End-of-train devices replaced cabooses that, not so long ago, train watchers almost everywhere could count on as a final point of interest at the end of each freight train. The distinctive little cars housed crew members who would observe the cars ahead for defects, process the train’s paperwork, operate track switches, monitor the air-brake system […]
WASHINGTON — The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved a significantly revised version of the Railway Safety Act today (Wednesday, May 10), advancing the bill to the full Senate. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the bill, introduced in the wake of the Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, passed by a 16-11 margin, a […]
The Lionel-GE locomotive history arguably goes back more than a century. The first General Electric models made by the toy train manufacturer in electric and diesel profiles were separated by about 60 years. The internal-combustion model came almost a decade-and-a-half after GE started making that type of engine. Lionel GE locomotive history General Electric entered […]
MARTINEZ, Calif. — A mercury spill at the Martinez Amtrak station has led to a health advisory for the city’s downtown after the spill area was discovered to be larger than originally realized. KPIX-TV reports that by Tuesday afternoon, traces of Mercury had been found in a five-block area, according to county agency Contra Costa Health. […]
Meet Jack Burgess What was the best decision you made regarding model railroading? In the late 1960s I built a freelance layout. I soon met a modeler who was photographing freight cars in the local SPRR yard and scratchbuilding models of them. I thus got hooked on modeling prototype equipment rather than freelancing. I decided […]
WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern will establish a fund to reimburse homeowners near the site of the East Palestine derailment who sell their homes for less than they were worth before the incident, Reuters reports. NS CEO Alan Shaw informed U.S. senators of the plan in a letter on Tuesday, saying those eligible will be “within […]
Steam excursions in the United States are like taking center stage. Star-studded locomotives arrived with some staying while others received curtain calls. Of those that have taken their final bow, here are five former U.S. steam excursion locomotives that left an impact. Grand Trunk Western No. 5629 Excursion service 1959-1973: The class K-4a, 4-6-2 No. […]
Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader magazine. The Gold Hills Central was a layout built live by staff and MR contributors at Model Railroader’s 50th Anniversary Conference, held in Milwaukee in 1983. The original story and plan ran in […]
WASHINGTON — Expect changes today when the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation votes on the Railway Safety Act, the bipartisan bill introduced in March in the wake of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. The American Chemistry Council and Association of American Railroads both issued statements Tuesday in favor of an amended version of […]
TACOMA, Wash. — A 65-year-old man was arrested Tuesday for tampering with railroad equipment, causing a derailment of tank cars carrying oil in Tacoma’s Tideflats industrial area. The Tacoma News Tribune, which reported the arrest, did not report the man’s name or any additional identifying details. The incident occurred about 7:55 a.m. Tuesday and involved […]
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will air its annual public meeting via social media on June 7 at 4 p.m. EDT, the passenger operator has announced. The pre-recorded session will feature board chair Françoise Bertrand and Chief Financial Officer Marie-Claude Cardin. It will be carried on VIA’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Members of the […]
MIAMI — Brightline passenger service is now featuring wi-fi service provided by Starlink, the satellite-based high speed broadband internet service engineered by SpaceX. It becomes the first rail operator to use the service, already used by some aviation and marine firms, as well as businesses and residences. “Brightline will be the first train sets in […]
