An interview with MTH Electric Trains

Model train products together

In 2020, MTH Electric Trains President Mike Wolf announced his May 2021 retirement and the subsequent closure of the company after 40 years in business. It’s now 2025, and MTH remains alive and well, continuing to produce products for the model railroad and toy train industry at a more modest pace in O, Standard, and […]

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MxV Rail opens registration for AAR’s 2026 Research Review

PUEBLO, Colo. — The Association of American Railroads and MxV Rail have opened registration for the 31st Annual AAR Research Review, a conference that brings together Class I and short line railroads, university faculty and students, early-career engineers, and suppliers from around the world to address the industry’s most pressing technical challenges. The 2026 Annual […]

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Young Guns in Preservation: Anderson Pries

Young individual looking out from the control stand of a trolley

Any amount of assistance can make a sizable impact for any museum, tourist railroad or organization, no matter where that help is coming from. A prime example is Anderson Pries, who volunteers at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, Ill. The 15-year-old serves as a collector, who assists the conductor during trolley rides, […]

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News & Products for the week of October 13th 2025

A set of various model passenger cars in colorful paint schemes

News & Products for the week of October 13th 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of October 13th, […]

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Wilmington & Western says it will resume operations

Logo of Wilmington & Western Railroad

WILMINGTON, Del. — Heritage railroad Wilmington & Western, which shut down suddenly earlier this year, has announced it is returning to operation, with its first trips scheduled for later this month. A pop-up message on the railroad website says, “After a spring and summer dedicated to maintenance and improvements, we’re ready to welcome back riders. […]

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LCCA Lionel Kid’s Club celebrates 15 years

LCCA Kid's Club logo with kids and lion

The Lionel Kid’s Club by Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026.  According to the Kid’s Club Coordinator Patrick Cudzilo, “Our Kid’s Club is focused on keeping today’s youth involved in the model train hobby for years to come. They are the future of the hobby.”  Founded in 2011, […]

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NJ Transit suspends service on two rail lines because of storm

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has suspended service on two commuter rail lines today (Monday, Oct. 13) because of a storm expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding. An advisory on the agency’s website says North Jersey Coast Line service is suspended between Bay Head and Long Branch — the 10 southernmost […]

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Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel

Color photo showing front of HO scale center-cab diesel painted red with yellow and black graphics and silver trucks on white background.

Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speakers, $199.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder and MoPower capacitor system, $309.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel features: Coreless motor with dual flywheels Direct-current models have factory-installed speakers […]

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BLET members ratify new contract on Metra UP lines

Commuter train led by cab car passes intermodal train

CHICAGO — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen who operate on Metra’s Union Pacific lines have ratified a new contract, the BLET said on Friday (Oct. 10, 2025). The contract, which calls for a 3.5% wage increase, was ratified by a 60-1 vote. The pay increases will take effect no later than […]

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