News & Products for the week of August 12th 2024 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 August 12th […]
Type of Train: Rolling Stock
Restoration and painting tips
You might recognize my name as a restorer of Lionel trains, this having been my livelihood for more than 50 years. Some people may question my sanity in giving up “secret” painting tips that I have used for decades; I don’t mind at all. If I can make the hobby more enjoyable to my fellow […]
Caltrain to place first electric trainsets in service
SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrain will begin public operation of its electrified trainsets this Sunday, Aug. 11, the news site SFGate reports. Agency spokesman Dan Lieberman told SFGate that “a couple” of the electric trains will be in operation, but that Caltrain has decided against announcing which specific trains will be operating with the new equipment […]
VIA Rail Canada’s public meeting discusses challenges, offers explanations: Analysis
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada recaps the company’s forward-looking initiatives and financial performance for calendar 2023 in a 30-minute audio recording of its annual public meeting released on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The session is moderated by Jamie Orchard, VIA’s senior advisor of corporate communication, and features board of directors chair Francoise Bertrand, CEO Mario Peloquin, […]
News photo: ‘Lumi’ on line
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada’s “Lumi” trainset — a Siemens Venture train painted yellow in homage to the passenger operator’s TurboTrain equipment of the past — is now in operation in Ontario-Quebec corridor service. The one-of-a-kind trainset was introduced at a media event last month [see “VIA Rail Canada unveils specially painted corridor trainset,” Trains […]
News & Products for the week of August 5th 2024
News & Products for the week of August 5th 2024 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 August 5th […]
FreightCar America to begin tank car conversions
CHICAGO — Manufacturer FreightCar America will enter the tank car conversion market, having entered into an agreement to upgrade more than 1,000 DOT-111 cars to DOT-117R cars over the next two years, the company announced today. The cars will receive new exterior valve jackets, thermal protection, full-height head shields, top fittings protection, and upgraded bottom-outlet […]
News & Products for the week of July 29th 2024
News & Products for the week of July 29th 2024 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 July 29th […]
Amtrak adds to Texas Eagle capacity with dedicated Sunset through cars: Special report
WASHINGTON — Beginning Sept. 3, the daily Texas Eagle will gain a Superliner sleeping car and coach three days a week in each direction, adding seats, rooms, and revenue on a train that has suffered near-daily sellouts since capacity and amenity downgrades as part of October 2020 cuts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional […]
MBTA approves plan for battery-electric commuter service on Fairmount Line
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors today approved a $54 million plan to introduce battery-electric train service on the commuter rail Fairmount Line. The first train could enter service as early as 2028. Keolis Commuter Services, the contract operator of MBTA’s commuter rail lines, submitted the proposal to introduce battery-electric multiple […]
Hitachi Rail to build 200 new cars for SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line
PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority today awarded a contract to Hitachi Rail for 200 new railcars for its Market-Frankford Line rapid-transit fleet. The contract is worth $724.3 million, not including an option for up to 40 additional cars. Delivery of the cars is scheduled to begin in 2029 with completion by the end […]
Chicago South Shore & South Bend adds new coil steel cars
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — The Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad has received 100 new coil steel cars from two manufacturers, each of which built 50 of the cars. The 48-foot, 115-ton capacity cars were built by The Greenbrier Cos. and National Steel Car, and expand the CSS car fleet to nearly 700 railcars. […]