Forces outside the control of shipping firms have caused these companies to move containers from ships to trains around the globe in recent weeks. While drought has spurred the move on the 47-mile Panama Canal Railway [see “Maersk shifts some container traffic …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 11, 2024], the ongoing conflict in the Middle […]
Last week, the model railway community was surprised to learn of the closure of Hattons Model Railways, a renowned United Kingdom-based model railways manufacturer and distributor. In the ensuing days, questions have arisen regarding the future of M.B. Klein, also known as Model Train Stuff. It was announced in September of 2023 that M.B. Klein […]
PARIS — Four nearly 80-year-old, Baldwin-built diesel locomotives have been scrapped in France after preservation efforts failed. Two of the units were scrapped in December, following the scrapping of two similar diesels earlier in 2023. The locomotives were part of the effort to resupply French Railways (SNCF) following World War II, when it lost more […]
The Panama Canal Railway, which saw a 20% increase in container traffic last summer due to drought conditions affecting water levels in the Panama Canal, got another boost this week. Maersk, the largest container shipping line, announced yesterday that shipments bound to and from Australia and New Zealand are being diverted to the Panama Canal […]
After 77 years in the model railway business, Hattons Model Railways has announced its upcoming closure. Hattons Model Railways opened in 1946 and has produced its own models, distributed other manufacturers’ products, purchased and sold pre-owned collections, and staffed a brick-and-mortar store. The exact date of closing is not known yet, but it will be […]
Europe’s biggest rail freight companies are facing major challenges in 2024, despite efforts by politicians to encourage more freight movement by rail and less by road. In some countries, new ownership or new companies are challenging established operators and providing business opportunities for smaller companies. In most of Europe, the biggest rail freight company is […]
Rigi Railways MOUNT RIGI, Switzerland — There are more than two dozen cog railways in Switzerland, according to Wikipedia; you could build an entire trip around seeking out the highest, steepest, narrowest gauge, and various other superlatives. The Rigi Railways could make that list for a couple of reasons — it’s the oldest rack railway […]
LONDON — The operator of the seasonal steam excursion known as the “Harry Potter train” has lost a court bid to block actions by British regulators, leaving in doubt the future of its operation of the celebrated train in the Scottish Highlands. West Coast Railways operates the train officially known as The Jacobite, which appears […]
Latin name: Solenostemon scutellarioides Common name: Miniature coleus Growth rate: Varies Plant type: Annual Cultural needs: Full sun to partial shade, moderate water Coleus plants aren’t just for windowsills and border edging anymore. Hundreds of exciting varieties are now available from specialty growers, offering an amazing array of colors and textures for gardens everywhere. Miniature […]
A major accident in the world’s longest rail tunnel, and the continuing role of railways in the Ukraine war, comprise the second part of our look at the top international rail stories of 2023. Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel closed The derailment of a freight train in the world’s longest rail tunnel on Aug. 10 led […]
The year 2023 has seen major new rail lines enter service around the world, with new high-speed lines opening as far apart as Spain and Indonesia. High speed developments weren’t quite as positive in the United Kingdom, where part of the HS2 system was axed by the government. And new railway technology, in the form […]
New train fleets and new long-distance overnight services are highlights of the annual European timetable change which took place Dec. 10. The growth of the night-train network — after decades of relative decline from the 1980s to around a decade ago — is largely due to the growth in demand for sustainable travel, with many […]
