Wabtec completes acquisition of Austrian signaling company

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has strengthened its Digital Intelligence business by finalizing the acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group GmbH, a signaling technology company that offers train detection, wayside object control solutions, and axle counting systems. “This strategic acquisition is another step in executing Wabtec’s long-term growth strategy, which will provide enhanced value for our customers, […]

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BNSF asks STB to review UP’s compliance with UP-SP merger conditions

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway has asked the Surface Transportation Board to review Union Pacific’s compliance with conditions that the board imposed to preserve competition after UP’s 1996 acquisition of Southern Pacific. Due to considerable overlap between the UP and SP systems, the STB granted BNSF the ability to serve customers at so-called 2-to-1 locations, where […]

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The N scale Milwaukee Road North Montana Line

When I cut a hole in the living room wall in order to expand my N scale railroad into the hallway beyond, I thought that was as large a model railroad as I would ever own. I was just happy that my wife agreed to my bizarre suggestion (see “Harlowton, Montana, in N scale,” ­Model […]

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Three times around the Christmas tree track plan

screenshot of track plan

In the December 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains, then-Editor Neil Besougloff presented his design for a “three times around the tree” layout. It has since become a favorite with many readers and has inspired several holiday layouts. We’re presenting Neil’s original plan, featuring Lionel O-42 tubular track curves, a tunnel, and a 45-degree crossing. […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for December 2025

blue model log car

Locomotives & rolling stock Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, has an Operating Log Dump Car as part of the Premier line. The car includes an operating dump mechanism, a load of logs, and O-31 operation (3001968 shown). Requires one piece of No. 6097 Accessory Rails track for operation (not […]

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Rio Grande Southern No. 20 visits Durango

Steam locomotive on a flatbed trailer in a mountain pass.

DURANGO, Colo. — Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 No. 20 recently traveled from its home at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The trip, aboard a semitruck, took the locomotive over Colorado’s 10,222-foot-high Lizard Head Pass, where it once operated. No. 20 last crossed this pass in the […]

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Bauer named as CEO of Siemens Mobility North America

Smiling dark-haired man in black sweater and white shirt

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tobias Bauer has been named president and CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. The appointment, announced last week, is effective today (Dec. 1, 2025). Bauer, who has been with Siemens for more than 20 years, will lead more than 4,500 employees in the U.S. and Canada. “We’re delighted to name Tobias Bauer […]

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Evacuation order lifted following British Columbia derailment

CPKC logo

CRANBROOK, British Columbia — The evacuation order stemming from a CPKC derailment near Cranbrook has been lifted. The Cranbrook Townsman reports the order, covering five properties along the Kootenay River, was lifted Saturday evening (Nov. 29). It had been issued about 12:30 p.m. following a Saturday morning derailment involving an estimated 12 cars, including some […]

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