WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration on Friday signed a $893.3 million grant agreement for LA Metro’s planned light rail line in the San Fernando Valley. The 6.7-mile, $3.57 billion East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project will largely follow Van Nuys Boulevard, and connect the bus rapid transit Orange Line to two Metrolink lines, […]
A common question newcomers to model railroading ask is “Why do railroads use signals?” The quick answer is to keep trains moving safely. But the topic of railroad signals deserves more of an explanation. The evolution of railroad signals When trains are running in the same direction on the same line, in opposite directions on […]
It’s easy to forget that a plethora of passenger trains over the years carried the names of individuals who helped shape the United States history in various ways. Amtrak has kept the tradition alive with a few names retained from previous incarnations while introducing newcomers such as the Carl Sandburg and Ethan Allen Express. From […]
ROCHELLE, Ill. — The vast expanse of Union Pacific’s Ike Evans Global III terminal just west of Rochelle played host to a “Family Days” event for Chicago area UP employees today (Saturday, Sept. 7) prior to a public display featuring Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 on Sunday at the same location. It proved to be […]
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The newest additions to the Indiana Rail Experience passenger fleet are nearing the end of the journey to that operation. Heavyweight Pullman Kitchi Gammi Club and former Union Pacific sleeper Pacific Island are shown in South Bend this morning (Saturday, Sept. 7) on the rear of the Lake Shore Limited as […]
MONTREAL — Amtrak’s New York City-Montreal Adirondack is set to resume operation north of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., this Monday, Sept. 9, with a northbound trip. The first southbound train from Montreal will run the following day, Sept. 10. Amtrak chose to cancel the train beginning May 19 because, as a result of deferred track maintenance, […]
DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation has scheduled a series of three open house events next week to discuss the proposed Mountain Rail project, which would launch passenger train service between Denver and Craig, Colo. The meetings are part of the process of creating a “service development plan” for the route, which last saw […]
Facts and features Name: Hudson, Delaware & Ohio and Trenton Northern Transportation & Light Co.Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 40 x 40 feet (phase I), 60 x 80 feet (phase II, under construction)Theme: freelance, inspired by Eastern Class I railroadsLocale: northern New Jersey and PennsylvaniaEra: steam-to-diesel transition (circa 1955)Style: multi-level walkaroundMainline run: HD&O (40 x 40-foot section), […]
DENVER — Shortline holding company OmniTRAX has acquired Central Arizona Commerce Park’s rail infrastructure and remaining park acreage. With the acquisition, OmniTRAX becomes the exclusive infrastructure partner of the 679-acre industrial park located in Casa Grande, which is midway between Phoenix and Tucson. This move marks OmniTRAX’s third rail transaction in the past six months […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has sharply increased the insurance coverage requirements for shippers of certain hazardous materials, which has prompted chemical producers to express “grave concerns” in a letter to CEO Katie Farmer. The move comes in the wake of the February 2023 hazardous materials derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which has cost […]
Facts and features Name: South Durham Ry.Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 9’-6″ x 11’-0″Prototype: freelancedLocale: North CarolinaEra: 1970sStyle: around the wallsMainline run: 22 feetMinimum radius: 22″Minimum turnout: No. 4Maximum grade: none (flat)Benchwork: shelf Height: 57″Roadbed: cork on HomasoteTrack: code 83 extrackScenery: tabletopBackdrop: photo backdrop from Backdrop JunctionControl: Lenz DCC Click the link to download a PDF […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has launched a Shortline Select program designed to improve interchanges and service while deepening the commercial ties between the Class I and its short line connections. The first participating short line is Genesee & Wyoming’s 339-mile Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR), which interchanges with BNSF at Armory, Miss. […]
