Find us on Facebook


Amtrak by the Numbers


WELCOME ABOARD… the entire Amtrak fleet!


LIGHT RAIL, TRANSIT, AND COMMUTER RAIL NEWS BY GEORGE M. SMERK A Second BART Trans-Bay Tunnel


THE TUNNEL UNDER SAN FRANCISCO BAY is a key ingredient in the success of the Bay Area Rap- id Transit (BART) District. To view the situa- tion realistically, the present tunnel is about at its capacity, and serious discussions are under way about building another trans-bay tunnel. There are two major hurdles, however,


This comprehensive roster of Amtrak’s passenger cars and motive power in service during the company’s first 40 years is fully illustrated with a mixture of lineside scenes and roster views. Roster information is presented in a spreadsheet format with introductory text, grouped by major categories such as steam-heated cars, Heritage fleet, Amfleet,


Superliners, diesel locomotives, and electric locomotives.


$79.95


S/H per book: $5 US, $9 Canada, all others, call or email for rates. Order item AMTN


Lehigh & New England


The Lehigh & New England was a bridge carrier stretching from Anthracite country in northeastern Pennsylvania to the gateway yard at Maybrook, New York. This Carstens Classic features rare photos of this anthracite carrier in its final twenty years. Enjoy great photos of Camelbacks and conventional steam, to transition era diesels including Alco FAs and road switchers.


877-787-2467 TOLL-FREE 816-285-6560 NON-US


WhiteRiverProductions.com 20 AUGUST 2015 • RAILFAN.COM A NORTHEAST CLASSIC! $13.95 PLUS S&H ITEM CRS-LNE


Order online day or night at WhiteRiverProductions.com P.O. Box 48, Bucklin, MO 64631 • Toll-free (877) 787-2467


that make a second tunnel undertaking very difficult. The first is concern over the en- vironment that construction would create. The second, and possibly the most evident, is the projected $12 billion price tag. Means of finding the money will be a challenge, and the trans-bay tunnel project is not likely to become less expensive if community leaders continue to hesitate. It will take community buy-in on both sides of the bay, as well as a large amount of political courage, which is usually in short supply, to bring the tunnel project to completion. Another project that is much needed, and also costly, is another Trans-Hudson tunnel from New Jersey into Penn Station in Manhattan. The future of re- ally useful and effective Northeast Corridor rail service relies on getting this project in motion. Thanks to D. Martin.


Angels Flight Safety Review


Often called the shortest railroad in the world, Angels Flight was built around the turn of the 20th century in order to move passengers from


D.C. Streetcar Forever Testing


Whether there will be streetcar service in the District of Columbia is a matter of some


Bunker Hill to Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. The little funicular is 298 feet long and its use saves passengers from a tough uphill climb. There are two cars, one entitled Olivet, and the other Sinai. The California Public Utilities Commission wants an evacua- tion route built adjacent to the funicular line, which would be very costly. Hal Bastian, the new owner of Angels Flight Railway Founda- tion, thinks a portable ladder stored under the tracks would offer a more cost-effective means of evacuation when used by profession- al responders during an emergency. The little railway has been closed down for well over a year due to several accidents (one fatal), and a scathing report on the accidents from the National Transportation Safety Board. Bas- tian is determined to get the railway back in service. He sees Angels Flight as a key part of the transportation structure in downtown Los Angeles, especially since more people now wish to live in downtown. At present, about 54,000 persons, a number apt to grow as sub- urban living loses some of its appeal, reside in a downtown location. Many hope that Sinai and Olivet will take flight again soon. Thanks to Frank Bauer for the interesting news.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74