News & Products for the week of August 28th 2023

News & Products for the week of August 28th 2023   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 August 28th […]

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The return of the MTH RS11

side view of dark green diesel locomotive

The return of the MTH RS11: Making its first return to the MTH Premier Line since 2019, the Alco RS11 brings with it the grit and grind that we’ve come to love from Alco locomotives. From the unique angles on the frame to the cranking engine effects, this model will quickly become a favorite road […]

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Diesel-electric locomotives have streetcar roots

A red diesel locomotive leads a train of grain hopper cars through an series of curves in a tree-covered hill scape

It’s strange but true: Diesel-electric locomotives have streetcar roots. With diesel locomotives rapidly replacing steam locomotives in the years after World War II, it’s easy to imagine diesels as a natural evolution of the steam locomotive. The fact is, there was almost no transfer of technology. The melodious steam whistle was replaced by a blaring […]

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How Amtrak services fared with summer travel surge: Analysis

Passenger train with converted locomotive cab car leading.

WASHINGTON — Though Amtrak ridership for June and July 2023 did not reach pre-pandemic levels for the same months in 2019, a review of company statistics shows systemwide revenue beat the total for those months thanks to strong performance from Northeast Corridor and long-distance service. Frequency and capacity played a part in the performance shown […]

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Dieselmotive buys former Gettysburg Railroad F7s

Black and yellow F-unit in yard, with another visible behind Norfolk Southern diesel

Dieselmotive Co, Inc. of Turlock, Calif., has purchased two former Gettysburg Railroad F7s last operated in 2013, with an eye toward returning the locomotives to freight service. The two units, last used by the Pioneer Lines short line in Gettsysburg, Pa., in 2013, are en route to a short line in Kansas for evaluation and […]

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Rocky Mountaineer resumes regular operations in Canada

A Rocky Mountaineer train

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia — Rocky Mountaineer tour train service resumed its normal schedule in Canada as of Sunday, Aug. 27, following several days of disruptions, the company reports. Some departures had been cancelled as a result of wildfires in British Columbia, as well as an emergency order by British Columbia government that restricted non-essential travel […]

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Unusual locomotives – Hawaii

yellow and green locomotive in Hawaii

In many states, finding an operating Whitcomb 45-ton centercab switcher isn’t that unusual. But in Hawaii, which eschewed railroading in general decades ago, any operating locomotive is unusual. Working railroads anywhere in the islands are pretty much non-existent, with visitors having to be content with railway historical societies, museums, and private attractions. You’ll find one […]

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