California opens new derailment training site for first responders (with video)

Two firefighters standing on top of tank car stacked to simulate derailment

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — The California Office of Emergency Services and city of Roseville have opened a new Hazmat Derailment Training Site at the Roseville Fire Training Center, filling a need in the state that was underlined by a November 2020 derailment and hazardous materials spill near Goshen, Calif. The facility, opened with a dedication ceremony […]

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Rapido HO GE C36-7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale (1:87.1) General Electric C36-7 diesel locomotive. Built between 1978 and 1985, this powerful six-axle unit is rated up to 3,750 horsepower. Our Missouri Pacific No. 9034 sample features a detailed cab interior, metal knuckle couplers, and a positionable drop steps. Equipped with an […]

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Rapido Trains HO GE C36-7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale (1:87.1) General Electric C36-7 diesel locomotive. Built between 1978 and 1985, this powerful six-axle unit is rated up to 3,750 horsepower. Our Missouri Pacific No. 9034 sample features a detailed cab interior, metal knuckle couplers, and a positionable drop steps. Equipped with an […]

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Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road Holiday Lights Trains to make season debut Friday

Commuter train decorated with holiday lights

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will launch their Holiday Lights Trains this Friday, Nov. 28. The colorfully lit trains will operate through New Year’s and will display special holiday-themed safety messages at selected stations. This year, Metro-North is adding a diesel-powered train for the first time, bringing the holiday […]

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Dozens of trade associations express concern over UP-NS merger

WASHINGTON — More than 60 trade associations have told federal regulators that they fear that Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern will raise rates, hurt service, and put too much traffic under control of a single railroad. “History has shown that increased rail consolidation leads to fewer choices, higher transportation costs, service […]

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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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