Menards JimBo’s Gym

front of model structure

It’s the new year and time for many to follow through on a popular new year’s resolution—heading to the gym. Menards has got you covered with their latest structure release, JimBo’s Gym (275-9253). This modern-format building measures 10 ½” long, 5 ¾” wide, and 6 ½” tall. It’s a two-story brick and glass structure that’s […]

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Reading & Northern again sees significant freight, passenger growth

Green and yellow locomotives lead freight train

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern saw double-digit growth in both freight and passenger traffic in 2023, the second consecutive year with such increases, the railroad said in a year-end business review. The Pennsylvania regional railroad handled more than 37,000 cars of freight, up from 33,000 in 2022. Growth was boosted in particular by […]

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Metra to close remaining ticket windows

Commuter train passes end of intermodal train

CHICAGO —Metra will close its remaining ticket windows in conjunction with the upcoming revision of its fare structure, the commuter operator has announced. Ticket windows at outlying stations on the BNSF line will close next Monday, Jan. 8; all other ticket windows, including at downtown stations, will close effective Feb. 1, when the new, simplified […]

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Canada’s Waterloo Central purchases Canadian Pacific 4-6-2

Men with oversized check next to steam locomotive

WATERLOO, Ontario — The Waterloo Central Railway has purchased former Canadian Pacific Railway G5c 4-6-2 No. 1238 and intends to restore the locomotive to operation, according to the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society, the nonprofit organization that operates the heritage railway. The locomotive was purchased for $150,000 from Vintage Locomotive Society Inc. of Winnipeg, Manitoba, […]

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CSX’s eighth heritage locomotive honors the New York Central

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX’s eighth heritage locomotive is a salute to the New York Central. The ES44AH, which carries No. 1853 for the Central’s founding year, made its debut today. It took the Waycross, Ga., paint shop crew 22 days to adorn the locomotive with the Central’s classic lightning stripe scheme. The New York Central […]

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Atlas O Premier streamlined passenger cars

Cover image of Atlas O Premier December 2023 catalog featuring streamlined passenger cars.

Atlas O Premier streamlined passenger cars were the subject of a surprise product announcement in late December. The manufacturer will be offering the 70-foot cars in two- and four-car sets as well as single cars, all in multiple paint schemes. Four-car sets Atlas O will be offering six four-car sets. Paint schemes include Delaware & […]

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The invisible railroad problem: Analysis

A side view of a train passing a rural grade crossing with railroad crossing sign, a lowered gate, and flashing red warning lights

Why is it that no one notices railroads until there’s a derailment, blocked grade crossing, or a massive supply chain problem like we saw in 2022? If it weren’t for bad press railroads wouldn’t get any at all. It’s as if the railroad industry – all 140,000 miles of it – is invisible until things […]

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New HO hopper from Tangent Scale Models

Color photo of HO scale hopper painted black with orange and white graphics.

Tangent Scale Models kicked off 2024 with a splash by releasing a new HO scale four-bay hopper. The model, based on an Illinois Central (IC) Centralia Shops 3,834-cubic-foot capacity prototype, features injection-molded plastic construction, wire grab irons and uncoupling levers, and road-specific details. Paint schemes Paint schemes on the initial release of the Centralia Shops […]

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Tracks Mentoring offering scholarships to teenagers

logo of website for New Tracks Modeling

New Tracks Mentoring, Inc. is pleased to announce that they will award three $2,000.00 scholarships in 2024, including the special $2,000.00 scholarship provided by the NMRA PCR Region. All young model railroaders who will be either a high school graduate in 2024, or are already a high school graduate and pursuing a STEAM degree from […]

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