Leave trucks loose on model railroad freight cars

A screwdriver tightens a screw holding a truck to the bottom of a green boxcar

Q: I’ve been a reader for several years, but don’t recall reading about the tightness of truck screws before your November issue. In “How to weather a covered cement hopper,” Cody Grivno writes, “One [truck] screw should be tight enough that the truck rotates freely but doesn’t wobble. The other should be loose enough that […]

Read More…

How to cut track

David Popp in the studio

Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use!     […]

Read More…

Weeping Norway spruce

A spruce on a garden railroad

Common name: Weeping Norway spruce 
Latin name: Picea abies ‘Pendula’ Plant type: dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Plant height: 18″ if prostrate; 10-12′ if staked Dark, evergreen needles on drooping soft branches make weeping Norway spruce an attractive specimen tree. Garden railroaders […]

Read More…

Alaska Railroad part of effort seeking $100 million in federal funds to build spur

Circular Alaska Railroad logo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad is joining in an effort to acquire $100 million in federal infrastructure funding to build a new 18-mile spur to serve a liquefied natural gas plant near Anchorage. The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reports the Matanuska Susitna Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and Interior Gas Utility are also part of […]

Read More…

Metra asks court to revisit ruling on UP dispute

Metra_UP_Winthrop_Lassen

CHICAGO — Metra is seeking review of a September federal court ruling that Union Pacific is not obligated to continue operating rail service for the Chicago-area commuter operator. The Cook County Record reports Metra is arguing U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso committed a “manifest injustice” in a September ruling that UP has no common-carrier obligation […]

Read More…

Alaska Railroad to require vaccinations

Circular Alaska Railroad logo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Telling employees it does not have a choice because of a federal executive order, the Alaska Railroad has announced a vaccine requirement for its employees and set a Dec. 8 deadline for workers to be fully vaccinated. The website Must Read Alaska has published a letter to railroad employees from CEO Bill O’Leary […]

Read More…

Union Pacific begins incentive program at Long Beach intermodal facility as ports announce new fees

Union Pacific logo with Building America slogan

LOS ANGELES — Union Pacific is launching an incentive program as part of the effort to address supply chain congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, offering a $60 refund on container fees on weekends for containers in-gated to its Intermodal Container Transfer Facility in Long Beach, Calif. The monetary carrot from […]

Read More…

KCS announces partnership for new vehicle distribution facility in central Mexico

Rendering of terminal for shipping and receiving automobiles

KANSAS CITY — Kansas City Southern will collaborate on a vehicle distribution center in Central Mexico capable of handling up to 10,000 vehicles when fully built out, the railroad has announced. The facility will handle both inbound and outbound vehicle traffic. KCS will collaborate with Suministros Industriales Potosinos SA de CV (SIPSA) and TransDevelopment Group […]

Read More…

Anacostia Rail Holdings creates advisory board

Anacostia Rail Holdings logo

CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holdings, operator of railroads including Pacific Harbor Line, New York & Atlantic, and the Chicago South Shore & South Bend, has created an advisory board to assist the company in developing and achieving strategic objectives. Members of the board will be: — Ronald Batory, former president of the Belt Railway of […]

Read More…