WASHINGTON – The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, has asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to deny Brightline Florida any additional federal funding, arguing that the company has sought to block its employees from joining a union. The TWU, in a Sept. 19 letter to Buttigieg, noted that nearly 100 Brightline onboard service personnel are […]
Section: News & Reviews
World’s largest rail exhibition returns: InnoTrans opens in Berlin
BERLIN — InnoTrans – the largest rail trade fair in the world, held every two years in the German capital city opened its doors for its 2024 edition on Sept. 24. Exhibitors number 2,940 representing 59 countries are occupying the entire exhibition grounds at the Berlin trade fair exhibition centre which is also equipped with […]
Jay Leno puts Union Pacific Big Boy and steam program in the spotlight
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014, the railroad’s heritage fleet, and steam program boss Ed Dickens are featured in the latest episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” the former “Tonight Show” host’s YouTube program. UP and the National Park Foundation welcomed Leno and his film crew on the Missouri Valley to Dennison, Iowa, portion of […]
Menards Cripple Creek Feed & Seed
The town of Cripple Creek expands! The latest addition to Menards Cripple Creek O gauge building line is the No. 275-9378 Cripple Creek Feed & Seed building. It features a compact 8 x 6 inch footprint that should make placement fairly easy. The design is a small farm supplier that is more warehouse than office. […]
News & Products for the week of September 23rd 2024
News & Products for the week of September 23rd 2024 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 September 23rd […]
Amtrak combines Capitol Limited, Silver Star to create the new Floridian (updated)
WASHINGTON — Amtrak is temporarily combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the new Floridian. Amtrak says the change is due to the upcoming East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project in New York. During this project, one tunnel tube will be closed at a time, minimizing service impacts, maximizing construction access and modernizing the tunnel infrastructure to […]
Railroads gear up for safety week activities across North America
WASHINGTON – The “See Tracks, Think Trains Week,” which kicks off today and runs through Sunday, aims to enhance public safety by raising awareness about the importance of staying safe around railroad tracks. More than 95% of all rail-related deaths involve drivers going through grade crossings or a person on the tracks, according to the […]
Soybean processing plant opens on Watco’s South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
CHERRYVALE, Kan. – Bartlett, a Savage Company, is beginning operations at its new soybean processing plant in Cherryvale, Kan., which is served by Watco’s 458.7-mile South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad. The plant will handle up to 49 million bushels of soybeans annually, providing sustainable soy feedstocks for refined vegetable oil, animal feed and renewable transportation […]
USA Track LLC Super Standard gauge track
USA Track LLC has been in business for 15 years, manufacturing Standard gauge track. Owners Kirk Lindvig and Chris Bogus offer four diameters of curve track and four lengths of straight track. All components of USA Track are made in the U.S. Classic Toy Trains received four pieces of the Super Standard gauge track. It’s […]
Brightline aims to succeed: First Orlando year with more capacity on the way
ORLANDO — One year after Brightline initiated hourly service from South Florida to Orlando International Airport on Sept. 22, 2023, five new “Smart” coaches are beginning the cross-country journey from their birthplace at Siemens’ Sacramento, Calif., factory. They are the first batch of another 30 cars, 20 “Smart” and 10 “Premium” coaches, that will help […]
Evans Auto-Railer to join National Capital Trolley Museum’s collection
COLESVILLE, Md. — A unique predecessor to the renowned hi-rail vehicle has recently hit the road for a renewal in its preservation odyssey. The National Capital Trolley Museum announced in a Sept. 17 post on Facebook and Instagram the acquisition of Evans Auto-Railer No. 109. The 1936-built vehicle was transported on Sept. 9 on a […]
Missouri’s Columbia Terminal to upgrade track in $4 million project
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Funding is secured for municipally owned Columbia Terminal to upgrade track following the securement of a $3.2 million federal grant, KOMU-TV reports. The city will also contribute $800,000 to bring the project total up to $4 million. “We’re replacing some of the track into a heavier grade track that can carry […]