Monday morning coronavirus-related rail news: — Effective today, Amtrak will require all customer-facing employees wear a facial covering of some kind — a mask if available— and strongly encourages all other employees and passengers to wear coverings. At Friday’s employee town hall, the first hosted by new CEO William Flynn, CEO asked employees to start […]
Section: News & Reviews
As Earth Day turns 50, Wabtec and rail industry tout sustainability improvements NEWSWIRE
Dominique Malenfant, Wabtec chief technology officer Wabtec The railroad industry is increasingly touting its sustainability efforts and using its lower carbon footprint as a selling point as more and more shippers look to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. As the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches on Wednesday, April 22, three Class I railroads — […]
US Department of Transportation makes available $311.8 million for capital rail projects NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Friday for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. “We’re committed to addressing the unmet transportation needs of rural areas, which face unique challenges in safety, infrastructure condition, and passenger and freight usage,” said […]
BNSF freight train derails, puts cars into Mississippi River NEWSWIRE
EAST DUBUQUE, Iowa — BNSF Railway confirms in a customer advisory that one of its trains derailed on the Aurora Subdivision Monday morning. The advisory says both BNSF main tracks were affected after a derailment at 10:53 am. Central time. The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald newspaper reports that more than five cars derailed and that some landed […]
New model railroad products for the week of April 23, 2020
Wm. K. Walthers HO scale Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel locomotive. Amtrak (phase 2, 3, and 4 schemes) and VIA Rail Canada (Renaissance scheme in two road numbers and Canada scheme). Four numbers per scheme (two each in direct current and with dual-mode sound decoder) unless noted. Factory-installed […]
NJ Transit’s rail manager dies from coronavirus NEWSWIRE
Sunday morning rail news: — Raymond P. Kenny, 69, NJ Transit’s senior vice president and general manager of rail operations, has died of complications from the COVID-19 virus, NJ Transit announced Saturday. NJ.com reports that Kenny, who came to NJ Transit in January 2019 after 50 years at the Long Island Rail Road, was praised […]
MTA seeks another $3.9 billion in federal aid NEWSWIRE
Saturday morning rail news: — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking another $3.9 billion in federal aid to offset losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The MTA received $4 billion as part of the coronavirus relief act passed in March, but Newsday reports that MTA chairman Patrick Foye says the agency’s original estimates of […]
Micro-Trains N scale heavyweight coach
Micro-Trains N scale heavyweight coach Removing the heavy-weight coach’s press-fit roof reveals a one-piece interior with seat and partition detail. A workhorse New York Central heavyweight coach is now available in N scale from Micro-Trains Line Co. Our review sample is accurately detailed and decorated for NYC coach no. 2347. The prototype no. 2347 was […]
Sneak peek: Broadway Limited Imports HO scale streamlined PRR K4s
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale streamlined PRR K4 The detailed tender includes an operating backup light. The detailed cab interior includes painted crew figures. Broadway Limited Imports Paragon3 HO scale streamlined Pennsylvania RR K4s tender front Broadway Limited Imports Paragon3 HO scale streamlined PRR K4s steam locomotive It was a lucky day for the Pennsy […]
Piko Mogul 2-6-0 track powered steam locomotive in 1:24 scale
A right-front angled view of Piko’s mogul steam locomotive. Garden Railways file photo OK, I have a confession to make before I start. One of my favorite types of steam en-gines is the 2-6-0, commonly called a Mogul. To me, it was one of the pivotal pieces in the evo-lution of railroad motive power. Produced […]
Connecticut approves funding for commuter coaches NEWSWIRE
A Metro-North Waterbury Branch train approaches the station in Bridgeport, Conn., in August 2019. The branch will not be among the Metro-North operations receiving new passenger cars funded by Connecticut. TRAINS: David Lassen More Friday morning rail news: — The planned purchase of new passenger cars for Metro-North commuter rail service in Connecticut will include […]
CSX joins in Operation Gratitude effort for medical workers NEWSWIRE
Still more Friday morning rail news: — Nonprofit organization Operation Gratitude and CSX Transportation are teaming to deliver supplies and gifts of gratitude to frontline medical workers today for a network of 11 hospitals in eastern Pennsylvania. The newly formed Coalition to Support COVID-19 Frontline Responders was formed with Operation Gratitude by companies including CSX, […]