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KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The annual CSX Santa Train trip is set for Saturday, Nov. 22, the railroad has announced. The 83rd running of the train, a tradition dating to 1943, will again feature a 110-mile trip from Shelbiana, Ky., to Kingsport, distributing more than 15 tons of toys, gifts, and winter apparel to thousands of […]
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are expected to make another attempt to address the budget deficit facing Chicago transit agencies during a veto session that begins today (Oct. 14, 2025) — although it remains to be seen if the issue will have the same amount of urgency since the size of the deficit has been […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has distributed more than $4 million in grants to 430 nonprofit organizations across its system as part of its Community Ties Giving Program, the railroad announced Monday (Oct. 13). Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000, and support what the railroad says are its giving priorities: safety, workforce development, community vitality, […]
Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]
Hear about the future of MTH Electric Trains directly from company principals Rich Foster and Bradley DeLeon. Even as MTH founder Mike Wolf annouced his retirement, Rich had a plan to keep the company going. Today, custom/specialty products now account for about 30% of the business. MTH has also made commitments to its RailKing One Gauge […]
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 […]
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 […]
WASHINGTON — Beleaguered commuter railroads — which are being hit by the double whammy of funding cuts and lower ridership since the pandemic — are seeking breathing room regarding liability insurance coverage. The Commuter Rail Coalition is cheering a bipartisan bill that would give commuter railroads 60 additional days to secure additional excess liability coverage […]
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, […]
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, […]
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. […]
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, […]
