The MTH Baldwin VO1000 is a sturdy O gauge switcher

MTH Baldwin VO1000 front view

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 […]

Read More…

Man pleads guilty in Boston commuter rail fraud scheme

Commuter train passes under pedestrian bridge

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 […]

Read More…

Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway to mark 10th anniversary

Modern recreation of 19th-century steam locomotive at wooden passenger station

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 […]

Read More…

New York tourist railway’s new flatcar has lengthy history

Flatcar with railings and seats added for open-air passenger use

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 […]

Read More…

AAR calls for ‘pragmatic’ policies to address climate change

Freight train with two yellow locomotives with small town in distance

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 […]

Read More…

Metro-North, Tri-Met honored twice in APTA safety, security, emergency management awards

Electric multiple-unit trainset rounds curve

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 […]

Read More…

Eurostar to be blocked from Amsterdam for a year

Blue, yellow, and white high speed train outside large station trainshed

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. […]

Read More…

Locomotives We Love: Lionel No. 1656 0-4-0 steam engine

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 […]

Read More…

Rapido Trains HO scale RTL Turboliner

Screen shot of Product Review video.

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 […]

Read More…