BNSF questions Union Pacific’s compliance with Southern Pacific merger conditions

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway has revived its efforts to serve a pair of quarries located on Union Pacific trackage in Texas and Arkansas. UP and Southern Pacific served the locations prior to UP’s 1996 acquisition of the SP. As a condition of regulatory approval of the merger, BNSF was granted the right to serve so-called […]

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Milwaukee Road caboose donated

Four people shaking hands next to an orange caboose decorated with a Christmas ribbon. Milwaukee Road caboose donated.

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum received Milwaukee Road steel bay-window caboose No. 02091 (later No. 992091) as a donation to its collection today. The donation came from Ken and Ruth Rupp. The caboose was built by the railroad in its Milwaukee Menomonee Valley shops. It is known to have run in Western […]

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Steam locomotive profile: 2-8-8-2

Southern Railway 2-8-8-2 No. 4057

A scant three years after Alco introduced the Mallet to America (with the delivery of B&O’s sole 0-6-6-0 in 1904), the Erie took delivery of three camelback 0-8-8-0 Mallets – the first eight-coupled Mallets, also built by Alco – and put them to work as helpers on Gulf Summit in New York state. In 1909, […]

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FTA reports significant growth in transit-related fatalities, calls for examination of hazards

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — Rail trespassing and suicide fatalities increased by 70% between 2016 and 2025, and now account for 50% of all fatalities reported to the National Transit Database, the Federal Transit Administration said in a safety advisory issued Monday, Nov. 24. Advisory 25-1 calls on state agencies overseeing rail transit operations to direct those operators […]

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MR Classroom | Freight Car Class: Lesson 3, Weathering with Pastels

Freight Car Class: Lesson 3, Weathering with Pastels | Transform pristine products into well-weathered, prototypical models using various powdered pastel techniques! In this segment of the freight car series, you’ll learn how to apply powdered pastels with brushes, makeup applicators, and artist sponges to simulate realistic rust. Discover how to use two shades of rust pastel […]

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MBTA, Keolis complete rail replacement on Fairmount Line

Map of MBTA commuter rail Fairmount Line

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has completed more than 28 miles of rail replacement on its Fairmount Line, part of work in preparation for the eventual launch of battery-electric train service on the 9.2-mile, nine-station commuter line between South Station and Readville, Mass. Service on the route, which has been modified since the […]

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Governor’s move provides SEPTA with $219.9 million to address infrastructure, safety issues

Man working on railcar

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will receive an extra $219.9 million in state funding to address infrastructure work and safety issues, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced today. The money will come from the state’s Public Transit Trust Fund, the source of money for capital projects that was also used to keep SEPTA at […]

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News photos: CSX Santa Train makes annual gift-giving journey (with video)

Large crowd surrounding rear of passenger train with open-platform observation car

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The CSX Santa Train distributed more than 15,000 toys, 6,000 train safety books, and 5,700 backpacks filled with gifts, gloves, and hats on Saturday (Nov. 22) as part of part of its 83rd trip on a 110-mile route through Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. “The CSX Santa Train embodies the best of what […]

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News & Products for the week of November 24th 2025

A navy blue model locomotive with yellow lettering and a yellow stripe

News & Products for the week of November 24th 2025   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 November 24th, […]

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GoFundMe effort seeks to complete Wichita museum’s funding for restoration of Santa Fe FP45

worn down looking Santa Fe locomotive

WICHITA, Kan. — Discovery of hidden damage on former Santa Fe FP45 No. 93 has prompted the locomotive’s owner, the Great Plains Transportation Museum, to launch an effort to raise an additional $50,000 for repairs needed before the locomotive’s cosmetic restoration can be completed. The locomotive, donated to the museum in June 1999 by BNSF […]

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Union Pacific, boilermakers union reach agreement guaranteeing jobs in event of UP-NS merger

Logo of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers have reached an agreement guaranteeing job security for union members if the UP-Norfolk Southern merger is approved, the fourth such agreement involving the railroad. It will cover current UP and NS workers at the time a merger occurs. “The Boilermakers union looks forward to […]

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