Poll finds strong support for Caltrain

Front view of two red-and-white EMU trainsets

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — A new poll shows strong general support for Caltrain, as well as support for funding for the commuter rail operation in the wake of its launch of electrified operation. The poll, presented on Wednesday, Feb. 26, to a meeting of Caltrain’s Advocacy and Major Projects Committee, shows 82% of likely voters […]

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U.S. weekly rail volume falls compared to 2024

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic fell below 2024 levels for the week ending Feb. 22, 2025, ending a string of three weeks where traffic was ahead of prior-year levels. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, total volume was 458,514 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.1% from the same week a year ago. […]

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Railroad Development Corp., UK’s TDI Greenway announce partnership

NEW YORK — Pittsburgh’s Railroad Development Corp. and British firm TDI Greenway have announced an investment partnership that will result in a merger between RDC’s Pop Up Metro venture and TDI’s light rail business. TDI Greenway, with more than 30 years in the rail industry, is involved in design and deployment of lightweight rail vehicles and […]

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Erie Turntable announces plans for 2025 events

People and equipment at museum site

PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — Non-profit initiative Erie Turntable has announced its lineup of events for 2025, including plans for the inaugural Orange County Transportation Festival in August. The Port Jervis turntable site, leased by Erie Turntable parent organization TOYX, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from May 10 through Oct. 12 from noon to 4 […]

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Acela trip cancellations continue

Acela trainset passing under street bridge

Equipment issues have led to the cancellation of one Acela round trip between Boston and Washington today (Feb. 26), after two round trips were cancelled on Tuesday. Also, two Michigan Service trains have been cancelled today. On the Northeast Corridor, Acela train No. 2153, a 6 a.m. departure from Boston, has been cancelled, as well […]

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What is liquid mask?

Color photo of metal wheelsets in painting jig and paintbrush applying liquid mask

Q: I’ve seen a few Model Railroader articles on painting and weathering that reference liquid mask. How does the product work, and where can I find it? — Michael M.  A: Liquid mask is a product that’s applied with a brush to keep paint off of areas that would be hard to cover using traditional masking […]

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CPKC intermodal train derails in Saskatchewan

CPKC logo

CARON, Saskatchewan — Eighteen cars of a CPKC intermodal train derailed early today (Feb. 25, 2025) in rural Saskatchewan, the CBC reports. CPKC said in a statement to the broadcaster that the derailment occurred shortly after midnight near Caron, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) west of Moose Jaw, Sask. No injuries were reported. One of […]

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Sounder, Amtrak Cascades service disrupted by landslide

Sound Transit logo

SEATTLE — Sounder commuter rail service, already operating at a reduced level because of equipment issues, has been further disrupted today  (Feb. 25, 2025) by a landslide that has also halted Amtrak Cascades operations between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. The landslide west of Everett, Wash., has triggered a 48-hour moratorium on passenger moves that […]

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