Atlas O 1973 Ford F-100 pickup truck

Color photo showing front half of O scale pickup truck painted yellow with red, black, and white graphics and silver wheels on white background.

I grew up in rural northeastern Wisconsin where pickup trucks were (and still are) a common part of the landscape. From farms to small businesses, and downtowns to construction sites, trucks were everywhere. Ford designed the first generation F-100 in 1953 to meet the demand for durable vehicles that could be reliable workhorses, yet comfortable […]

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Is there a compilation of Arduino articles?

Color photo of showing interior of a scale house with an Arduino and wires.

Q: Is there a compilation of Arduino articles written for model railroads that is easily accessed? — Jim Bottomley A: We have two different options that might be of interest to you, Jim. In the Digital Downloads collection on shop.trains.com, we offer “Three Projects Using Arduino Microcontrollers.” The 38-page collection features three articles that previously […]

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Minor UP derailment knocks out power for 17,000

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

STOCKTON, Calif. — A derailment at Union Pacific’s yard in Stockton initially knocked out power for about 17,000 customers today (Feb. 2), but by midday most had their electricity restored. The Stockton Record reports the derailment occurred about 8 a.m. A Union Pacific spokeswoman said three cars of soybean oil derailed and knocked over an […]

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Leased cars from MARC enter service on SEPTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — Ten railcars leased from Maryland are now operating in Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Regional Rail service. Public broadcaster WHYY reports that at least initially, the cars will be used on the Trenton and Trenton West lines during the midday hours. SEPTA leased the cars from the Maryland Area Commuter Rail operation as part […]

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Low-speed derailment disrupts Toronto’s GO Transit

‘Significant’ GO delays following train derailment. Here’s what commuters need to know https://t.co/68YusOu3K8 #Toronto #Transit #TTC #GoTransit #TorontoNews — MyTransit Toronto (@MyTransit_TO) February 2, 2026 TORONTO — GO Transit commuter rail service from Toronto Union Station remains disrupted as of this evening (Feb. 2) after a low-speed derailment involving a GO train earlier today. An […]

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Southern Railway No. 4501 returns in classic green (updated)

Green steam locomotive pulling a passenger excursion train. Southern Railway No. 4501 returns in classic green

CHATTANOOGA,  Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum announced that former Southern Railway No. 4501 will return from its annual inspection wearing the railroad’s classic passenger green paint scheme.  The locomotive will appear as it did when it entered excursion service 60 years ago, in 1966. “In a year when we’re celebrating [the museum’s] 65th […]

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Rail operators prepare for Super Bowl LX

Cab car leading passenger train at station

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco Bay Area’s rail operators are gearing up for Super Bowl LX, set for this Sunday, Feb. 8, at the rail-friendly Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. BART, Caltrain, Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority are offering regular or special operations on game day, as well […]

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STB shuts down as government funding lapses

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Transportation Safety Board are among agencies affected by a partial shutdown of the federal government that began Saturday (Jan. 31). The STB announced today it has suspended operations. During the funding lapse, the STB will not accept or process any filings or […]

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