New model trains for the week of September 17, 2020

HO scale locomotives Union Pacific DDA40X diesel locomotive. Early anti-climbers and electrical cabinets, smoke lifters, and “Union Pacific Railroad” herald; early anti-climbers and electrical cabinets with “Railroad” patched out on herald; and late anti-climbers and electrical cabinets, beacon, cab-mounted air horn, and “Union Pacific” herald in two road numbers per scheme. Cab-mounted dual strobe lights, […]

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Class I railroad executives tout rebound of intermodal traffic

CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific executives touted strong domestic intermodal growth during an investor conference today, noting that volumes are now running above pre-pandemic levels. UP’s intermodal traffic is up nearly 8% so far in the third quarter, boosted by double-digit percentage growth in parcel and truckload shipments due to e-commerce and the […]

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New model trains for the week of September 10, 2020

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive. Athearn 75th anniversary (one road number); Arizona & California (Genesee & Wyoming scheme, two road numbers); Burlington Northern (1990s scheme with road number on long hood in two numbers; with herald and lettering on long hood in one number); Canadian Pacific (dual flags scheme, three numbers); Ferromex […]

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Five railroads respond to joint STB-FRA letter

Five Class I railroads have now responded to last month’s joint letter from the Surface Transportation Board and Federal Railroad Adminstration, mostly in general terms assuring the two agencies that they are prepared for an upsurge in traffic. The letter to CEOs at the seven Class I roads asked railroads to ensure they have sufficient […]

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CN works to build ‘intermodal of the future’

MONTREAL — Canadian National is working to build what it’s calling “intermodal of the future” by experimenting with terminal improvements and fully integrating the operations and people from its recent trucking-company acquisitions. “We know that in order to compete down the road with the truck, that we have to not only be safer, more efficient […]

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New model trains for the week of September 3, 2020

HO scale locomotives Canadian National RSC-14 diesel locomotive. Canadian National (“wet noodle” herald and stripes schemes). Five road numbers per scheme. Redesigned chassis and shell for easier access and disassembly; operating headlights, rear lights, bi-color class lights, and illuminated cab control stand; metal side handrails with plastic stanchions; and detailed cab interior with control stand, […]

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New model trains for the week of August 27, 2020

HO scale locomotives United States Railroad Administration 0-6-0 steam locomotive. Pre-production artwork shown. Baltimore & Ohio, Central RR of New Jersey, New York Central System, Pennsylvania RR, and Union Pacific. Dual-mode TCS WOWSound Sound Value decoder with Keep-Alive capacitor, operating headlight, metal side rods, and E-Z Mate Mark II couplers. $329. Release date to be […]

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With ridership slow in returning, Metra considers next moves during pandemic

CHICAGO — With Metra ridership still at just 9% of pre-COVID-19 levels, the Chicago-area commuter railroad continues to seek a path to operational and financial stability. “The road to recovery is still unknown,” said Bruce Marcheschi, Metra’s chief operating officer, speaking at an online conference hosted by the American Public Transportation Association. Future passenger counts […]

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Metra unveils C&NW heritage locomotive

Locomotive news in brief: Metra C&NW heritage unit debuts Chicago commuter railroad Metra has unveiled its latest heritage locomotive. Metra F59PHI No. 90 was released Monday from the company’s paint booth in a Chicago & North Western-inspired scheme. The design incorporates elements of C&NW’s paint scheme worn on early passenger diesel locomotives such as EMD’s […]

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