MPI work now fully relocated to Wabtec plant in Erie

ERIE, Pa. — At first glance the 111-year-old locomotive plant built by General Electric in Erie looks no different, but new signs emphasize GE is no longer part of Erie. A new era has begun. So what is happening in Erie more than a year after Wabtec took control? The biggest change includes the integration […]

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Birmingham (U.K.) out as 2022 NMRA host

The ripple effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted another National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) National Convention. Birmingham, England, scheduled to host the 2022 NMRA National Convention, announced that it will no longer be able to host the event. Birmingham’s decision to back out as host was driven by scheduling conflicts with another event […]

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New model trains for the week of May 28, 2020

HO scale locomotives 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio; Chesapeake & Ohio; Great Northern; New York Central; Pennsylvania RR; and Union Pacific. One road number per scheme. Die-cast metal boiler and frame with brass details, light-emitting-diode headlights, can motor, and front and rear metal couplers. Can be controlled with […]

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Sideswipe survivor

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The remains of Santa Fe GP38 No. 3552 lie in a ditch following a sideswipe incident at Booth, Texas, on April 14, 1973. A southbound train struck the rear cars of a northbound train. The subsequent derailment and fire destroyed three GP38s. Steve Patterson photo […]

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U-boats on the Fall Brook

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Snow begins to melt on an early spring day in 1974 as two six-axle General Electric “U-boats” head south along Seneca Lake at Geneva, N.Y., on the former New York Central “Fall Brook” line. Ken Kraemer photo […]

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Universal rival

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The U23B was General Electric’s competitor to the EMD GP38. The little U-boat has a 12-cylinder FDL engine, necessitating six tall engine access doors on each side. Buyers included Santa Fe, Conrail, Delaware & Hudson, Lehigh Valley, Milwaukee Road (pictured), Monon, Penn Central, Western Pacific, and others. Most rode on AAR type B trucks, but […]

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Overseas Alco

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For World War II, the U.S. military adopted a six-axle variation of Alco’s 1941 RS1 for overseas duty. U.S. Army No. 8052 is shown at Tehran, Iran, in 1945. Alco photo […]

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Man and machine

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At Works Tower in Altoona, Pa., a fresh crew gets ready to take Chicago-bound Pennsylvania Railroad piggyback train TT1 west. Unseen, car inspectors check for loose tie-down bracing on the trailers. GP9 No. 7000 is preserved at the Cape May Seashore Lines in New Jersey. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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White Pass & Yukon receives second new locomotive NEWSWIRE

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The second of the White Pass & Yukon’s new diesels arrives in Skagway, Alaska, on Monday. White Pass & Yukon Tuesday morning rail news in brief: — The White Pass & Yukon has received the second in its order of 10 new locomotives. National Railway Equipment E3000CC-DC No. 3001 arrived in Skagway, Alaska, by ship […]

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KCS unveils ‘Salute to Heroes” locomotive NEWSWIRE

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Kansas City Southern has released specially painted SD70ACe No. 4009, saluting railroad and other essential workers. Kansas City Southern Monday afternoon rail news in brief: — Kansas City Southern has unveiled a locomotive saluting “the heroes throughout our network and beyond — especially railroad employees,” according to a Facebook post. SD70ACe No. 4009 wears a […]

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