Signalmen’s union sees red over proxy battle at Norfolk Southern

Logo of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen

FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen has become the first rail labor union to come out against the activist investor group that’s plotting to oust Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw and gain control of the railroad’s board. The union today expressed “grave concern” with Ancora Holdings’ proxy battle. The union said Ancora […]

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ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC

Title screen of Product Review video with HO scale locomotive painted dark red.

The ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest Product Review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Norfolk Southern 8104, points out the details on the Rivet Counter line model, demonstrates the sound and light functions, and uses the contemporary six-axle […]

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ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC

Title screen of Product Review video with HO scale locomotive painted dark red.

The ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest Product Review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Norfolk Southern 8104, points out the details on the Rivet Counter line model, demonstrates the sound and light functions, and uses the contemporary six-axle […]

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Ask Trains.com February 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com February 2024 compilation | In this month’s installment, Cody answers inquiries related to modeling era-appropriate industrial structures; getting into a sticky situation; building a metal paint/spray booth from scratch; selecting motive power that’s best suited for a short line railroad; and so much more. Plus, Senior Editor Roger “Professor” Carp also stops by […]

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Beyond the byline with Thomas Danneman

headshot of man with camera

What was your first byline in Trains? Thomas Danneman: My first byline was in the March 2006 issue. I had photos published before then, including a few covers, but “New Muscle for Montana,” which was about Montana Rail Link’s new SD70ACe locomotives, included my first published words. What’s your favorite locomotive and why? Thomas Danneman: […]

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Seminole Gulf Railway reopens line to Fort Myers, Fla.

Two locomotives lead gondolas across bridge

FORT MYERS, Fla. — More than 500 days after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, and the Seminole Gulf Railway, on Sept. 28, 2022, the railroad has restored operations to Fort Myers. On Tuesday, the railroad operated its first test train across the Caloosahatchee River, having completed the rebuilding of four bridges and track structures across […]

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UP announces $3.4 billion capital plan for 2024

Yellow locomotives on train of tank cars

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific plans to spend $3.4 billion on capital projects in 2024, the railroad announced Wednesday, with more than half of that going to basic infrastructure upgrades and replacement, such as rail, ties, and ballast. The $1.9 billion for infrastructure represents approximately 56% of the capital plan. Another $600 million is budgeted […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic remains ahead of 2023 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume.

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was up from 2023 levels for the fourth straight week, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, with overall traffic showing a 3.7% gain for the week ending Feb. 17. Total traffic for the week was 474,226 carloads and intermodal units. That included 220,539 carloads, down 0.6% from […]

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Metra signs deal with Stadler US for battery-electric trainsets

Blue and white two-unit trainset

CHICAGO — Stadler US will build eight two-car battery-electric trainsets for Chicago’s Metra, its first order for such equipment in the United States, the commuter operator and manufacturer announced today (Wednesday, Feb. 21). The eight trainsets are the initial order for an agreement that could expand to as many as 16 trainsets. While the trainsets […]

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Metra receives federal grant for new railcars

Two commuter trains meet on curve

WASHINGTON — Metra will receive $100 million to purchase 50 new multilevel commuter rail cars, the Federal Transit Administration announced today, part of almost $631 million in federal funding awarded through the FTA’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program. Other awards — to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Maryland Transit Administration — had previously been […]

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