Components of the New York Central

Steam-powered passenger train waiting at a station at night

The New York Central System was a vast and legendary railroad, connecting the East Coast to the Mississippi River. A key component — let alone multiples — to its long-lasting status as a powerhouse was the subsidiary railroads. Though operating under the Class I system, many of these New York Central components maintained distinct identities […]

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East Troy Industrial Park track and train control Part One: Roadbed, track, and wiring

There’s nothing quite like that feeling of running a “first train” on a new model railroad. Although the scenery is still bare benchwork, the look and sound of those first wheels rolling under their own power along nickel-silver rails produces a thrill that never gets old. By the time we reach the conclusion of this […]

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Compact Track Plans: 5 recommendations for cramped spaces

CSX Ridgecrest overhead diagram

Let’s be frank, not all of us have the luxury of immense space for a massive model railroad empire. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the hobby, even in the most cramped room. By turning the pages of past issues and books by the Model Railroader staff, here are five recommendations for compact track […]

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NS and UP shareholders overwhelmingly approve $85 billion merger

ATLANTA — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today cleared their first merger hurdle as shareholders overwhelmingly backed their deal to create the first transcontinental railroad. In separate votes, nearly 99% of NS shareholders and 99.5% of UP shareholders approved UP’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of NS. “The approval of our shareholders marks a key milestone […]

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Coalition of rail, environmental advocacy groups asks STB to ensure public role in UP-NS merger proceedings

WASHINGTON — A coalition of rail and environmental groups has submitted comments to the Surface Transportation Board on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, asking the board to clarify whether “substantive filings” from stakeholders other than parties directly involved would be part of the review process. The organizations — the Rail Passengers Association, Southern Rail […]

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CPKC reaches tentative agreement with engineers (updated)

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen for engineers on the former Soo Line in the United States. The agreement announced Thursday, Nov. 13, would cover approximately 300 engineers on the former Soo Line in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and […]

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Union Pacific: We can avoid merger-related tech problems

CHICAGO — Big railroad mergers have often been plagued by problematic computer cutovers that lead to service meltdowns, most recently this spring when CPKC extended its system to the legacy Kansas City Southern network in the U.S. Union Pacific pledges to avoid the same fate if its proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern wins […]

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Metra, UP tell STB that contract negotations continue

Commuter train departing large station with several other trains

WASHINGTON — The ongoing dispute between Metra and Union Pacific over commuter rail operations in the Chicago area was back before the Surface Transportation Board as the board resumed activity following the shutdown of the federal government. Both parties filed a joint status report on negotiations today (Nov. 13), while Metra offered a fairly brief […]

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Surface Transportation Board reopens, sets new date for filings

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — With the federal government reopening following a record 43-day shutdown, the Surface Transportation Board has set a new deadline for filings due during the shutdown period. In a decision issued today (Nov. 13, 2025), the board has dsaid that any submissions due between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12 — including comments on environmental […]

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