MTH announces new locomotive

yellow model locomotive

MTH Electric Trains, 7393 Washington Blvd., Ste. 101, Elkridge, MD has announced a new ES44 locomotive.  The 1:32 scale engines feature two remote-controlled ProtoCouplers, a detachable snow plow, onboard DCC/DSC decoder, and much more (70-2186 shown). Eight paint schemes will be available. Expected delivery in September 2025. To order, contact your local MTH retailer or […]

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BNSF plan to address Montana grizzly bear deaths is approved

Large bear in woods

HELENA, Mont. — BNSF Railway has completed a plan to address grizzly bear deaths along its rail line near Glacier National Park in Montana that includes $2.9 million in mitigation efforts. Approval of the long-awaited document by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has led to the railroad receiving an “incidental take” permit that addresses […]

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Arctic blast hinders operations on BNSF’s Northern Transcon

FORT WORTH, Texas — Extreme cold has hobbled BNSF Railway’s operations on its Northern Transcon in North Dakota and Montana. “The extreme cold affecting the Northern Transcon route through Montana and North Dakota, with temperatures plunging over 20 degrees below zero in some areas overnight, has hindered normal train operations,” BNSF said in a customer […]

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Vote on Oklahoma commuter rail operation is pushed back

Map of rail line between Edmond and Norman, Okla.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A vote on sales tax to support a proposed commuter rail line connecting Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman, Okla., will be pushed back to at least 2026, according to the head of the transit agency involved. Brad Henry, chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma, told the Oklahoman newspaper that […]

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Railroad signs you can model

A railroad sign on a model railroad layout next to an industrial structure with a red truck and a figure seen nearby

There are various ways we can convey to visitors and operators our modeling objectives. Locomotives and rolling stock provide clues as to the prototype (or freelanced) railroad we’re modeling. Those same models, as well as vehicles and figures, can be used to define the era. But what about the model railroad’s locale? Signature structures or […]

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BNSF announces $3.8 billion capital plan for 2025

Freight train with orange locomotives leaves yard as commuter train approaches

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway plans to spend $3.8 billion on capital projects in 2025, with the vast majority for network maintenance, the company announced today (Jan. 23, 2025). “Our 2025 capital plan reflects BNSF’s ongoing commitment to investing in our network to support our customers’ growth and operating a safe, efficient and reliable […]

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Nebraska teen to be tried as adult in train derailment case

BNSF Railway logo

LINCOLN, Neb. — An 18-year-old accused of derailing a BNSF train last April will be tried as an adult after a Nebraska court turned down his appeal of the decision to move his case out of juvenile court. KLKN-TV reports juvenile court Judge Roger Heideman ruled last August that Zachary Hertzler, 18, should be charged […]

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BNSF CEO’s talk illustrates value of data in improving service

Woman on podium

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The power of data, or more accurately, of well-used data, may not have explicitly been the topic of BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer’s presentation at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers’ Winter Meeting. But it was a recurring theme with several subjects she touched on as part of her morning keynote address […]

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Rapido HO EMD GP38 diesel locomotive

Title screen of product review video showing HO diesel in orange, green, and yellow paint with BNSF lettering.

Hey folks, it’s time for another product review video! This time around we’ll take a look at the Rapido HO EMD GP38 diesel locomotive. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road unit and BNSF Ry. 2157; points out the various detail parts; and demonstrates […]

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