Unions turn down pay-advance offer from railroads

National Railway Labor Conference logo

ARLINGTON, Va. — Rail unions have turned down a proposal for advance payments while bargaining over a new national contract continues, according to the organization representing railroads in the negotiations. The offer to provide advance payments of up to $600 per month will remain on the table, railroads said. The National Carriers’ Conference Committee, the […]

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Looking back at the founding of the NMRA

Two men discussing trains

Founding of the NMRA The National Model Railroad Association, 20 years ago, grew more or less spontaneously out of two basic needs of the fledgling hobby. The first was the need for standards to assure interchangeable equipment. The second was the social need for getting together with other followers of a hobby which was then […]

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News & Products for the week of April 28, 2022

Photo of HO scale electric locomotive in orange, black, and white paint scheme.

Product news 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. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of April 28, 2022.   HO scale locomotives Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy […]

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BNSF train derails in Texas

BNSF Railway logo

ROGERS, Texas — Twenty-two cars of a BNSF Railway train derailed Sunday between Rogers and Buckholts, Texas, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office reported. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved, KWTX-TV reports. No other information was reported. The derailment site is parallel to U.S. Route 190 about 14 miles south of Temple, […]

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Reading & Northern sets 2102 test run

Steam locomotive blowing out steam

NORTH READING, Pa. — The Reading & Northern will conduct another test run of 4-8-4 No. 2102 on Tuesday, April 26, the railroad announced on the Facebook page for its passenger operations. The test train is slated to leave North Reading at 9 a.m. en route to Jim Thorpe, Pa. The T-1 locomotive built by […]

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Grand Canyon excursion honors late Trains editor

Side view of black steam locomotive

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railway honored late Trains editor Jim Wrinn during a Saturday, April 23, excursion to mark Earth Day, adding a message, “Steam on, Jim Wrinn,” to the tender of 2-8-2 No. 4960. The locomotive is an appropriate one to use for an Earth Day event because the locomotive, built by […]

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News photo: Changes coming for Shore Line East?

Electric multiple-unit trainset passes through station, as seen from overhead

WESTBROOK, Conn. — A Metro-North/Connecticut Department of Transportation Kawasaki M8 electric multiple-unit trainset passes through Westbrook on Saturday, April 23, during training runs for Amtrak crews to operate the equipment. The qualifying runs between New Haven and Old Saybrook, Conn., are reportedly in preparation for use of the M8s on Connecticut’s Shore Line East commuter […]

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News photos: Reading & Northern hosts RDC excursion

Rail Diesel Car exiting tunnel

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Mileage from four of the railroads which helped form today’s Reading & Northern were featured on a Saturday, April 23, excursion by R&N Rail Diesel Car. Trackage from the Reading Co., Central of New Jersey, Lehigh Valley Railroad, and Lehigh & New England were included in the fundraiser for the Railroad […]

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