News photo: New look for Alton & Southern’s SD60s (updated)

Blue and yellow locomotives on bridge with Gateway Arch in the background

SD60s from parent railroad Union Pacific, which have retained their prior numbers, show off the new paint scheme of operator Alton & Southern on Feb. 4, 2023. Photographer Nick Goedecke reports the railroad will be repainting at least six units, including some SD40Ns, and that plans are to modify this paint scheme to include bolder […]

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Legislators seek new safety oversight for MBTA

Green and white light rail vehicle at station

BOSTON — Two state legislators are calling for a new agency to oversee safety issues with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, although they have different views on who should handle the job. The Boston Herald reports state Sen. Michael Barrett has filed legislation to create an independent commission on transportation safety oversight, while state Rep. […]

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A brief encounter with Argent Lumber

Steam locomotive under log flume

If you’re driving on Main Street through Hardeeville, S.C., it’s easy to miss the little steam locomotive tucked away in a small open shelter alongside the city’s library. As engines go, it doesn’t get much smaller than Argent Lumber Co. narrow-gauge 2-8-0 No. 7.   I found the engine, though, during a brief stop last […]

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CSX, two unions reach agreement providing for paid sick leave (updated)

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached agreement to provide four days of paid sick leave for members of two unions, the railroad has announced. The agreements, with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, cover approximately 5,000 workers — almost 4,000 […]

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N scale General Motors Diesel Division GP40-2W from Atlas

Screen capture of product review video.

An N scale General Motors Diesel Division GP40-2W from Atlas recently toured our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno talk about the features on the locomotive and take it for a tour of the “Mini Myrt.” Paint schemes on the four-axle road unit […]

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Soo Line locomotive 1003 is a mammoth Mikado

Restored Soo Line Mikado-type steam engine rolls under a rusty railroad overpass

Name: Soo Line locomotive 1003 Builder: American Locomotive Company (Alco) Wheel arrangement: 2-8-2 Mikado Build date: March 1913 Why it’s important: Built for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, commonly known as the Soo Line, the 1003 is both large (250 tons) and powerful (53,947 pounds starting tractive effort). A highly versatile locomotive […]

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News & Products from the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show

An image of a model caboose

News & Products from the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show With the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show wrapping up, we thought it would be a perfect week to showcase the multiple new products released throughout the show. Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more […]

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Keeping your layout clean and operational

A black rectangular abrasive block and a dark red block near HO scale track

As modelers we take pride in our work, especially our layouts, whether they be a shelf layout, or a sprawling rail empire. One thing that we may not spend enough time doing, however, is taking care of said layout, especially cleaning it. We may run a track cleaning car around the mainline a few times […]

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Missouri Pacific pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie on a table

Missouri Pacific pumpkin pie is a delicious variation of a holiday favorite. It includes molasses, which makes the pie a darker orange color. I cut back the sugar a bit from the original recipe, as I didn’t want it to be overly sweet. The original ingredients also included dots of butter, which I omitted as […]

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Residents await word when they can return home after derailment

Aerial view of burning freight cars

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Residents evacuated after Friday’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train now await word when they might be allowed to return home, although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cautioned Monday that it would not be soon. Cleanup of the 50-car derailment involving toxic chemicals is expected to begin to move forward following Monday’s […]

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