov 10, 26 01:02 PM

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    FreightCar America reported third-quarter revenue of $76.5 million and 662 railcar deliveries. Backlog stood at 2,660 cars valued at $284.5 million.

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  20. Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment

    Nov 10, 26 12:53 PM

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    Amtrak asked the FRA on October 26, 2026, to amend the safety plan for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. Comments are due November 30, 2026.

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  21. SunRail Signal Waiver Is Open for Comment

    Nov 10, 26 12:25 PM

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    FRA has asked for comment on a petition to extend signal-testing relief on the Central Florida Rail Corridor. The notice names both the corridor and CSXT. Comments run to January 11, 2027.

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  22. Cars and Units Rose With BNSF Third-Quarter Earnings

    Nov 10, 26 12:18 PM

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    Berkshire Hathaway reports that after-tax BNSF earnings increased 19.3 percent in the third quarter of 2026, with car and unit volumes up 3.9 percent.

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  23. Amtrak Chicago Platforms Are Moving Toward Level Boarding

    Nov 10, 26 12:13 PM

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    Amtrak says construction is underway soon on the first level boarding platforms at Chicago Union Station, a 112 million dollar, 30-month project.

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  24. Maryland Has New Penn Line Times on November 16

    Nov 10, 26 12:07 PM

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    MARC Penn Line schedules change on November 16, 2026, after Amtrak trains return to regular schedules. Weekend southbound trains are unchanged.

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  25. Building Contract for Metrolink Sidings Goes to Granite

    Nov 10, 26 12:00 PM

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    Granite says Metrolink awarded a 51.5 million dollar SCORE contract for sidings near downtown Los Angeles and in Rancho Cucamonga.

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  26. EMD "F2" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History

    Nov 10, 26 12:22 AM

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    EMD F2, the 1,350-horsepower bridge between the FT and the F3. 104 locomotives, July through November 1946. Spotting features, specifications, and the production roster.

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  27. Southern Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Nov 10, 26 12:08 AM

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    Southern Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, Texas and New Orleans numbers, and the 1965 renumbering. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Krauss-Ma…

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  28. Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900

    Nov 09, 26 11:56 PM

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    Southern Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacific Lines, Texas and Louisiana Lines, cab-forwards, the GS 4-8-4s, and five narrow-gauge Ten-Wheelers. The quantity column counts the rows as p…

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  29. Canal Street Yard Assessment Stays Open Through December 7

    Nov 09, 26 01:07 PM

    The FRA signed the Canal Street Yard environmental assessment on November 6, 2026. Public inspection runs through December 7, and meeting dates are not confirmed.

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  30. NS Legacy Cab-Signal Comments Are Due November 9

    Nov 09, 26 01:05 PM

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    The FRA must receive comments by November 9, 2026, on a Norfolk Southern plan to drop legacy cab signals on 14 line segments and rely on positive train control.

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  31. Elimination Grant of $27.8 Million Reaches Scott Road in Allen County

    Nov 09, 26 12:53 PM

    Allen County received $27,878,116, also stated as $27.8 million, to design and build a grade separation where Scott Road crosses Norfolk Southern.

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  32. Vermont Receives $60.3 Million for the Western Corridor

    Nov 09, 26 12:45 PM

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    Vermont will receive $60.3 million to rehabilitate about 60 miles of the Western Corridor. The delegation quote also calls the sum $60 million.

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  33. Burlingame Grade Separation Wins a Federal Grant

    Nov 09, 26 10:42 AM

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    Rep. Kevin Mullin said on November 5, 2026 that the FRA awarded $90.4 million for the Caltrain Broadway grade separation in Burlingame. Early work is expected in May 2027.

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  34. Orange County Rail Line Gets a Coastal Permit

    Nov 09, 26 10:18 AM

    The California Coastal Commission on November 5, 2026 approved a 10-year permit for the San Clemente rail line, including about 690,000 cubic yards of sand.

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  35. Railroad Quiet Zones Are Reinstated in St. Louis

    Nov 09, 26 10:14 AM

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    St. Louis said on November 6, 2026 that the FRA reinstated the city quiet zones. Horns are to stop after railroad systems are updated.

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  36. Southern Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo

    Nov 08, 26 01:58 PM

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    The Southern Pacific, from the December 2, 1865 charter and the Big Four to Sprint, the Rio Grande Industries purchase of 1988, and the Union Pacific merger of February 1, 1997.

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  37. California Awards Flexible Rail Aid to Nine Projects

    Nov 08, 26 01:15 PM

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    CalSTA on November 5, 2026 awarded $66.58 million in flexible State Rail Assistance to nine California projects. Each amount in the summary is a cap, printed as up to.

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  38. CSX Leaves Three Days Out of the Weekly Reports

    Nov 08, 26 12:02 PM

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    CSX told the Surface Transportation Board it cannot recover October 27-29 data for the EP 724 and EP 787 reports covering the week ending October 30, 2026.

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  39. NJ Transit Advances Three Station Housing Projects

    Nov 08, 26 11:56 AM

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    NJ Transit on November 5, 2026 advanced station projects in Jersey City, Bound Brook, and Morristown. The three are projected to add more than 1,000 homes.

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  40. River Fox Train Wraps a Locomotive for America 250

    Nov 08, 26 11:06 AM

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    The River Fox Train in West Sacramento wrapped a locomotive with America 250 markings, the American flag, and the Sacramento skyline. The wrap is expected to stay through 2027.

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  41. California Keeps Metrolink Service in the 2027 Budget

    Nov 07, 26 11:35 PM

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    Metrolink says a California State Transportation Agency grant lets the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget keep service at current levels. The board hearing is November 13, 2026.

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  42. WM's 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (M-2): Specs, Roster, History

    Nov 07, 26 04:37 PM

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    Western Maryland class M-2, twelve Baldwin 4-6-6-4s numbered 1201-1212, built in 1940 and 1941 for Hagerstown-Connellsville fast freight. Roster, specifications, and retirement in 1952-1953.

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  43. Missouri Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Nov 07, 26 04:26 PM

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    Missouri Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, subsidiary lettering, and renumberings. Alco, Baldwin, Electro-Motive, and General Electric. Texas and Pacific locomotives are on th…

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  44. Missouri Pacific Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)

    Nov 07, 26 04:21 PM

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    Missouri Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Drury quantity column 1,439. Sedalia rebuilds counted once, 1,407 frames. Last steam was 0-6-0 9301 in November 1955.

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  45. Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Locomotives, Logo, History

    Nov 07, 26 04:19 PM

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    The Missouri Pacific was a large Midwestern that carried a long history of financial difficulty until later years.

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  46. LIRR Service Changes Start on November 9

    Nov 07, 26 03:15 PM

    New Long Island Rail Road schedules start on every branch on Monday, November 9, 2026. Midday and weekend times change. Rush hour does not. Babylon service returns in stages.

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  47. Draft EA Reviews Norfolk Southern Track in London, Ohio

    Nov 07, 26 11:35 AM

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    The Surface Transportation Board environmental office issued a draft assessment on November 6, 2026, for about 0.96 miles of Norfolk Southern track in London, Ohio. Comments are due November 20.

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  48. Metrolink Lines Will Not Run on Three Routes November 7

    Nov 07, 26 10:53 AM

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    Metrolink will not run the Ventura County, Orange County, or Inland Empire-Orange County lines on November 7 and 8, 2026. The advisory says no substitute transportation will be provided.

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  49. Hartford Line Adds a Weekday Round Trip on November 16

    Nov 07, 26 10:48 AM

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    Connecticut said the Hartford Line adds a weekday New Haven-Hartford round trip on November 16, starts a morning train in Springfield, and extends weekend stops to Windsor and Windsor Locks.

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  50. Board Issues a Policy Statement on Rail Preemption

    Nov 07, 26 10:44 AM

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    The Surface Transportation Board placed a policy statement on public inspection for the November 9 Federal Register. It reviews existing preemption precedent and says it makes no binding determination…

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