BNSF has yet to set timeline to replace North Sioux City bridge

BNSF Railway logo

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. — BNSF Railway says it has not determined a timeline for replacing the bridge between North Sioux City and Sioux City, Iowa, that collapsed June 23 as a result of flooding, and continues to re-route traffic through Creston, Iowa. KTIV-TV reports that railroad spokeswoman Kendall Sloan said the railroad is coordinating […]

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News & Products for the week of July 1st 2024

A model locomotive in a city of Chicago paint scheme

News & Products for the week of July 1st 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 July 1st […]

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ScaleTrains HO Rivet Counter Trinity reefer

Title screen of review video with two HO scale freight cars painted white with blue and green graphics.

The ScaleTrains HO Rivet Counter Trinity reefer recently arrived at the Model Railroader offices. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the full-size BNSF Ry. cars, points out the various details on the contemporary freight car, and demonstrates how the sound and light functions work. Then see two of the […]

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White paper urges public ownership of U.S. railroads

Green and yellow box-cab diesel pulling freight train

Rail labor groups today released a report calling for public ownership of Class I freight railroads in the U.S., arguing that the current system is broken because it’s beholden to Wall Street. The 98-page report contends that the Class I railroads’ relentless focus on cost-cutting has hurt safety, service, employees, infrastructure investment, and passenger service. […]

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Iowa Interstate founding chairman dies at 102

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Iowa Interstate Railroad today announced that its founding chairman, Dr. Paul H. Banner, died on June 17 at the age of 102. Banner was instrumental in the efforts to save the railroad in 1984 following the liquidation of the Rock Island. “To describe Paul Banner as a visionary would be an […]

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Sam Foster’s Owl Cove Lumber Co. in O scale

Enjoy a glimpse of 1930s-era logging operations on Sam Foster’s 6 x 40-foot On30 (1:48) scale model railroad. Tall timber and equally impressive railroad engineering abound on this freelanced, around-the-walls narrow gauge (30″) layout. You can read more about the layout in the August 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]

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Gotthard Base Tunnel set for full reopening Sept. 2

Tractor working inside tunnel

FAIDO, Switzerland — Work in the Gotthard Base Tunnel to repair damage from an August 2023 derailment is complete, SBB, the Swiss Federal Railways, announced Thursday. Plans are to resume full operations through the tunnel on Monday, Sept. 2. The reopening will restore service in less than 2 hours between Zurich and Lugano, and end […]

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MTH announces new custom-run flatcar

model flatcar

Trainworld, 751 McDonald Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218, is offering a Flat Car with Pipe Load (70-76071, shown, 70-76072) aa part of the RailKing One Gauge line. The car is 1:32 scale, features a removable pipe load, and is available in two numbers. Expected delivery in September 2024. Price: $149.99. Order from trainworld.com […]

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Federal court orders FRA to allow BNSF Railway to expand track inspection program

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has ordered the Federal Railroad Administration to allow BNSF Railway to expand its automated track inspection program while simultaneously reducing the frequency of traditional visual inspections. Railroads are permitted unlimited use of automated track inspection systems that rely on lasers and other technology to find track geometry defects. But […]

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