Category: News

Some toys and scale models got a temporary reprieve Tuesday from tariffs to be imposed on goods from China arriving on U.S. shores beginning Sept. 1. The United States Trade Representative delayed imposing 10 percent tariffs on some Chinese imports until Dec. 15. The announcement came a few days after two major model railroad manufacturers said they were raising prices for products currently on the water due to arrive Sept. 1 or later. The Trump administration, responding to fears that deteriorating trade relations with China are hurting the economy, delayed a 10 percent tariff on only a portion of $300 billion in goods earmarked in May. USTR said that certain products were being removed from the list based on health, safety, national security and other factors. Among them are toys, including riding toys other than bicycles, puzzles and reduced-scale models. Other items on the list are cellphones, laptop computers, video…

Meeting at Ogden Union Station Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844 have met. On Thursday the iconic steam locomotives faced head-to-head for Union Pacific’s celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The two met like Jupiter and No. 119 did at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, when the UP and Central Pacific Railroad connected. A ceremony was held at Ogden Union Station about 50 miles from where the Golden Spike was originally tapped into place. Union Pacific removed its tracks near Promontory Summit to support the scrap metal projects during World War II. “This celebration is Union Pacific’s way of reflecting on our ancestors’ remarkable achievements that connected the nation while reminding us of the enormous responsibility we have for our nation’s future,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “We are proud our employees live and…

Union Pacific announced today the commemorative tour schedule for its historic steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844. The iconic steam locomotives will unite for the first time in a public display May 9 in Ogden, UT, during UP’s celebratory event marking the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary. The festivities include recreating the iconic photo taken May 10, 1869, when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, creating America’s first transcontinental railroad. UP no longer has tracks near Promontory Summit (they were removed to support the scrap metal projects during World War II). “Completing the transcontinental railroad was a major feat that united America and laid the foundation for the country’s growth, economic progress and improved the way of life,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “The restored steam engines are rolling pieces of history that take…

GALVESTON, TX – On May 10, 1869, two steam locomotives met on a far corner in Utah on freshly laid track. A golden spike was driven into a tie, and for the first time in history the United States was connected coast to coast by the Transcontinental Railroad. Richard Luckin, noted rail historian, has produced a documentary film, “Journey to Promontory,” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this historic event. The film will have its Texas premier at the Galveston Railroad Museum March 30 and will be broadcast on PBS nationwide later this year. Luckin will introduce the film, which is free and begins at 6 p.m., and field questions from the audience afterward. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. The museum is located at 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550. Luckin is a prominent author and documentarian of railroad history. He wrote “Dining on Rails: An…

High-speed rail in the U.S. appears to be veering off track. Within two weeks in February, projects in California and Texas were dealt blows. The Federal Railroad Administration intends to cancel grants for the California High-Speed Rail project, and a judge said the Texas Central Railway cannot use eminent domain to acquire land to build a bullet train from Houston to Dallas. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that, effective March 5, the FRA will cancel $929 million in federal grant funds yet to be paid for the California High-Speed Rail project envisioned to connect the Los Angeles Basin with the San Francisco Bay Area. DOT also announced it is exploring every legal option to recover $2.5 billion in federal funds previously granted for the project. FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory notified the California HSR Authority (CHSRA) of the FRA’s intent in a letter. Unless the CHSRA proves the project…

Past and future issues of Cowcatcher Magazine will be included in the collection of the DeGolyer Library and Special Collections at Southern Methodist University, the magazine announced in February. Publisher Tim Blackwell donated a copy of each issue of the magazine, which began publishing as Cowcatcher Round Up in January 2004, to DeGolyer Library Director Russell Martin on Feb. 26. The library will receive a copy of future issues to maintain a complete set. DeGolyer Library is the principal repository at SMU for special collections in the humanities, the history of business, and the history of science and technology. The library is well-known for its collection of local and national railroad history. “We are delighted to have a complete file of the Cowcatcher,” Martin said. “Preserving railroad history is part of our mission.” DeGolyer Library has an extensive repository of railroad photographs, documents and other materials, including the works of…