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CARES Act provides $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help public transportation systems

Apr 16th, 2020

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced that the CARES Act is providing $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to covid-19.

Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Funding allocated to urban, rural areas

FTA is allocating $25 billion to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula funds. Approximately $23 billion is being allocated to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion to rural areas. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required. The money will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to covid-19.

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NMRA Gateway 2020 national convention cancels amid fallout from new coronavirus, social distancing

Apr 10th, 2020

The NMRA Gateway 2020 national convention is the latest model railroad event to be stopped in its tracks because of the new coronavirus.

One of the largest annual model railroad meets in the U.S., slated for July in St. Louis, MO, was canceled after local organizers determined they could no longer continue preparations, the NMRA announced today. A member of the organizing committee reportedly was diagnosed with covid-19.

The National Train Show, which runs concurrent to the convention, was also canceled.

Robert Amsler, who manages the NMRA’s meetings and trade show department, informed officers and the board of directors of the committee’s decision.

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Public transportation industry seeks $16 billion in emergency relief from Congress to cover losses

Mar 19th, 2020

Dallas Area Rapid Transit and other public transit agencies have aggressively expanded cleaning and safety protocols in response to the coronavirus. The American Public Transportation Association is seeking federal relief funding to cover mounting losses in revenue and an estimated $2 billion in upgraded cleaning costs. – DART

APTA leader says public transit agencies need immediate help

WASHINGTON – The public transportation industry is urging Congress to
immediately provide $16 billion in direct emergency funding to public transit agencies to offset costs and revenue losses caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Public transit agencies are being massively impacted, and immediate measures need to be taken to ensure these agencies can continue to provide essential services to their communities now and in the future,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, American Public Transportation Association President and CEO in a statement. “It cannot be overstated – without these funds, the overwhelming majority of public transit agencies will be required to either drastically curtail services or suspend services altogether. The time to act is now.”

APTA is asking for legislation to fund essential public transportation services across the country, including providing paratransit services for individuals with disabilities; public transportation for health care workers, law enforcement, first responders and other safety personnel; and Medicaid recipients who receive medical transportation for kidney dialysis, cancer treatments, and other critical care.

The industry has experienced dramatic reductions in ridership due to the workplace restrictions, with an estimated $14 billion in losses expected in both fare and sales tax revenue, according to APTA. In addition, $2 billion is needed to cover upgraded cleaning.

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Update: Events canceled and museums close over COVID-19; virus slows intermodal rail traffic

Mar 16th, 2020

This story was last updated April 7, 2020

By TIM BLACKWELL/Cowcatcher Magazine

Plans are in place for the nation’s railroad community to keep trains moving as the U.S. continues its fight with COVID-19. Operations are ongoing, although the industry and others have been forced to function remotely to comply with health recommendations and state and national stay-at-home mandates.

And rail fans aren’t alone. They’re feeling the trickle-down effect that’s forcing cancellation and postponement of spring shows, meets and get-togethers.

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Long-time railroad historian and author revisits vintage rail travel on the Cotton Belt railroad

Feb 20th, 2020

Steve Allen Goen returns to publishing in a big way with the release of the first of 10 books showcasing passenger trains in Texas.

“Passenger Trains of Texas Cotton Belt” debuted last fall. His first book since 2006, it features passenger operations of the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad (more commonly the Cotton Belt) between the Victorian Era of the 1890s to the railroad’s last mixed train in 1958.

Goen tells the story of the Cotton Belt’s historic run of passenger service through Texas with his signature style of photos and descriptions. However, he goes a step further with interesting tales that re-create the railroad’s journey through major cities and small towns in an age when rail was a major mode for moving people.

The 144-page hardback is his ninth book and includes color and black-and-white images of the Lone Star and Morning Star trains, as well as the Jitney in East Texas, gas electrics on the Stephenville, North & South Texas Railroad, and mixed trains to Sherman and Gatesville.

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Museum displays 3D-generated G-scale replica of historic Texas hotel that once hosted Elvis

Dec 23rd, 2019

FRISCO, TX — The Museum of the American Railroad (MAR) had a showing in December of a 1:32 scale model of the historic Hotel Settles in Big Spring, TX, that was built for TrainTopia, the museum’s massive G-scale layout at the Frisco Discovery Center.

The model, produced by B&T Model Railroad Design, rises to six feet above the busy streetscape of TrainTopia and was delivered in November after 10 months of research and construction. It will be a permanent part of the 2,500-square-foot operating model train exhibit.

The hotel opened Oct. 1, 1930, and was built by Will R. and Lillian Settles. At 15 stories and 150 rooms, it was the tallest structure between El Paso and Dallas and featured a restaurant and pharmacy.

Among its guests were Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk and President Herbert Hoover, as well as Big Spring native Jerry Allison, who drummed for Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

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  • Vintage Essential

    The signature McKinney Avenue Trolley in Dallas is racking up some impressive ridership numbers amid the pandemic, though still operating at half capacity. In recent years, the trolley has transformed from a nostalgic ride through Uptown Dallas, one of the city’s most tres chic neighborhoods and business districts north of downtown, to a viable way to get around.

     

  • State of Model Railroading Survey

    Model railroading has weathered lockdowns and social distancing, and emerged, by some accounts, stronger than before the pandemic began. In the Cowcatcher’s 2021 State of Model Railroading survey, readers say the hobby continues to be a good value for the price and quality, but growing model railroading is still a challenge

     

     

     

  • PLUS…

    The Cowcatcher’s Northwest Tarrant & Pacific is among the fraternity of short lines dependent on hand-me-downs. A LifeLike Proto 2000 Santa Fe GP38-2 recently got a down-and-dirty technology upgrade and a few creature comfort details…

     

                              – Cowcatcher Magazine                                        

     

    The Crossville Model Railroad Club in Crossville, TN, runs trains for the public and tells the region’s railroad history along the way…

     

    The Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific bridge has weathered time to provide a key link across the Red River…

     

    Encouraging signs that a vaccine could be widely distributed in the U.S. by mid-2021 is instilling hope that shows, events, conventions and attractions will get back on track. Despite a new wave of cancellations and closures in November and December, some organizations began planning events for as early as May and at least one other in January is still on tap.

     

     

    THESE STORIES AND MORE, PLUS A FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS!

     

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    MAC Rail HO EOT Devices

     

     

    MAC Rail, LLC, arrives on the HO rolling stock accessories scene with affordable, efficient EOTs to designate end of trains for operations.

     

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    The HO Grand Pacific Northwestern Railroad is spectacular, but that doesn’t begin to describe Bob Bandy’s labor of love that has spanned at least two decades. Order the November/December 2020 issue today!

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    Cowcatcher Magazine routinely features short lines and regional railroads that roam the Midwest and Southwest. Features include color photographs and maps, but an overview of operations and latest business trends.

     



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