For the first time in many years, model trains are in The White House this Christmas. In a press release from The White House, First Lady Jill Biden announces the 2023 holiday theme, “The Magic, Wonder, and Joy of the holidays.” “In this season of reflection and goodwill, we hope you will embrace your inner […]
Type of Train: Freight
Routes for Del Mar rail tunnel multiply
DEL MAR, Calif. — Proposed routes for a tunnel to replace the rail line along the Del Mar bluffs, which at one time had been narrowed to two options, are now back to a total of 11 options in the wake of objections by Del Mar residents, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The multi-billion dollar project […]
Norfolk Southern installs new computer-aided yard operations system at Norris Yard
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern is installing Wabtec’s Yard Planner system at Norris Yard in Irondale, Ala., as part of an effort to improve the hump yard’s efficiency and make service more consistent. “Norfolk Southern is the first Class I railroad to implement Yard Planner and we are already seeing greater consistency of car movement,” Joe […]
New Jersey Senate committee holds hearing on bill setting limits for ‘high-hazard trains’
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey legislators on Monday held a hearing on a bill that would require two-person crews, limit train lengths, and mandate wayside defect detectors for “high-hazard trains,” those transporting flammable or hazardous materials. The hearing on S4049, introduced in June and sponsored by state Sens. Patrick Diegnan Jr. (D-Middlesex) and Gordon Johnson […]
Genesee & Wyoming switching subsidiary announces new contracts
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Genesee & Wyoming’s switching subsidiary, Rail Link, Inc., announced it has signed five new contracts since September with customers across the U.S. The agreements include handling of biofuels and liquid petroleum gases for a facility in Southern California; wood chips, chemicals, and containerboard for paper manufacturers in Savannah, Ga., and South Carolina; […]
News & Products for the week of November 27th 2023
News & Products for the week of November 27th 2023 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 27th […]
CSX unveils Atlantic Coast Line heritage locomotive
A tribute to Atlantic Coast Line is the latest heritage locomotive to emerge from CSX’s paint shop in Waycross, Ga. CEO Joe Hinrichs posted photos of the locomotive on his LinkedIn account this afternoon. “Here’s the new CSX Atlantic Coast Line Heritage Locomotive fresh out of the paint shop in Waycross, Georgia,” Hinrichs wrote. “We […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Bridge Out!
Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky country during Summer 2023. Join railfan/videographer Tom Danneman on a railfanning adventure along Montana Rail Link (MRL), capturing the essence of the railroad “Blues” before its imminent takeover by BNSF. Witness unexpected turns, like a bridge collapse in Reed Point and rare train […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Bridge Out!
Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky country during Summer 2023. Join railfan/videographer Tom Danneman on a railfanning adventure along Montana Rail Link (MRL), capturing the essence of the railroad “Blues” before its imminent takeover by BNSF. Witness unexpected turns, like a bridge collapse in Reed Point and rare train […]
Failed wheel bearing caused Kentucky derailment, CSX says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX says a failed wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 derailment that led to an evacuation of residents in Livington, Ky., on Thanksgiving. In a Sunday statement, the railroad said it has completed the removal of all 16 railcars involved in the incident that occurred about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and has […]
12 train sets for the holidays
If you’ve read Model Railroader magazine for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed the hobby journey for many of our authors started with a train set. For baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, the set was often produced by Lionel or American Flyer. Fast forward a generation or two, and those sets were […]
Weekly U.S. rail traffic up again
WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic was up for the second week in a row, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Overall traffic for the week ending Nov. 18 included 501,416 carloads and intermodal units, a 4% increase from the same week a year ago. That includes 237,416 carloads, up […]