In popularity, the postwar Lionel gang car is exceeded by only the trolley car in terms of Auto-Pilot fun on the tinplate rails. Lionel’s release of the 1950s favorite lives up to its reputation. Both the gang car and trolley operate on the same concept. The car runs in one direction until it hits an […]
MTH brings us a B-class switcher. As Al Staufer noted in his book Pennsy Power, few electrified railways could dedicate electric locomotives simply to the task of switching cars. But the Pennsylvania Railroad, with its vast network of yards and terminals under wire, could. In 1926, the Pennsy’s Altoona, Pa., shops began producing these little […]
Cab units are a staple of O gauge model railroading. They are crowd pleasers and are updated every few years with new features or improvements. A corollary of that statement is the increased expectations on the part of hobbyists. The greater the level of detail you see, the more you expect. The better the low-end […]
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law legislation mandating a minimum of two crew members on passenger and most freight trains operating in the state. The governor did veto a provision declaring the act effective immediately. “Given the complexity of this legislation, the Utilities and Transportation Commission [which has rail-safety oversight duties […]
A Metro-North Waterbury Branch train arrives at the Bridgeport, Conn., station in August 2019. The state of Connecticut is expected to approve funding for new coaches for this and other commuter lines in the state. TRAINS: David Lassen More Tuesday morning rail news: — Connecticut is expected to approve $300 million in funding for new […]
Canadian National’s purchase of the CSX Massena line, shown in purple, has been approved. Canadian National WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Monday approved Canadian National’s acquisition of CSX Transportation’s line linking the Montreal area with Syracuse, N.Y., a deal the railroads say will improve service for cross-border traffic. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board decision, effective […]
The City of New Orleans stops at Hazlehurst, Miss., in May 2018. CN is not allowing the train to stop here when it makes its stop to switch passengers to and from buses further south at McComb, Miss. Bob Johnston CN’s trestle over the Bonnet Carre Spillway, as seen from an Amtrak Thruway bus in […]
A Sounder South commuter train arrives in Tacoma, Wash., in June 2018. Sound Transit will further reduce Sounder South service as of Wednesday. TRAINS: David Lassen Tuesday morning virus-related rail news: — Sound Transit has halted almost all construction because of the COVID-19 outbreak, stalling work on three light rail expansion projects. The Seattle Times […]
Stepping into the “wayback” machine, Lionel’s 0-4-0 steam switcher is a model of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s B6-class 0-6-0. Just before World War II, Lionel made several variations of its B6 switcher, two of which – Nos. 1662 and 1663 – used 0-4-0 instead of 0-6-0 wheel arrangements. The model was in and out of the […]
ST. LOUIS — RR Mergers & Acquisitions announces the sale of Allpress & Moore Railroad Signal Contractors to CDL Electric Company. With operating bases in Missouri and Iowa, Allpress & Moore provides engineering, wiring, testing and construction for highway railroad crossings. The company has performed work in the 48 contiguous states. “We’re pleased to welcome […]
A screen shot from BNSF’s video updating its response to the COVID-19 virus. BNSF Railway Three Class I railroads have released videos addressing their response to the coronavirus pandemic. BNSF Railways’ video, available here, features Jon Gabriel, general superintendent of the railroad’s Network Operations Center in Fort Worth, Texas. It updates current service and moves […]
A northbound Amtrak Northeast Regional train passes through Princeton Junction, N.J., in August 2019. As of Monday, Northeast Corridor operations are down to 10 trains between New York and Washington. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Though his tenure as Amtrak’s next president doesn’t officially begin until April 15, William J. Flynn was introduced to employees […]
