The MTH Baldwin VO1000 switcher has arrived. This Premier line model was announced in mid-April 2022. It’s a solid locomotive for any size layout with wonderfully detailed features. It’s not uncommon for MTH to put smaller locomotives like the VO1000 in its scale RailKing lineup; however, for this run we get a purple box and […]
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Thomas H. Garver, curator and O. Winston Link advocate, dies at 89
MADISON, Wis. — Great artists often depend on advocates to protect their reputations, and that was never truer than in the relationship between noted American photographer O. Winston Link and his one-time assistant and longtime friend Thomas H. Garver. A significant art figure in his own right, Garver did as much as anyone to secure […]
Man pleads guilty in Boston commuter rail fraud scheme
BOSTON — One of two men charged in connection with a fraud scheme aimed at the operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains pleaded guilty on Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. John Rafferty, 69, of Hale’s Location, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud […]
Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway to mark 10th anniversary
NEW FREEDOM, Pa. — A 10th-anniversary “Ages of the Railroad” celebration is scheduled for this weekend, June 17-18, on the Northern Central Railway of York nonprofit tourist line in southeastern Pennsylvania. Highlights will include two operating steam locomotives and a diesel, with a range of passenger trips available over varying stretches of the railroad’s 17.5 […]
New York tourist railway’s new flatcar has lengthy history
CORINTH, N.Y. — The Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway has introduced its newest piece of equipment, a flatcar that proved to have an extensive and significant history. SC&H car No. 16151 was unveiled on June 3 for the Alco Historical & Technical Society’s annual “Alco Adventure” day. During restoration for use as an open-air excursion […]
AAR calls for ‘pragmatic’ policies to address climate change
WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Tuesday issued a report calling for government policies it says can address climate change through “economically grounded solutions” as a partnership with the rail industry. The nine-page white paper report, “Freight Railroads & Climate Change: Reducing Emissions, Enhancing Resiliency,” says policies “must leverage market-based competition, be grounded […]
Metro-North, Tri-Met honored twice in APTA safety, security, emergency management awards
PITTSBURGH — Metro-North Railroad and Portland’s Tri-Met each were honored twice when the American Public Transportation Association announced its 2023 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Awards on Teusday. The awards recognize transit organizations for innovative and proactive safety and security programs, and beginning this year include a category to recognize excellence in the management […]
SEPTA sees 12% ridership increase on three rail lines after I-95 bridge collapse
PHILADELPHIA — The three SEPTA Regional Rail Lines most closely paralleling Interstate 95 saw a 12% increase in ridership on Monday, the first day the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority offered increased service and capacity following Sunday’s collapse of a bridge on I-95. WHYY Radio reports ridership on the Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase lines […]
Eurostar to be blocked from Amsterdam for a year
AMSTERDAM — Despite objections from international high speed rail operator Eurostar and passenger groups, the Dutch government has agreed to a plan by state-owned infrastructure operator ProRail to suspend all Eurostar services in the Netherlands for up to a year beginning next summer. Separately, Eurostar has also dropped its service between London and Disneyland Paris. […]
Rising costs prompt Union Pacific to downgrade its full-year operating ratio outlook
CHICAGO — A trio of recent Union Pacific agreements with rail labor unions, combined with ongoing volume and expense challenges, likely will make the railroad’s operating ratio rise this year. Previously UP expected the operating ratio to improve this year compared to 2022’s 60.1%. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hamann, speaking at an investor conference today, […]
Locomotives We Love: Lionel No. 1656 0-4-0 steam engine
Peter H. Riddle has written books and many stories for Classic Toy Trains. What toy train locomotive means the most to you? The beginning of my story is a familiar one, undoubtedly shared by many thousands of other youngsters in the fall of 1948. With Christmas just two months away, my treasured Lionel catalog was […]
Rapido Trains HO scale RTL Turboliner
The Rapido Trains HO scale RTL Turboliner paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout recently. Join Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno as they take a look at the features on this ready-to-run model and take it for a tour of the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. How […]