WASHINGTON – U.S. rail traffic was down 4.8% in December, capping off a year in which volume fell 2.8% amid broad service problems on the big four U.S. railroads. Total U.S. carload traffic for 2022 was 11,976,283 carloads, down 0.3%, or 34,001 carloads compared to 2021, according to the Association of American Railroads. U.S. railroads […]
Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific were the only major Class I railroads to show volume growth in 2022. UP took the crown among the top six systems, with its overall traffic up 2%. The increase was driven by a 5% gain in carload traffic, including a 9% jump in coal volume. UP’s intermodal traffic was […]
WASHINGTON — A DC Metrorail operator was arrested on suspicion of operating a train while intoxicated in a Dec. 23 incident, the news site Greater Greater Washington reports, citing a Metro Transit Police department document. Arrest came after the Blue Line train missed a stop at Van Dorn Street, then halted between stations for some […]
BOSTON — Days before the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority removed some of its newest rapid transit cars from service for the latest in a series of mechanical issues, the agency claimed in a letter that the manufacturer of those cars “has completely abandoned its core responsibilities and commitment to lead, monitor, and support quality management,” […]
In the kitchen car of a Korean War-era troop train out of Fort Meade, Md., the cook tends to a giant pot on the stove as a soldier peels potatoes. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
A Broadway Limited Imports HO 2-8-0 steam locomotive decorated for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe recently paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno as he takes a closer look at the Consolidation. Broadway Limited Imports offers the HO scale 2-8-0 decorated for Atchison, […]
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — George Walker, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum general manager, passenger operations, died Jan. 4, 2023, following an accident at the organization’s shop facility in the early afternoon hours, according to Penelope Soule Gault, museum marketing and public relations director, and a statement posted on their website. The museum’s statement reads: “The Tennessee Valley […]
How to weather with powdered pastels: Powdered pastels have long been a popular choice for weathering locomotives, freight cars, and buildings. There are several firms that offer ready-to- use weathering powders, or you can make your own by scraping pastel sticks with a hobby knife. I started work on this N scale Micro-Trains boxcar by […]
SAN FRANCISCO — In 2022 California’s Caltrain achieved a number of milestones for its $2.44 billion electrification project from San Francisco to its Tamien Station in San Jose, Calif. It’s the largest electrification project in the U.S. since Amtrak completed electrification of its Northeast Corridor from New Haven to Boston in 2000. Construction on the […]
SISSETON, S.D. — The Sisseton Milbank Railroad, owned by Twin Cities & Western Railroad, is seeking $24.7 million in grant funds to rebuild the railroad, the Watertown (S.D.) Public Opinion reported. The former Milwaukee Road branch line was built in 1893 and still has 75-pound rail. The railroad can’t handle 286,000 pound cars and […]
WASHINGTON — In December, Congress passed the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will continue funding for the federal government. Appropriators included significant funding for passenger rail and transit grant programs, which came in addition to capital funding included in the five-year Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. The measure includes $2.45 billion for Amtrak — below […]
Walthers container chassis two-pack in HO scale Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.98; undecorated, $37.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers Container Chassis two-Pack features: New tooling Detail appropriate for intermodal terminals, loading docks & highway scenes Three standard lengths for international and domestic service (20-foot, 40-foot and […]
