WalthersProto Electro-Motive Division SW9, SW900, and SW1200 diesel locomotives

Model of orange and black train locomotive

Electro-Motive Division SW9/SW900/SW1200 diesel locomotives Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with Next18 plug, $199.98; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder, $299.98. Era: 1954 to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Electro-Motive Division SW9, SW900, and SW1200 diesel locomotives features: Road-specific details Detailed cab interior with […]

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Monticello museum hosts Railroad Days event (with video)

Blue, white, and gray streamlined diesel with passenger train

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The Monticello Railway Museum hosted its annual Railroad Days event Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17-18, 2022, drawing hundreds of people to the museum in central Illinois. The event featured Southern Railway Consolidation No. 401 pulling a coach passenger train; Wabash F7 No. 1189 pulling a three-car train; a caboose hop powered by […]

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Lehigh Stone three-bay offset-side hoppers from the Kankakee Model Railroad Club

Model of red train hopper

Lehigh Stone three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Kit, $30; assembled with Kadee couplers, $35. Add $6 shipping per car. Manufacturer: Produced by Accurail, available from Kankakee Model Railroad Club, 197 S. East Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901 Features: Injection-molded plastic kit Plastic wheelsets Steel weight(s) Release Date: Available now Road name: Lehigh Stone (red […]

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Vote on rail labor deal awaits final contract language

Logo of SMART-TD union

WASHINGTON — Ratification of the tentative agreement between railroads and a dozen unions remains in limbo while final contact language is being formalized, according to a message from one of the operating unions to its members. A final version of the tentative agreement not expected until sometime this week at the earliest, the International Association […]

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UP makes minor change to new paint scheme

Three-quarter view of yellow locomotive showing American flag decal near nose

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has adjusted the revision of its locomotive paint scheme, changing the American flag decal at the front of the locomotive to a design based on the one introduced on the long hood of the locomotive 20 years ago. UP announced the revision earlier this year, returning “Union Pacific” […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic to return in 2024 or 2025, museum official says

Logo of Western Forest Industries Museum

ELBE, Wash. — The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum, shut down by owner American Heritage Railways in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume operation in 2024 or 2025, according to the executive director of the Western Forest Industries Museum. The Centralia Chronicle reports Forest Industries Museum Executive Director Bethan Maher […]

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MBTA’s Orange Line service to resume Monday as scheduled

Subway train at nearly empty station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s 30-day shut down of the Orange Line — the second most-used route on the MBTA rail rapid-transit system — will reopen as scheduled on Monday morning after a 30-day shutdown, MBTA officials said Sunday. The unprecedented shutdown led to significant disruptions for commuters, but also allowed the transit […]

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