Big Steam bringing Holiday cheer in 2025

Steam locomotive in front of crowds of people

It’s that magical time of year: The weather outside is frightful, but the steam locomotive’s fire is so delightful! While most of North America’s large locomotives have concluded their operating seasons and are undergoing winterization, maintenance and repairs, a select few will remain active in November and December, bringing Holiday cheer to close out the […]

Read More…

Cleanup continues following CPKC derailment near Kamloops

Aerial vew of derailed railroad cars, including some in lake, and equipment deployed to contain spilled fuel.

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia — Approximately 80,700 liters of aviation fuel (about 21,320 gallons) was spilled as a result of the Nov. 1 derailment of a CPKC train along Kamloops Lake, British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Parks says in its latest update. An official told the local news site Castanet Kamloops that the leading theory […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

Read More…

U.S. weekly rail traffic again below 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remained below 2024 levels for the week ending Nov. 1, 2025, the fourth straight week below previous-year figures. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 496,928 carloads and intermodal unites, down 3.9% from the corresponding week a year ago. That figure included 227,209 […]

Read More…

Dauphin Rail Museum shelters VIA Rail passengers

Streamlined passenger train stopped at station.

DAUPHIN, Manitoba, Canada — At 101 First Ave., N., stands the former Canadian Northern Railway station built in 1912. Often called “Manitoba’s most beautiful station,” the building is of the Château style and is covered in local Tyndall stone. The Dauphin Rail Museum occupied the baggage room, telling the story of the region’s railroads. Outside, […]

Read More…

LA’s Metrolink sets annual Holiday Express trains

People in pajamas or holiday clothing waiting to board train

LOS ANGELES — Tickets are now on sale — and some are already sold out — for Metrolink’s annual Holiday Express trains, set to operate during three December weekends at sites in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. The trains feature round trips of approximately 75 minutes, featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, […]

Read More…

Atlas HO scale EMD SD35

Color photo showing nose of HO scale six-axle hood unit painted bright green and white with black graphics on white background.

Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $189.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $294.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Detailed cab interior with crew figures Die-cast metal underframe Five-pole skewed […]

Read More…

‘Cameron Christmas Train’ returns to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan

For the second consecutive year, Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Little River Railroad, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will play host to the Cameron Christmas Train, a three-day tour of northeastern Indiana, southeastern Michigan, and western Ohio set for Nov. 20-22 to mark the holiday season and deliver gifts to families along the route. The […]

Read More…