Study: Derailment risk rises with the number of cars in a freight train

The risk of derailment increases with freight train length, according to an academic study published today, which found that a 200-car train is 24% more likely to derail than a 50-car train. The study — by researchers from Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, and Virginia Tech — analyzed Federal Railroad Administration rail equipment accident data […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of May 27th 2024

A model passenger car in a yellow and gray paint scheme

News & Products for the week of May 27th 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 May 27th […]

Read More…

Mongeau to chair Norfolk Southern’s board of directors

MongeauClaude

ATLANTA – Former Canadian National CEO Claude Mongeau has been appointed chair of Norfolk Southern’s board of directors, the railroad announced today. The board unanimously chose Mongeau to lead the board, which has five new members — including three who were nominated by activist investor Ancora Holdings as part of its proxy battle with the […]

Read More…

Jack Routledge’s HO scale Alberta Pacific Ry.

Color image of a steam locomotive and tank cars in a town scene.

As part of our 90th anniversary celebration, we’re featuring never-before-published articles from our archives on Trains.com. This story is from 1994. Products mentioned in the article may no longer be available. I’ve had an active interest in model railroading for more than 45 years. My ultimate goal was to build a layout of my own […]

Read More…

Bridge issue leads to CSX derailment in Tennessee

CSX logo

LaFOLLETTE, Tenn. — Cleanup continues after about 15 cars of a CSX Transportation freight train derailed Saturday after part of a bridge gave way, according to the city’s police chief. WATE-TV reports that LaFollette Police Chief Steve Wallen said the metal frame supporting the bridge had broken, leading to a derailment that destroyed about a […]

Read More…

Gary Wronkiewicz’s American Flyer layout

scene on toy train layout

At a glance Name: Gary Wronkiewicz’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 10 x 16 feet Track: GarGraves flextrack (diameters range from 40 to 80 inches) Switches: Gilbert American Flyer Motive power: Gilbert American Flyer, S-Helper Service Rolling stock: Gilbert American Flyer Controls: Gilbert American Flyer No. 12B transformer Accessories: Gilbert American Flyer, Marx Structures: Atlas O, Plasticville U.S.A., Wm. K. Walthers Figures: Barclay, Ertl See more […]

Read More…

CPKC to name new subdivision after former KCS CEO Michael Haverty

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Canadian Pacific Kansas City will honor former Kansas City Southern CEO Michael Haverty by naming a new subdivision after the influential railroad executive. Assuming the deal gains the necessary regulatory approval, CPKC will name its portion of the Meridian & Bigbee short line the Haverty Subdivision. CPKC and CSX plan to […]

Read More…

Rapido N scale ore hopper

Color photo showing pair of N scale freight cars.

A National Steel Car short-barrel ore hopper has joined the growing N scale freight car lineup from Rapido Trains. The ready-to-run car has Barber S-2 100-ton trucks; 36” metal wheelsets; and see-through, etched-metal crossover platforms. Prototype history The samples we received are decorated as Canadian National 346029, from the railroad’s 346000 through 346084 series, and […]

Read More…

Revenue run

20190522

A seven-car Illinois Central Gulf piggyback train heads north through Springfield, Ill., for Chicago in September 1975. At Springfield the ICG’s one-time Gulf, Mobile & Ohio route split for Kansas City to the west and St. Louis and points south. Walter A. Peters photo […]

Read More…