KANONA, N.Y. — Alstom and Norfolk Southern are collaborating on a project that converts two locomotives from traditional diesel engines into battery-powered hybrid locomotives that rely on a smaller Tier 4 diesel engine for battery charging. The project is made possible by a $15.9 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and […]
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“F” stands for Front
If you look closely at a diesel locomotive, you’ll see the letter “F” stenciled near the stairs. As obvious as it seems, the “F” stands for Front, and it’s required under the Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 49 CFR Part 229.11 reads, “The letter “F” shall be […]
Atlas N scale GE B23-7
The Atlas N scale GE B23-7 is back in new paint schemes and road numbers. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Conrail 1948; highlights the molded and factory-applied parts on the locomotive; and demonstrates the sound and light effects on the B23-7, […]
Atlas N scale GE B23-7
The Atlas N scale GE B23-7 is back in new paint schemes and road numbers. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Conrail 1948; highlights the molded and factory-applied parts on the locomotive; and demonstrates the sound and light effects on the B23-7, […]
InterMountain HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper
The Trinity 5,161-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper is a new addition to the InterMountain Railway Co. product range. The HO scale model has an injection-molded plastic body, InterMountain metal wheelsets, and body-mounted Kadee couplers. Prototype history Since making its debut in 1995, the Trinity 5161 has become one of the most common three-bay covered hoppers […]
South Dakota rail board approves $12.6 million loan for soybean plant’s rail project
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Railroad Board will provide $12.6 million for upgrades to rail service at the state’s largest soybeen processing plant. The South Dakota Searchlight reports that the funds, in the form of a loan to the Davison Regional Rail Authority, will be used to build 6.2 miles of rail line, 22 […]
Carload Considerations: What a new administration might mean for railroads in 2025
WASHINGTON — Railroads are winding down the final weeks of 2024 with support from strong international intermodal volumes, a healthy grain harvest, and modest GDP growth at 4% year over year. Economically, inflation is still a problem, as groceries cost more than they did four years ago. Unemployment hangs around 4% and fuel prices are […]
MBTA introduces new mobile app for riders
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has released a new mobile app, MBTA Go, to provide real-time information on all fixed-route train and bus services and improve communications with riders, the agency announced. The initial release is only available for Apple iPhones; release of a version for Android devices is anticipated in February 2025. […]
In Memoriam: John Tews
Longtime Trainfest executive director John Tews passed away on Oct. 10, 2024. He was 81 years old. John, a resident of Milwaukee suburb Sussex, Wis., since the mid-1960s, was a project manager for Wisconsin Electric for 35 years, retiring in 2006. His HO scale Timber River Ry. was featured in the January 1985, November 1992, […]
Incorrectly lined switch led to collision of UP trains at yard in Texas, NTSB determines
WASHINGTON — An incorrectly lined switch — the result of an error by a crew member of a train not involved in the incident — led to a collision between two trains at Union Pacific’s yard in Chico, Texas, on April 16, 2023, the National Transportation Safety Board said in an investigation report released today […]
Built by Others: Dustin Whitten’s Norfolk & Western South Branch
Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader and its associated products. The Virginian project layout first appeared in the pages of Model Railroader in January of 2012. Dustin Whitten’s Norfolk & Western South Branch layout took inspiration from this project […]
RailTrends notebook: Locomotive news, farmers vs. railroads, steam supremacy, and gunbattles
NEW YORK – Here are notes, quotes, and quips from the annual RailTrends conference, held Nov. 14-15. CPKC plans to build more hydrogen fuel cell locomotives Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel says the railway’s handful of hydrogen fuel cell locomotives are proving themselves in revenue service every day. There are a lot more […]