Pittsburgh’s ‘Terrible Trolley’ comes home

Black and yellow PCC trolley car with Pittsburgh Steelers lettering

WASHINGTON, Pa. — An icon of Pittsburgh transit and sports history, the “Terrible Trolley,” has returned to Western Pennsylvania after 25 years in Ohio, with plans for its restoration to operating condition. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has acquired former Pittsburgh Railways Co. Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) car No. 1713, a 1949 product of the St. […]

Read More…

Is extruded-foam insulation board benchwork tricky?

A hand reaches in to move a piece of pink foam board from an N scale layout under construction

Q: What are the drawbacks of extruded-foam insulation board benchwork? Much has changed with model railroading since my childhood. As a retiree, I’m re-entering the hobby with a modest HO scale layout in a 10 x 15-foot room in my garage. I’ve consulted several articles, books, and videos on benchwork, but I’m still uneasy about […]

Read More…

CPKC intermodal train derails in Alberta

CPKC logo

CLUNY, Alberta — “Multiple cars” of a CPKC intermodal train derailed Thursday afternoon in Alberta, a CPKC representative told CTV News. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement today to CTV that 14 cars had derailed. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved. The TSB is investigating and assessing […]

Read More…

Cass Scenic Railroad profile

Cass Scenic Railroad logo

The Cass Scenic Railroad is an authentic mountain logging line operating through the West Virginia forests over rails laid in 1901. Trains depart from Cass, a former lumber mill town, located on the Greenbriar River, and traverse two switchbacks and climb grades up to 11 percent on the journey to Whittaker and Bald Knob. Steam […]

Read More…

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society announces Cigar Train

PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and Fort Wayne cigar and wine store Rudy’s Shop have announced plans for Rudy’s Rolling Smoke, a Cigar Train experience aboard vintage rail equipment to be offered on July 1. Tickets, starting at $199, are now on sale at the Cigar Train page of the […]

Read More…

Saskatchewan announces grants for short line railways

Two red locomotives

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Thirteen provincially regulated short line railways will receive a total of C$530,000 in grants through Saskatchewan’s Short Line Railway Improvement Program, the provincial government announced Thursday. Grants are determined by the trackage of each railway, with the smallest lines, of less than 80 kilometers (50 miles) receiving $25,000. Seven lines — Thunder […]

Read More…

Twenty cars of CN train derail in Saskatchewan

Canadian National logo

FORT QU’APPELLE, Saskatchewan — No injuries were reported after a locomotive and 20 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Wednesday evening near the town of Fort Qu’Appelle, CKOM Radio reports. CN said in a statement to the station that no hazardous materials were involved and no fires occurred as a result. Cars were expected […]

Read More…

BNSF derailment in Arizona leads to Southwest Chief cancellations

Aerial view of derailed auto racks

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Twenty-three cars of a BNSF Railway train carrying new vehicles derailed east of Williams, Ariz., Thursday night, leading to cancellation of Amtrak Southwest Chief service through the area today, KAFF Radio reports. The derailment involving a 167-car train occurred about 11:20 p.m., according to Coconino County Emergency Management. A BNSF representative told […]

Read More…

Steamtown National Historic Site profile

Steam locomotive moving between buildings

The restored Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad shop complex in Scranton is home to one of the most complete railroad history museums known as Steamtown National Historic Site. Located on 66 acres, the park includes outdoor exhibits, tours of a working restoration shop, and train rides behind historic steam and diesel locomotives. It also affords […]

Read More…

Texas State Railroad profile

Texas State Railroad logo

The Texas State Railroad offers a relaxing ride through the piney woods region of east Texas between the towns of Rusk and Palestine. A variety of steam and diesel locomotives pull trains at a leisurely pace, giving riders a glimpse into the railroad’s long history of hauling agricultural and timber products in the early 20th […]

Read More…