Thanksgiving in Toronto

Thanksgiving in Toronto was about to begin. Shortly before noon, two teenagers swung down from the Pacific’s cab. Just as they hit the station platform, two peeps came from the cab communication whistle. The fireman turned around, waving a good-bye, and Canadian Pacific train 326 was in motion — 11 minutes away from its final […]

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Convert a large-scale LGB passenger car into a dining car

Model figures in a dining car

By Frederic Williams Rohm and Brian Michelson I grew up in central Pennsylvania where my family had been long-time residents. My garden railroad is based on the Pennsylvania Railroad circa 1900; my grandfather and uncles worked on the PRR. The premier Pennsy passenger train of this era was the Pennsylvania Limited, which began making the […]

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DOT seeks to suspend rule on LNG by Rail

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to suspend a rule allowing movement of liquefied natural gas by rail while it considers potential modifications to the rule. In a notice of proposed rulemaking published Monday in the Federal Register, the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says it would suspend the rule […]

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Nashville Steam to host open house for No. 576 project

Boiler of disassembled steam locomotive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Steam Preservation Society’s fall 2021 open house will be this Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Steam locomotive No. 576, formerly on display in Nashville’s Centennial Park for more than 60 years, has been undergoing a complete mechanical overhaul at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum since March […]

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Wabtec signs deal to build, maintain 100 locomotives for Egypt

Red and white diesels with black trim

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has signed contracts to build 100 ES30ACi Evolution Series locomotives for Egyptian National Railways, as well as a multi-year agreement to maintain the fleet. The dual-cab locomotive is designed for high performance in high-temperature environments. It will be equipped with a 12-cylinder, 3,300-hp engine, A.C. traction, individual axle control, and dynamic brakes. […]

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Infrastructure bill will address safety issues, NTSB says

National Transportation Safety Board logo

WASHINGTON — The infrastructure bill passed by Congress will advance more than a dozen priorities of the National Transportation Safety Board, according to NTSB’s chair. “This is a very big win for transportation safety,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a Monday press release.  “From protecting vulnerable road users to equipping vehicles with advanced drunk […]

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Infrastructure bill addresses Amtrak priorities, congressional requirements

Two railroad tracks exiting one tunnel and entering another

WASHINGTON—The $66 billion set aside for passenger rail in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act holds the promise of jumpstarting projects across the country, but the Federal Railroad Administration still must develop criteria to prioritize which investments receive funding. Those criteria are will have to be determined in the next 180 days, but […]

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Not just Amtrak: Infrastructure bill boosts funding for freight projects, too (updated)

Maroon, gray and yellow locomotive leading train

WASHINGTON – The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature includes significant spending for rail-related projects through 2026, from grants to shore up short line track to a study of Class I railroads’ use of long trains. Amtrak will receive the lion’s share of the rail funding, some $66 billion that would address […]

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BNSF Railway announces vaccination mandate (updated)

BNSF Railway logo

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has become the third Class I railroad to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for workers, citing the Biden Administration’s executive order requiring vaccinations for federal contractors. “While we maintain the decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is a personal one — and have encouraged employees to make the decision that is […]

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Tam Valley Depot owner retiring

Model Railroader placeholder image

Duncan McRee of Tam Valley Depot has announced on his website he has lung cancer and will be retiring immediately to spend time working on his layout. “The rest of the family are going to still make Frog Juicers; Mono, Dual, Hex; Circuit Breakers and DCC Boosters.  All other products are discontinued.  Between Duncan leaving […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, electronics, accessories, and catalog announcements for November 11, 2021

Soo Line Electro-Motive Division SD60M diesel locomotive.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of November 11, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD60M “tri-clops” diesel locomotive. […]

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