WASHINGTON — Lawmakers, mayors, and union members were among those who gathered on Tuesday, Feb. 3 — the third anniversary of the Palestine, Ohio, derailment and hazardous-materials release — for a press conference pushing for passage of rail safety legislation introduced exactly one year earlier. U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Mike Rulli (R-Ohio), and John […]
You can make the best models in the world, but as soon as you can see the layout room wall behind them, they tend to lose their feeling of realism. Adding a backdrop behind your layout is a great way to extend the miniature world beyond what you’ve modeled. Back in part 2 of our […]
WASCO, Calif. — In a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 3, California Gov. Gavin Newsom marked the completion of the Southern Railhead Facility for the California high-speed rail project. The rail yard at the 150-acre site in Kern County near the community of Wasco will be used to receive, store, and distribute materials for track construction […]
EDMONTON, Alberta — Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has signed a contract to build 32 light rail vehicles for the Edmonton Transit Service, its second order for Edmonton. The contract was signed Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Edmonton, CTV News reports. Design will begin later this year with deliveries in 2029 and 2030. The trainsets are part […]
PITTSBURGH — Union Pacific and Wabtec have signed a $1.2 billion agreement to modernize UP AC4400 locomotives, which Wabtec says is the largest locomotive modernization investment in rail industry history. The deal follows a $1 billion order in 2022 to modernize 600 locomotives, the last of which is slated to be delivered this year [see […]
Most pickup trucks aren’t in perfect condition and show signs of wear. When I received the Atlas O 1973 Ford F-100 pickup truck, I had an opportunity to add weathering and custom features. Follow along as I explain what I did, and I hope it will inspire you to try some – or all – […]
NEWARK, N.J. — Former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has joined financial consulting firm Telos Advisors, which describes itself as specializing in complex transportation and infrastructure projects. Gardner will join the company’s strategic advisory board, the company announced on Tuesday, Feb. 3. “Stephen is a seasoned transportation expert with deep experience in railroading and federal transportation […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak has extended cancellations on a number of Midwestern routes for several days following a week of well-publicized ice storms and heavy snows. Those conditions caused thousands of airline cancellations nationwide, as well as the suspension of the City of New Orleans and Texas Eagle for days through the central U.S. [see “Amtrak […]
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Rail creep was detected and track buckling was likely involved in the derailment of a Canadian National grain train near Devlin, Ontario, in June 2025, according to a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation report released today (Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026). The track issues reflect the forces exerted by heavy-tonnage traffic, most […]
NEW YORK — The Gateway Development Commission, overseer of the Northeast Corridor’s Hudson Tunnel Project, has sued the Trump administration over its withholding of project funds, which could cause construction to stop at the end of this week. The suit filed Monday, Feb. 2, in the Court of Federal Claims, says the Department of Transportation […]
Since 2023, 22-year-old Nick Harding has been an active part of the engine crew for the Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 No. 611. The work involves much more than just having smoke rise from the cowled stack. It demands round-the-clock maintenance and repair between operations, ensuring the locomotive is ready for its next trips out […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX has announced the retirement of Chief Administrative Officer Diana Sorfleet and the appointment of Riz Chand as chief human resources officer. Sorfleet retires after almost 15 years with the company, which credits her with a central role in CSX’s people strategy and strengthening its culture. She helped guide the company through […]
