Prototype News

The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association needs to raise $15,000 to replace the rod brasses on Reading Company 4-8-4 2100, a vital part of the locomotive’s ongoing restoration. 

The locomotive has been under restoration in Cleveland for nearly a decade, and volunteers are hopeful it will run in 2026. When it does, it’s expected to wear a red, white, and blue livery inspired by sister engine 2101, which led the American Freedom Train in the 1970s. The 2100 will also be renumbered 250. The locomotive was steamed up for the first time following extensive boiler work in April 2025.

“With 2026 approaching and work on the locomotive’s boiler nearing completion, it is time to shift focus on the running gear,” said volunteer Nick Martin. “This $15,000 goal for the rod brasses is the first of additional goals to come in the Making Moves campaign, and if we continue to meet those goals, 250 could make its first moves under steam as soon as spring of 2026.”

Reading 2100 was built in the railroad’s own shops in September 1945 by essentially expanding an existing Baldwin 2-8-0. The locomotive ran into the 1960s. In 1975, it and its sister locomotive, 2101, were purchased by Ross Rowland. Locomotive 2101 was restored for the American Freedom Train while 2100 served as a parts source. Locomotive 2100 was briefly restored in the 1980s before moving to Ontario and then Washington State, where it briefly ran in the 2000s. In 2015, the locomotive was moved to Ohio to be restored by ASRPA. 

Donations can be mailed to the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, 2800 W. 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113, or made online at www.americansteamrailroad.org.

—Justin Franz 

The post American Steam Raising Money For 2100 Running Gear appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

MTA on Nov. 19 issued the final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan (see above), which it said introduced “a new round of operating efficiencies over the next four years that significantly reduce out-year deficits announced in the July Financial Plan by a total of $418 million.” New cost savings of $675 million, it reported, are the primary driver and raise the cumulative total to more than $2 billion in operating savings through 2029.

“The plan shows a continued balanced operating budget for 2026 and reduces the projected deficit for 2027 by approximately half, from $345 million to $160 million, with additional deficit reductions in 2028 and 2029 thanks to a new round of operating efficiencies that the Authority has identified,” MTA said. The plan, it pointed out, forecasts $75 million more in operating efficiencies for 2027; $150 million for 2027; $200 million for 2028; and $250 million for 2029, totaling $675 million in new cost savings. This is in addition to the annual recurring savings of $500 million that MTA said it is “on track to achieve this year, originally reflected in the November Financial Plan of 2022.”

According to MTA, it has identified new cost savings through “transitioning to Tap and Ride; lower maintenance costs with the rolling deployment of newer and more reliable subway and railcars; optimization of railroad train crew schedules; and other identified efficiencies of internal processes across all agencies.”

Overall, revenue and expenses are on budget for 2025, MTA reported. Farebox revenue “is tracking to budget, primarily driven by stronger farebox performance from the commuter railroads [Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road],” and overall operating expenses “remain below budget,” it said.

“In 2021, the MTA was looking at a $2.5 billion annual deficit, but we have been able to get back on track thanks to the amazing support from Albany,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “That support allowed us to stay afloat without cutting service, without any layoffs—and another major factor in this agency’s fiscal stability has been the cost savings that we’ve achieved in recent years.”

“The MTA has kept real costs below 2019 levels and through these new cost savings, continues to meet the challenge of identifying new operating efficiencies to further reduce out-year deficits,” MTA Chief Financial Officer Jai Patel noted. “We’ll continue to make smart financial decisions that ensure long-term budget stability, while delivering reliable service customers can count on.”

• Kawasaki to Supply 378 More ‘B’ Division Cars to NYCT
• S&P’s Global Ratings Upgrades NYMTA’s Credit Rating
• NYMTA Releases July Financial Plan
• MTA 2025–2029 Capital Plan Gets Greenlight
• NY Governor Signs FY26 State Budget Into Law

Plans for the new Riverfront Streetcar Station and CPKC Pavilion will be unveiled Nov. 22, according to the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA), which is partnering with Port KC and CPKC on the project. The station and pavilion in 2026 will become the new northern terminus of the KC Streetcar system and provide access to Berkley Riverfront.

The $5 million pavilion—designed by a local team led by Burns & McDonnell and Zahner—will serve as the ‘front door’ to the Berkley Riverfront, CPKC Stadium, and future development, KCSA reported Nov. 18. It will feature an “artistic metal canopy, sculptural lighting, and enhanced passenger boarding and waiting areas.” Inspired by the Missouri River’s “movement and flow,” KCSA said the pavilion’s “architecturally striking canopy” and “vertical beacons of light” will symbolize Kansas City’s “deep connection to the river that shaped its history.”

The pavilion will be funded by a combination of federal grants and private contributions, according to KCSA. Construction will begin later this year and continue through 2026.

The station and pavilion are part of KCSA’s 0.7-mile Riverfront Extension project (see map above), which is 97% complete and expected to open in early 2026. The extension begins at 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard in the River Market, crosses the existing Grand Boulevard Bridge, and ends near the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront—about a five-minute walk to the home of the KC Current, CKPC Stadium. When complete, the entire KC Streetcar system will cover nearly 6.5 miles from the river to the Roos (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

“Together with Port KC and CPKC, we’re building an end-of-line station that truly reflects the important role this streetcar stop will play in connecting our system to all of Berkley Riverfront for years to come,” KCSA Executive Director Tom Gerend said.

“Partnerships like this are exactly how we continue to transform Kansas City’s riverfront into a vibrant, connected destination,” Port KC President and CEO Jon Stephens said. “The new End of the Line stop will not only connect people to the riverfront—it will create a true sense of arrival and place for everyone coming to experience all that this area has to offer.”

“Our rail network connects businesses, nations, and communities, fueling the economic development that strengthens the places we live and work,” commented Chad Becker, CPKC Chief of Staff. “We are proud to support the KC Streetcar, which is helping redefine how people experience Kansas City. This latest project adds to the successful rebirth of the riverfront anchored by CPKC Stadium and surrounding developments.”

Earlier this fall, KCSA launched its 3.5-mile Main Street Extension, connecting downtown with the Midtown corridor, including the Country Club Plaza district, and ending at the Roos (see map of the current system, above left).

The Oceanside (Calif.) City Council on Nov. 19 voted to advance the proposed Oceanside Transit Center redevelopment project, which NCTD reported was “a significant step forward” in its transit-oriented development (TOD) strategy. The project plans will proceed to the California Coastal Commission for final review in 2026.

The Oceanside Transit Center is a hub for transit services in North County, connecting communities to San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and North County inland cities. It is the only station served by SPRINTER hybrid rail, COASTER commuter rail, Amtrak intercity rail, Metrolink commuter rail, BREEZE fixed-route bus, and LIFT paratransit services.

The redevelopment project represents nearly $100 million in private investment and includes a dedicated transit customer service center, a station plaza, improved public waiting areas, a new public parking structure, and the relocation of a bus island to provide direct bus-to-rail connectivity and reduce passenger walk times roughly 50% when compared with the existing configuration, according to NCTD. The project also includes 170 hotel rooms, nearly 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, and 547 residential units (15% of which will be dedicated as affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households). Toll Brothers Apartment Living is the project manager; it will oversee construction and provide site management upon project completion.

NCTD reported that its headquarters will be relocated from 810 Mission Avenue to the redeveloped Oceanside Transit Center (235 S. Tremont); this will create an opportunity for Toll Brothers Apartment Living to develop 206 mixed-income units (including 31 for low- and moderate-income households) at the Mission Avenue site.

“The vision for a reimagined Oceanside Transit Center is the result of more than three years of public outreach, collaboration, and compromise between a diverse coalition of local residents, nonprofits, transit, and housing advocates, and of course the City of Oceanside and NCTD,” said Michael McCann of Toll Brothers Apartment Living. “Downtown Oceanside has become such a unique destination that deserves a world-class transit center. We’re proud to be part of the team that will deliver a project that benefits not only Oceanside, but the region as well.”

According to NCTD, the Oceanside Transit Center redevelopment project is the first of 11 planned redevelopment projects at NCTD rail stations. Collectively, these developments are expected to generate approximately 2,341 housing units—884 of which will be designated affordable—along with 275 hotel rooms in coastal areas and an increase of 55,800 square feet of retail space.   

WMATA along with development partners Rushmark Properties and EYA, LLC, and Virginia elected officials on Nov. 19 broke ground on a dense, mixed-use community, just steps from the West Falls Church Metrorail Station.

The Falls Church Gateway Partners will transform 24 acres of WMATA-owned parking lots into “a vibrant neighborhood that enhances transit accessibility and supports affordable housing,” according to the transit authority.

The project will be developed in three phases and include up to 1 million square feet of new residential, office, and retail space. The residential portion will feature up to 810 apartments and 82 townhomes with affordable housing components. It also includes a new street grid with improved pedestrian, bike, and bus access. New public spaces like civic plazas, pocket parks, and a dog play area will also be created, WMATA reported.

The first phase will open with townhomes starting in 2027 and apartments in 2028.

“Groundbreakings are about new beginnings, and West Falls Church is set for an exciting new chapter,” WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke said. “With the Silver Line’s arrival [in 2022], these lots became underused, creating an opportunity to build a community steps from the station. When we build more housing near transit, the entire region benefits—from growing ridership to reducing traffic congestion to creating better quality of life opportunities and more access to jobs and entertainment.”

“By transforming 24 acres of Metro-owned land into a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood, this community will have a new place where people can live, work, and connect—without needing a car for every trip,” WMATA Board Member and Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn said. “This redevelopment—with new homes, offices, retail, and public spaces—shows what’s possible when Metro [WMATA], Fairfax County, and our partners unite around a shared vision for smart, transit-oriented growth that benefits our residents, our economy, and our region.”

The TOD project complements two others for a total of nearly 42 acres around the Metrorail station: West Falls and the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center, which includes the new the HITT headquarters.

The DART Board of Directors approved a $16.8 million contract with Preferred Technologies, LLC for a system-wide upgrade of camera and monitoring equipment and exercised a contract extension and increase with Texas Elite Facility Services for cleaning services (worth $7.8 million), the transit agency reported Nov. 19. DART operates light rail, Silver Line regional rail, Trinity Railway Express, bus routes, GoLink on-demand service, and paratransit, moving more than 220,000 riders daily across a 700-square-mile, 13-city region of North Texas.

Preferred Technologies, LLC, will upgrade DART’s surveillance camera system, replacing of “thousands” of cameras while unifying DART’s hardware and software. The move will increase efficiency and collaboration between DART PD and operations, according to the transit agency. The cameras and related systems will cover trains, buses, platforms, bus stops, and facilities. The contract also includes advanced analytics capabilities to improve response times, DART said. This is the first major overhaul of the DART camera system since 2010. DART PD and the operations and technology departments are collaborating to identify priority locations, and fieldwork will begin in the first part of 2026. 

The Texas Elite Facility Services contract covers bus stop and shelter cleaning services. According to DART, the contract extension “increases quality control measures and includes integration of the vendor with DART’s internal maintenance system for faster response times.” The transit agency said the new contract doubles the cleaning frequency for bus shelters, “which is a priority” as DART is installing 1,200 new next-generation shelters. It also standardizes inspections from the vendor and DART, “making more bus stop and bus shelter inspections possible more often.”

Separately, TOD within a quarter mile of DART light rail stations has generated $18.1 billion in direct economic impact to North Texas over the past 25 years, according to the University of North Texas Economic Research Group. This includes a $1.0 billion direct impact from 2022 to 2024 based on 37 development projects.

The post Transit Briefs: NYMTA, KC Streetcar, NCTD, WMATA, DART appeared first on Railway Age.

Effective immediately, the District will serve as a first-of-its-kind mobility logistics hub within the Smart Port at AllianceTexas, Hillwood’s 27,000-acre, master-planned, mixed-use development in north Fort Worth.

The Alliance Logistics District is designed to deliver tangible operational advantages to any operator or customer within its boundaries. Key benefits include:

• “The right to deploy semi- and fully autonomous vehicles along district roadways in the freight corridor, supporting next-generation logistics and automation.
• “The right to use private hostler vehicles without a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to shuttle freight between BNSF’s intermodal facility and District warehouses, increasing operational efficiencies and reducing regulatory barriers.
• “The right to perform heavy-haul freight movements (loads over 80,000 pounds) across District roadways without the need for special-use permits, enabling efficient transport of high-density or oversized goods.”

These benefits, Hillwood says, are available to all users operating within the District, regardless of prior involvement or technical background, “ensuring that the District’s innovative infrastructure and regulatory flexibility are accessible and understandable to both new and existing stakeholders. By being co-located with one of BNSF’s largest intermodal facilities, operators and customers can realize significant operational cost savings, enhanced connectivity and improved logistics efficiency.”

Anchored by North America’s largest inland rail port, BNSF’s Alliance intermodal facility, the Alliance Logistics District is the first of its kind within BNSF’s rail and intermodal ecosystem and will “redefine how freight moves through North Texas while reducing traffic on public roads,” according to the company. “By enabling more efficient and cost-effective cargo transport, including autonomous and semi-autonomous shuttle movements as well as overweight and private heavy-haul vehicles, the District will help customers save millions of dollars annually while solidifying North Texas’ position as a national leader in logistics innovation.” 

In its request to the Fort Worth City Council, Hillwood “emphasized that the Alliance Logistics District aligns directly with the City’s 2023 Innovation Districts Policy,” which encourages concentrated hubs of research, technology and entrepreneurship within defined geographic areas. Surpassing the City’s established criteria, the Alliance Logistics District, the company says, will support industries including logistics, automation, and advanced manufacturing—anchored by Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the BNSF intermodal facility. The District will also advance innovation-driven employment, smart infrastructure and public-private collaboration to strengthen Fort Worth’s role as a global logistics and technology center, Hillwood noted.

Spanning nearly 1,400 acres, the District is purpose-built for next-generation industrial development, with direct BNSF rail access and flexible logistics infrastructure designed to support manufacturers and shippers handling heavy, dense or high-value goods—such as ceramics, plastics and auto parts—where speed, efficiency and connectivity are critical.

“By integrating advanced technology, modern infrastructure and regulatory flexibility, this initiative reinforces AllianceTexas’ standing as one of the most connected, forward-thinking logistics ecosystems in the country,” said Nicholas Konen, Vice President of Strategic Development at Hillwood. “These advancements reduce costs for customers, improve logistics efficiency and take pressure off public roadways. Our long-standing partnerships with BNSF, the City of Fort Worth and regional transportation leaders are truly a testament to how public-private collaboration sparks innovation, accelerates industrial development and drives economic opportunity.”

The inland port at AllianceTexas serves as the primary port of entry for the southwestern U.S., linking global trade directly to the region through intermodal rail connections from ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach and Houston. As one of only two intermodal logistics hubs in Texas that integrate air, ground and rail transportation, companies can efficiently move goods across all three modes of transit.

“The Alliance Logistics District aligns perfectly with BNSF’s vision to deliver transportation services that consistently meet our customers’ expectations, with these innovations delivering cost savings and additional supply chain value,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President of consumer products. “By enabling the delivery of goods from rail to warehouse in a more efficient way, we’re increasing the traffic that can capitalize on the cost, capacity and sustainability benefits of intermodal while creating a scalable model for the next generation of inland ports. This strengthens the region’s freight infrastructure and keeps North Texas at the forefront of global supply chain innovation.”

According to a recently released study by the Texas Comptroller’s office, Texas ports generated $1 trillion in international trade in 2024, with AllianceTexas contributing $834.6 million—a 550.7% increase since 2016.

“Through this public-private partnership, Fort Worth continues to lead in smart, sustainable infrastructure that drives our region’s economic vitality,” said Lauren Prieur, Fort Worth’s Director of Transportation and Public Works. “The Alliance Logistics District strengthens our position as a global logistics hub while ensuring forward-looking, responsible transportation planning.”

Accompanied by these operational enhancements, Hillwood’s $20 million investment in a private heavy-haul bridge over FM-156 “unlocks the District’s true value, directly linking its 15 million square feet of distribution, logistics, and manufacturing space to BNSF’s Alliance intermodal facility,” the company said.

Planned to meet Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) standards and engineered for 120,000-pound axle loads, the three-lane bridge “will enable the efficient movement of heavy-haul freight while reducing truck traffic on public roads.” Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026, “reinforcing Hillwood’s commitment to next-generation infrastructure that supports industrial growth and regional mobility,” the company said.

The post Hillwood, BNSF, City of Forth Worth Launch Alliance Logistics District appeared first on Railway Age.

For tenants, TexAmericas Center says, that means “faster turns, more predictable service, and quicker Speed-to-Market resulting in Speed-to-Profit.” For the four-state regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, “it strengthens the Texarkana logistics hub, supports Red River Army Depot and area manufacturers, and helps attract new investment and jobs.”

The locomotives, EMD GP38‑2 models rated at 2,000 horsepower each, are part of a $3.15 million investment “to increase internal capacity, improve car staging and spotting reliability, enhance operational flexibility, and elevate day‑to‑day safety for employees and contractors,” the industrial park noted.

As a designated Union Pacific (UP) Focus Site, TexAmericas Center says it is “leveraging the added locomotive power to cut bottlenecks, lower shipping costs, reduce delivery times, and connect tenants to broader markets, accelerating Speed-to-Profit and making the four-state region more competitive for investment and jobs.”

“This is about giving businesses the service they need to move faster,” said TexAmericas Center CEO and Executive Director Scott Norton. “With added power and control on our own footprint, we can switch cars more efficiently, keep people safer on the ground, and help companies stay on schedule.”

The project was supported by a $1.5 million Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. The state support helped bring the equipment online on an expedited schedule and strengthens logistics for its tenants including those supporting the Red River Army Depot, according to TexAmericas Center.

“We are grateful for the Commission’s support,” said Norton. “Their investment helped us turn plans into action and deliver real-world reliability for the defense supply chain and for the companies that put people to work here.”

Built for dependable daily service, both units were upgraded to Tier Zero Plus emissions standards and equipped with Hot Start technology to reduce idle time and fuel burn. Additional enhancements include newer‑generation traction motors for improved tractive effort, an FRA‑approved event data recorder, upgraded lighting and visibility for public safety, and climate controls for operator comfort that were not available on prior locomotives.

“This investment is about performance you can feel on the ground. We stage and spot with more precision, cut idle time, and keep people out of harm’s way. That means tighter cycle times and a more dependable rail experience for every shipper on our campus,” said Norton.

The ceremony on the East Campus included brief remarks, a ceremonial bottle break, and a horn salute. Speakers and special guests included leadership from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and Red River Army Depot, along with regional and state officials. Photo opportunities and media interviews followed the commissioning.

The milestone, the industrial park says, “aligns with broader rail expansion under way at TexAmericas Center, including new track on the south end of East Campus, additional spurs, and sit yards designed to increase capacity and give tenants more choice.”

The post TexAmericas Center Commissions Two Locomotives appeared first on Railway Age.

In the heart of the Windy City, BNSF’s Cicero Intermodal Facility underwent a transformation that’s as strategic as it is sustainable. With the final phase of a multi-year expansion nearing completion, the project is already delivering on its promise: increased capacity, improved safety and efficiency, and meaningful environmental benefits for customers and communities alike. 

The expansion will increase Cicero’s annual lift capacity by 175,000 units. This is an essential step in supporting BNSF’s intermodal growth strategy and meeting rising demand across our 32,500-mile network.

“Reconstructing an active railyard while continuing to provide quality service to our customers presented its own unique challenges,” said Engineering Manager Chris VanDeven. “The success of this project is a direct result of the collaboration and innovation of all those involved.”  

Teams managed overall costs to mitigate inflation, applying value engineering and working collaboratively with stakeholders to define the right scope and deliver what was needed. Everyone involved consistently exceeded expectations.  

We’ve added 8,500-foot of production track (where intermodal trains are loaded and unloaded), 55,000 feet of reconstructed receiving yard tracks, new trailer parking with more than 800 stalls, a hostler repair shop and a 100-foot diameter turntable. But the real story lies in how the work was done. 

By optimizing site grading, the team reduced excavation by 63,900 cubic yards. Instead of hauling away excess soil, they repurposed 204,000 cubic yards to build an embankment on adjacent BNSF property that eliminated 1,449,000 miles of truck trips and over 5,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. 

To put that in perspective, offsetting that much carbon would require planting 120,000 trees, no small feat in a dense urban area like Chicago. 

Beyond the railyard, the project also brought benefits to the surrounding community. Working with local municipalities, we designed and built a 2,700,000-cubic-foot stormwater detention system to better manage runoff and reduce strain on the city’s sewer infrastructure. 

In a nod to preservation and reuse, we donated the facility’s original 135-foot locomotive turntable to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in Silvis, Illinois, and a 15-ton crane from the Cicero locomotive repair shop also found a new home at the Illinois Railway Museum, where it will help maintain a fleet of 58 historic diesel locomotives. 

“Cicero employees recognize and appreciate the investment BNSF has made in the terminal,” said Joseph Ratulowski, Cicero terminal superintendent. “The improvements in safety and capacity have strengthened our confidence of this yard and we know it will deliver benefits for years to come!”   

The Cicero expansion has been a part of a broader, long-term commitment by BNSF to invest in infrastructure that supports customer growth and supply chain resilience. From intermodal hubs to mainline capacity, every project is designed with the future in mind. 

With more capacity, smarter design and a smaller environmental footprint, Cicero is ready to meet the needs of customers today and tomorrow. 

The post Cicero Intermodal Expansion Delivers Capacity, Sustainability and Customer Value appeared first on Railway Age.