World

Durango & Silverton sued for $25m by US Government after fire

by

Sam Hewitt

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27th August 2019

The US Government is suing one of the country’s top steam-operated railways for $25million.
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British Thomson-Houston survivor in New Zealand

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

The only remaining diesel loco supplied by British Thomson-Houston (BTH) still in service anywhere in the world is in use with Alliance Group in New Zealand, where it works as a shunter at their Pukeuri Works, north of Oamaru, on the South Island. The loco – DSC 2067 – was delivered 60 years ago, in…
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Florida tourist train loses half its route after owner decision

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

AROUND half the route operated by Florida tourist train Orlando & Northwestern Railway – which runs as ‘The Royal Palm Railway Experience’ – was closed to passengers in April. The move came after the route’s owner, shortline freight operator Florida Central Railroad, decided it would no longer maintain the Tavares to Mount Dora section to…
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Two monorail lines for Egypt – with trains built by Bombardier in Derby

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

IN LATE-May it was announced Bombardier was ‘preferred bidder’ for a major contract, with local partners, to build and operate two monorail lines in Egypt. Bombardier also announced the 280 ‘Innovia’ vehicles required would be built in the UK at Derby. Bombardier’s share of the contract is worth around €1.2billion (£1.07bn) with an additional €1.1bn…
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DB Class 111 electrics locos losing passenger work in southern Germany

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

MAJOR changes to operating contracts in southern Germany on June 9 mean Go-Ahead’s German subsidiary is now operating multiple routes from Stuttgart, replacing DB Regio push-pull trains. Abellio also took over routes in the area on the same day, and more routes will switch from DB in December. For the German national operator, the changes…
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Rebuilt Simplex locos still at work in Malaysian palm oil industry

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

MALAYSIAN United Plantations Berhad’s (UP) use of rail transport meant it became the first palm oil producer to gain a sustainable palm oil producer certificate. UP uses a fleet of 700mm-gauge modified Motor Rail Simplex locomotives, originally built in Bedford, which have had their original Dorman engines replaced by more powerful ones made by Deutz,…
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South African loco back in steam after 59-year gap

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th August 2019

The loco was restored earlier this year and operated as a pair with Beyer.
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Trains old and new in Myanmar

by

Sam Hewitt

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1st August 2019

The railways in Myanmar (formerly Burma) are being slowly modernised with assistance from Japan, in particular. The state railway retains a handful of operational steam locos, although many more are plinthed or stored at depots. Some of the older and once common place Alsthom-built diesel locos have been replaced in regular service by 48 second-…
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British-built traction remains active in Borneo on tourist trains

by

Sam Hewitt

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31st July 2019

Two of the last steam locos built by Vulcan Foundry (Newton-le-Willows) are used in the Malaysian state of Sabah to operate regular tourist trains. The train between Tanjung Aru (Kota Kinabalu) and Papar runs normally on Wednesday and Saturday, and is a joint venture between the Sutera Harbour Resort, near Kota Kinabalu, and the Sabah…
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Five things you didn’t know about Apollo 11’s return

by

Sam Hewitt

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24th July 2019

Rail enthusiast or not, it would take a lot to miss all of the coverage in recent news about the celebratory anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
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