TAMPA, Fla. — As part of President Barack Obama’s jobs recovery act, the President has announced on Thursday awards for the $8 billion in economic Recovery Acts grant for the development of the U.S.’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.
In last Wednesday’s State of the Union speech in Washington, the president said, “We can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the interstate highway system, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.”
According to the White House, 31 states will be receiving investment rail-related awards toward developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country, including smaller projects and planning work that will help lay the groundwork for future high-speed intercity rail service.
The $8 billion investment is expected to create or save tens of thousands of jobs over time in areas such as track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations. More than 30 railroad equipment manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are hired to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines.
Floridians and tourists don’t often get to ride live steam trains outside of Disney World. So during the month of February, for a steam train ride experience outside of the Magic Kingdom, a little railroad that could and will, the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, Fl will be running steam excursions for four weekends. Pulling the steam train rides will be the 1930 Flagg Coal Company’s No.75 Vulcan 0-4-0T coal burning tank engine. This is the fourth year the FRM has run these excursions.
After acquiring the #75 in 1991 and performing a 10 year restoration, the this little steamer has now traveled all over the country to various museums and tourist railroads.
The #75 participated in TrainFestival 2009 in Owsso, Michigan and appeared again last fall double heading steam train excursions in October on the scenic Hope Valley Railway in North Carolina.
This is a truly a unique chance to get up close and experience a live steam train ride in central Florida for the whole family.
Lots of extra activities are planned this year including the Party Caboose, Rent-a-Freight Train and the NEW opportunity to be a Steam Engineer.
Party Caboose - available for charter on every trip
Rent-a-Freight Train - Take charge of a 1,500 horsepower diesel locomotive and five car train for one hour.
Steam Engineer - NEW for 2010! At the end of each day, a limited number of participants will be able to operate the throttle and run the #75 on our railroad for 15 minutes.
The Museum is located 25 miles north of Sarasota and 35 miles south of Tampa off Interstate 75 at exit #229.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 has been sold through rail equipment broker Sterling Rail to a California-based collector, the company reports. The locomotive’s present owners, the National Railroad Museum, had no comment on the possible sale.
The Minneapolis-based nonprofit Friends of the 261 leased the locomotive from NRM and operated it from 1993 to 2008. The engine is presently in the Friends’ Minneapolis shop, having been torn down for its federally mandated 15-year inspection. When talks between the NRM and the Friends on a new lease stalled last fall, overhaul work on the 4-8-4 ended and plans were to return the engine to Green Bay for display.
The 261 was built in 1944 and weighs more than one million pounds. After retiring from the Milwaukee Road in 1954, the steam engine was rebuilt in 1993 and began new life pulling steam excursion rides leased through the Friends of the 261.
The 261 traveled to Chicago in May of 2008 for the making of the movie Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp. (more…)
Sweetheart Casino Train Ride to the Soaring Eagle Casino
will help the rebuilding of the “Polar Express”.
– Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Saturday, February 13th, 2009
Train departs Owosso at Noon and returns at 10pm
Roll the dice and take a spin with thousands of slots & table games and high stakes bingo. Your luck is about to change! Join the Steam Railroading Institute on February 13th on a leisurely train ride to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, where you’ll be greeted with a shuttle to Soaring Eagle Casino. Players will receive $20 in comp dollars and a $5 dining credit. Leave the driving to us and WIN BIG! Reserve your seat today by visiting our online ticket system or by calling 989.725.9464.
Proceeds to benefit the rebuilding of the Pere Marquette 1225 and The Steam Railroading Institute.
Steamfest II will hold two events, the first one will be held on March 14 and a weekend event will be held on March 20-21,2010 in Fremont California.
Sponsored by the Niles Canyon Railway and the Pacific Locomotive Association, these weekend events will feature train rides with three to four participating steam locomotives .
The Pacific Locomotive Association has been collecting rare and unusual railroad equipment since the early 1960s in an effort to preserve the Pacific Coast railroading history for the enjoyment of future generations. The PLA was recently awarded TRAINS 2009 Preservation Award of $10,000 for its restoration of the 1924-built Clover Valley Lumber Co. 2-6-6-2T No. 4 for operation on the Niles Canyon Railway in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Planned Steamfest Participants include:
Niles Canyon Railway’s Quincy Railroad #2 , a 1924 Alco 2-6-2T and the Robert Dollar #3, a 1927 Alco, also a 2-6-2T. California State Railroad Museum’s Granite Rock #10, a 1942 Porter built 0-6-0T and the Roots of Motive Power/Chris Baldo’s Mason County Logging #7, a 1910 Baldwin built 2-6-2T will also be there.
The railroad will be running a double-headed steam-powered freight March 14.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge steam train’s 52 mile round trip winter excursion travels through the breath taking back country winter wonderland of the San Juan Mountains in the comfort of heated coaches. The wilderness destination of Cascade Canyon Pavilion is the perfect setting for a fire-side lunch, photo opportunities, or a walk along the Animas River.
Lunch items are available for purchase on the concession car. You may also pre-order Tamale lunches, which feature locally grown, organic ingredients. These $10 Tamale lunches may be ordered up until 4:00 pm the day before your ride by calling 888-872-4607.
TAMPA, Fla. — As part of President Barack Obama’s jobs recovery act, the President has announced on Thursday awards for the $8 billion in economic Recovery Acts grant for the development of the U.S.’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.
Floridians and tourists don’t often get to ride live steam trains outside of Disney World. So during the month of February, for a steam train ride experience outside of the Magic Kingdom, a little railroad that could and will, the 
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 has been sold through rail equipment broker Sterling Rail to a California-based collector, the company reports. The locomotive’s present owners, the National Railroad Museum, had no comment on the possible sale.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge steam train’s 52 mile round trip winter excursion travels through the breath taking back country winter wonderland of the San Juan Mountains in the comfort of heated coaches. The wilderness destination of Cascade Canyon Pavilion is the perfect setting for a fire-side lunch, 