News & Products for the week of December 4th 2023 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 December 4th […]
WASHINGTON — A coalition of rail labor unions has criticized the U.S. Class I railroads’ hiring efforts, their pace of service improvements, and the industry’s safety record in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board. The big four U.S. railroads — BNSF Railway, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific — have told federal regulators that […]
WOODLAND, Wash. – A Washington state port will serve as a test bed for Glīd Technologies’ autonomous intermodal vehicle. The Port of Woodland and Glīd have announced a partnership that will allow testing of the Glīder prototype on a rail spur at the port’s Schurman Way Industrial Park, they announced on Friday. “Glīd is at […]
From Auto-Train to Amtrak Auto Train Today’s Auto Train is a stellar option for people looking to travel long distances with their car in tow between northern Virginia and central Florida. Amtrak’s marketing slogan on its website is “Take Your Car on an Auto Train Road Trip.” Those traveling in sleeping cars receive traditional dining-car […]
Meet Dominic Bourgeois What was your first train set (or locomotive)? I was only 6 years old and so I don’t quite remember, but I’m reasonably confident that it was a Model Power set that included a Baldwin “Shark” diesel painted in the Canadian National striped scheme and maybe two cars, a caboose, and a […]
DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation isn’t prepared to start shopping for passenger trains just yet, but it’s at least ready to look at brochures. The state DOT on Friday issued a “request for information” for rolling stock for possible passenger service between Denver and Craig, Colo., and has asked manufacturers and vendors to […]
LONDON — A safety dispute between British rail regulators and the operator of summer steam trains through the West Highlands of Scotland threatens to prevent the trains — now internationally famous — from running next year. The trains in question gained their fame as the “Harry Potter Train,” as the route – and especially the curved […]
MONTREAL — Canada’s largest private-sector union has blasted VIA Rail Canada’s new baggage policy, a complex set of fees which were set to take effect Nov. 18, saying they “inconvenience travelers and complicate [union members’] working conditions.” VIA, however, says it had elected to waive the fees a week prior to their implementation, and the […]
One of Amtrak’s retired HHP8 electric locomotives, with both pantographs removed, is being tested for possible use as a cab car. Amtrak is reportedly looking to bolster or replace its aging fleet of ex-Metroliner cab cars in the Northeast until Siemens’ new Amtrak Airo equipment arrives. The 15 Bombardier-Alstom locomotives, delivered in 2001, were plagued […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has announced $343 million is available in fiscal 2024 for accessibility improvements at rail transit stations under the FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program. The program, funded for a total of $1.75 bililion through fiscal 2026 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supports upgrades to subway, light rail, and commuter rail […]
“How much is this worth?” is a simple enough question. I wish it had an easy answer. There is no Kelley Blue Book value for large scale trains like there is for vehicles. There are also variables that will affect the value: condition, modifications to the model, and your motivations for selling. First, you need […]
Did you ever look to your kitchen as source for free items to make your layout more visually appealing? With just a little paint and some imagination, items like pudding cups, freezer packaging rolls, and fast-food condiment containers can become stock tanks, flatcar loads, and much more! If you are looking for scale items, some […]
