Hudson Bay Railway receives new federal, provincial funding

VIA_Churchill_2_Johnston

CHURCHILL, Manitoba — The Canadian government will provide more than Ca$43 million for rehabilitation of the Hudson Bay Railway, while the province of Manitoba will invest an additional Ca$36.4 million in the railway and the Port of Churchill, the governments announced Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2025). The federal funds will go the Arctic Gateway Group, a […]

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N scale Alco RSD5 from Atlas

Screen capture from video showing N scale diesel and product description.

We’re turning the clock back to the 1960s on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route for our latest product review video. This time around we’ll take a look at the N scale Alco RSD5 from Atlas. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the six-axle road switcher and Atchison, […]

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Canadian National potash train derails in Ontario

Canadian National logo

EMO, Ontario — Fourteen cars of a Canadian National potash train derailed today (Feb. 4, 2025), the CBC reports. No injuries were reported. The derailment occurred about 7:30 a.m., CN said in a statement to the broadcaster. The railroad said the cause is under investigation. The Township of Emo said in a Facebook post that […]

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Trump administration shakes up funding formulas for rail projects

Illustration of Amtrak train on bridge over other rail lines

WASHINGTON — If you thought Federal Railroad Administration grant programs for things like passenger service, shortline track maintenance, and grade crossing elimination projects would be the least likely place to become a front in the culture wars, think again. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Jan. 29 issued a memo ordering Department of Transportation agencies to […]

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Invisible Giants — inside the Van Sweringen brothers empire

Tall building at night with electrified trains in foreground.

Invisible Giants — inside the Van Sweringen brothers empire Railroading is a multi-faceted industry. Depending on your interest or the discussion at hand, the relationship between different facets will be emphasized. For this discussion, let’s simplify railroading into two dimensions. There is the steel wheel meeting the rail — what can be viewed trackside. The […]

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House members introduce new version of Railway Safety Act

Hot box and dragging equipment detector.

WASHINGTON — Four House members have introduced a new version of the Railway Safety Act to mark the second anniversary of the East Palestine derailment that sparked the original legislation. U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) are sponsoring the new version of the bill, introduced on […]

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Following the route of Brightline West

Vacant lot with Brightline West billboard

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Agencies in California and Nevada have issued private activity bonds for the Brightline West project, a key element in funding the 218-mile high-speed rail venture between Las Vegas and Southern California. It is not clear whether the start of construction is contingent on obtaining money from the combined $2.5 billion in […]

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Lawsuit blames seven deaths on East Palestine derailment

Black cloud of smoke above town

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — A new lawsuit blames the East Palestine derailment and toxic-chemical release for seven deaths, including that of a week-old infant. The suit was announced Monday — two years after the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern derailment — by a trio of law firms on behalf of some 744 plaintiffs. It names […]

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Two arrested for stealing New York subway train

Subway train at station

NEW YORK — Police have arrested two suspects for stealing a New York subway train last month, while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced measures it is taking to prevent a recurrence of such events. The New York Police Department announced the suspects charged are ages 15 and 17. The 15-year-old was arrested at school […]

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News & Products for the week of February 3rd 2025

A blue, red and white model locomotive on model rail track

News & Products for the week of February 3rd 2025   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 February 3rd, […]

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