WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic in June was down 3.2% from 2021 levels, providing mixed indicators about the state of the nation’s economy, according to the Association of American Railroads. The June figure included a 1.5% decline in carload traffic and a 4.6% drop in intermodal units. “As conjecture grows about the direction of the […]
OTTUMWA, Iowa — The City of Ottumwa has agreed to purchase the city’s Amtrak depot, currently owned by the Iowa Heartland Historical Connection. The Ottumwa Courier reports that, by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, the Ottumwa City Council agreed to purchase the building at a cost of $480,000, funds included in bond approvals earlier this […]
Alco RS-series diesel locomotives Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $139.95 (undecorated, $129.95); with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $249.95 (undecorated, $239.95). Era: 1950s through 1980+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com Alco RS-series diesel locomotive features: Accumate couplers Blackened metal wheels Directional golden-white […]
Electro-Motive Division DDA40X diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $429.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $599.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime model. Era: Late 1960s to early 1970s Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Electro-Motive Division DDA40X diesel locomotive features: All-wheel electrical pickup Celcon handrails and […]
Modeler Dave Abeles answers a series of questions regarding his model railroading journey. In this video, Abeles explains his young start, and how his passion for trains has kept him coming back to the hobby for years. Not only does he offer his advice to novice hobbyists, he also discusses some of his own experiences […]
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, according to the Unifor union. In voting by workers across Canada from June 20 to July 1, members of Unifor Council 4000 were 99.3% in favor of a strike, while Unifor Local 100 members voted 99.4% in favor. “The strike vote result […]
American Z Line June 2022 announcements Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Great Northern Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive, September-October 1967 to early 1970s. Wabash Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, 1949 to early 1960s. Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com EMD SW1500 features: AutoLatch couplers Prototype-specific details Directional light-emitting-diode lighting Blackened metal wheels Traction […]
What was your first train set (or locomotive)? Meet Dave Abeles: My first train set was the Tyco ‘Silver Streak’ set in HO scale (1984). I had loved trains since before I could walk or talk. In the late 1970s, my parents told stories of me always asking for trains and standing for hours anywhere […]
PARIS — French railway workers went on strike today (Wednesday, July 6), with national rail operator SNCF advising customers not to travel if at all possible. Reuters reports three of the four main unions at SNCF were taking part in the strike resulting in the cancellation of about a third of all trains. Paris commuter […]
CHICAGO — When bad CSX track caused the northbound Auto Train to derail 14 of 16 Superliners at Crescent City, Fla., on April 18, 2002, Amtrak strategists scrambled but were able to counteract the resulting equipment shortage. Dealing with a similar shock to the system today — such as the one caused by last week’s […]
BRIDGEPORT, N.J. — SMS Rail Services, perhaps best known to enthusiasts as the operator of a roster of Baldwin diesel locomotives that work on several rail switching operations, is preparing to enter the passenger excursion business on its newest line acquisition. SMS, established in 1994 to serve the large Pureland Industrial Park in Bridgeport, N.J., […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak will restore a second day round trip of the Missouri River Runner between St. Louis and Kansas City as of Monday, July 18, reflecting additional funding by the state of Missouri. The additional round trip will see train No. 311 depart St. Louis at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Kansas City at […]
