Illinois DOT bows to opposition on sidings for Hiawatha expansion

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Bowing to opposition from the communities of Glenview and Lake Forest, the Illinois Department of Transportation will no longer support plans for two sidings that are part of a plan to increase Amtrak Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee. Patch.com reports that acting IDOT Secretary Omer Osman said in a letter, released […]

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New model trains for the week of May 16, 2019

Accurail HO scale sssorted freight cars

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SDP40F. Amtrak (phase 1 and 3 schemes); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (blue and yellow warbonnet); and BNSF Ry. (Maersk Sealand in one road number, Santa Fe patchout in two numbers). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Prototype-specific details, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current […]

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Repairs complete on San Francisco transit center

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SAN FRANCISCO — Repairs on two cracked beams that led to the closure of the Transbay Transit Center have been completed ahead of schedule, setting the stage for reopening of the $2.2-billion facility. Officials with the Transbay Joint Powers Authority announced Thursday that the repairs were done, KTVU-TV news reports. Previously, the authority had indicated […]

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New model trains for the week of May 9, 2019

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Railway Express Agency steel express refrigerator car

HO scale locomotives Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive. Chicago & North Western (“Route of the 400” slogan); Central RR of New Jersey (red and white, three road numbers); Delaware & Hudson; Milwaukee Road (orange and black with The Milwaukee Road herald on cab); Providence & Worcester (white, orange, and brown); Rock Island (maroon with white pinstripes); […]

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Atlantic & Southern trackside photo gallery

Howard Gallagher’s HO scale Atlantic & Southern Railroad fills an 11 x 13-foot spare bedroom with scenes of heavy industry and mainline railroading. Enjoy this gallery of trackside photos of the A&S, including some of Howard’s custom-painted and detailed locomotives and rolling stock. This layout was also featured in the June 2019 issue of Model […]

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Golden Spike Day on the Westie Line

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The Westie Line today Ken Brody Ken Brody The Summer 2019 issue of Garden Railways features the Westie Line. Don’t miss the six-page feature on this gorgeous line! Owner Ken Brody shared these photographs from 1994, when he re-created a Golden Spike event on his line: These two photos were taken 25 years ago during […]

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Modern streetcars

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A low-floor Alstom Citadis light rail vehicle for United Arab Emirates has minimal truck components so it remains closer to the street. Steve Sweeney Q In the August 2015 issue of Trains, the article on Alstom light rail mentioned continuous low floors as a design feature. How does Alstom make this work? – Jack Munro, […]

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Golden Spike Day on the Westie Line

westie_line

The Westie Line today Ken Brody Ken Brody The Summer 2019 issue of Garden Railways features the Westie Line. Don’t miss the six-page feature on this gorgeous line! Owner Ken Brody shared these photographs from 1994, when he re-created a Golden Spike event on his line: These two photos were taken 25 years ago during […]

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