CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC’s first new service — a pair of intermodal trains linking Chicago and Mexico — will launch on May 11, carrying containers from new customers Schneider and Knight-Swift. Daily hotshots 180 and 181 will link Chicago with Laredo, Texas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mexico City. With third-day service to Laredo, fourth-day to Monterrey, […]
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Menards Rocket Launching Tower blasts off
The Menards Rocket Launching Tower is out and I have to say, it’s a lot of fun. Commencing countdown, engines on.” The words from the David Bowie song Space Oddity got stuck in my head when I saw this accessory. It harkens back to late 1960s Lionel when the race was on to put satellites […]
Built by Others: Dave Foxx’s HO scale Carolina Sandhills Lines layout
Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader magazine. The Bedford Valley RR appeared in the November 1986 issue of MR. David Foxx built his own version, making an assortment of additions to it using pieces of other MR projects as well. – […]
Senators challenge Northeast Corridor tilt of Amtrak board nominees: Analysis
WASHINGTON — A simmering impasse over confirmation of nominees for Amtrak’s board of directors has reached a boil, with both Republican and Democratic senators objecting to the makeup of the group advanced by President Joe Biden. At issue is that only one of the six nominees — Normal, Ill., Mayor Chris Koos — represents an […]
Do people wreck train photos?
Do people wreck train photos? A common situation that really irritates a lot of rail photographers is when people get in the way of their picture taking. If you are attempting the perfect “roster shot,” I suppose that could be an irritant. But having railroad employees, passengers, and other fans in your photos should be […]
Norfolk Southern earnings take hit from East Palestine, Ohio, derailment
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s first quarter earnings tumbled due to expenses related to the disastrous Feb. 3 derailment and subsequent hazardous materials release in East Palestine, Ohio. The railroad’s operating income declined 34%, to $711 million, due in part to an initial $387 million charge associated with the derailment, the railroad reported today. NS CEO […]
Collector to make landmark donation of railroad art
MADISON, Wis. — A longtime collector of worldwide railroad art has announced the donation of 250 pieces amassed over the last 40 years to the Center for Railroad Photography & Art. Peter Mosse, a CRP&A board member since 2016, and his wife Christine offered the collection to the center, which announced its acceptance at its […]
STB schedules hearing in coal mine’s complaint against BNSF Railway
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a hearing next month to consider a Powder River Basin coal producer’s request for an emergency service order that would require BNSF Railway to handle more volume from the Spring Creek Mine in Montana. The board will hold oral arguments on May 10 where Navajo Transitional Energy […]
Operator was likely asleep at time of March end-of-track derailment in Golden, RTD says
DENVER — The operator of a Regional Transportation District light rail train that ran off the end of tracks at a station in Golden in March likely fell asleep, the Denver Post reports. The RTD disclosed findings of its investigation into the March 11 incident as it filed a corrective action plan with the Colorado […]
Forbes names Amtrak as a top employer for diversity
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has been named one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2023 according to Forbes, which released its list ranking the top 500 companies on Tuesday. The rail passenger operator placed 341st, eighth among transportation and logistics firms. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority was the only other rail-related organization to make the […]
ENSCO to acquire inspection technology firm KLD Labs
SPRINGFIELD, Va. — ENSCO Inc. will expand its railway inspection business with acquisition of KLD Labs Inc., a provider of automated wayside inspection technology and laser profiling products. ENSCO announced Tuesday it had entered into an equity purchase agreement to acquire KLD, which offers track inspection and assessment, fleet inspection and assessment, and asset management […]
In Memoriam: Robert (Bob) Hundman
Robert (Bob) Hundman, founder of Hundman Publishing Inc., died on April 22, 2023. He was 88 years old. Robert’s work appeared in the pages of the hobby press for nearly 50 years. His earliest published drawing, a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range class M-4 2-8-8-4, was in the March 1958 issue of Model Railroader. Robert’s […]