Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, structure, and decal announcements for December 24, 2020

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, structures, decals, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroad editors have news on for the week of Dec. 24, 2020. HO scale locomotives Union Pacific gas turbine with tender. Nos. 64 […]

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News Wire Top 10 stories of 2020: Nos. 2-4

Continuing the Trains News Wire countdown of 2020’s top stories: No. 4: The PTC deadline It was a long, expensive process, but the railroad industry has met the huge technological challenge of positive train control. When NJ Transit announced on Dec. 18 that its PTC system had been certified, it meant the last railroad considered […]

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Digest: Investigation begins into BNSF derailment and fire

More Wednesday morning rail news: Investigation begins into BNSF derailment, fire Fires were under control but continuing to burn late Monday at the site of a BNSF oil train derailment in Custer, Wash., as a host of agencies began their investigation into the accident. The Bellingham Herald reports those on scene included representatives of the […]

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News Wire Top 10 stories of 2020: Nos. 5-7

Continuing the Trains News Wire countdown of the Top 10 rail stories of 2020: No. 7: Alstom purchases Bombardier Two of the major suppliers of passenger and transit equipment in North America and Europe are combining, with French-based Alstom purchasing the rail business of Montreal-based Bombardier Transportation. The deal, announced in February, creates the second-largest […]

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NTSB issues recommendation for increased use of buffer cars on hazardous-material trains

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending increased use of buffer cars in trains with DOT-111 tank cars carrying hazardous materials as a result of investigations into two derailments. The recommendation issued Tuesday recommends at least five non-placarded cars be placed between locomotives or occupied equipment and those carrying hazardous materials, regardless of […]

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Model railroad locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and details announcements for December 17, 2020

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, structures, electronics, train sets, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroad editors have news on for the week of Dec. 17, 2020. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD40 diesel locomotive. Atchison, […]

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N scale Bone Valley v. 2

The layout at a glance Name: Bone Valley Layout owner: Alex Marchand Scale: N (1:160) Size: 6′-7″ x 7′-0″ Prototype: CSX/Seaboard System Locale: West Central Florida Era: late 1980s Style: multilevel, gallery Mainline run: 40 feet Minimum radius: 12″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: extruded-foam insulation board on 1 x 2 frame […]

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Railroads ride intermodal surge, with strong demand expected to continue

BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Union Pacific all set intermodal volume records in November as imports surged, retailers continued to restock depleted inventories, and consumer spending and e-commerce remained strong. The other big Class I systems — Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and Norfolk Southern — were handling intermodal volumes at near-record levels. “It’s a perfect […]

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Digest: Suspect charged in rifle incident on Metra platform

Suspect charged for allegedly firing rifle on Metra platform A suspect has been charged with three felonies after allegedly firing a rifle on the platform of the McCormick Place station on the Metra Electric line earlier this month. In a press release, Metra reports Shawn A. Kimbrough, 40, of Chicago was charged with aggravated unlawful […]

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Digest: Amtrak adds digital payment options

Amtrak adds digital payment options Amtrak is adding new digital payment options on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak smartphone apps, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. Each can be used for tickets and other purchases, and can be saved on customer profiles as a preferred payment option. “We know every minute counts for our customers […]

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