Rapido Trains HO scale E8

Screen capture of product review video

The Rapido Trains HO scale E8 diesel locomotive decorated as Amtrak No. 4316 paid a visit to Model Railroader’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout. The six-axle passenger locomotive is decorated in Amtrak’s “day one” paint scheme. Features on the Rapido Trains HO scale E8 diesel locomotive include an injection-molded plastic body; a passenger pilot; separate, […]

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Railroads and maintenance of way union extend cooling off period until December

Man climbing on front steps of orange locomotive

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Class I railroads and the union representing maintenance of way employees today agreed to extend their cooling off period through at least Dec. 4, eliminating the prospect of a national strike or lockout this month. The prior cooling off period between the National Carriers Conference Committee and the Brotherhood of Maintenance […]

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Brightline to halt service early on Wednesday because of approaching storm (updated)

Train descends ramp from station

MIAMI — Brightline is altering operations between Miami and West Palm Beach as of this afternoon (Wednesday, Nov. 9) because of the approaching Tropical Storm Nicole, which forecasters have predicted will be a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall on Thursday. But while the passenger operator initially said it also expected to modify Thursday […]

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Challenger, preparing for move to Silvis, takes a ride on Cheyenne turntable (video)

Black steam locomotive on turntable

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 took one final ride on UP’s turntable at Cheyenne on Tuesday, as the locomotive prepares for its move to Silvis, Ill., in a trip beginning later this week. The locomotive is paired with the original tender for Big Boy No. 4014, since No. 4014 has been using […]

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J.B. Hunt sees massive intermodal growth opportunity on BNSF Railway

Double-stack container train passing maintenance equipment

CHICAGO — J.B. Hunt executives see the potential for major growth with partner BNSF Railway next year thanks to rival Schneider shifting its intermodal business to Union Pacific. Schneider’s move to UP, effective Jan. 1, comes a year after another major truckload carrier, Knight-Swift, left BNSF for UP. “We have massive capacity becoming available to […]

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Strasburg details 96-hour repair to engine No. 475

Front view of locomotive with weld repairs visible

STRASBURG, Pa. — Strasburg Rail Road’s ex-Norfolk & Western 4-8-0 steam engine No. 475 returned to excursion passenger duty this week after the company’s mechanical department worked overtime to repair smokebox damage from a Nov. 2 collision with a tracked excavator. The locomotive was back in service on Monday [see “Strasburg No.475 back in service […]

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Florida’s SunRail, Tri-Rail to suspend operations because of storm

Light blue locomotie with bilevel commuter cars crossing street

ORLANDO, Fla. — SunRail, the Orlando-area commuter operation that suffered significant damage on part of its route from the recent Hurricane Ian, has once again halted operations because of an approaching storm. Miami-area operator Tri-Rail, meanwhile, is also preparing to shut down. SunRail announced Tuesday afternoon it would halt operations today (Wednesday, Nov. 9) for […]

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Amtrak makes changes to Florida service because of approaching tropical storm

Passenger train with blue and silver locomotive at dusk

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced a series of changes and cancellations for Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and Auto Train departures scheduled for today (Tuesday, Nov. 8) through Friday, Nov. 11, because of the approach of Tropical Storm Nicole, which is being forecast to reach hurricane status by the time it arrives in Florida. The first […]

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Union Pacific launches pilot program to provide more predictable schedules for engineers

Two crew members stand next to their train as another train passes

CHICAGO – Union Pacific is running a small pilot program in Kansas that aims to bring more predictability to engineer schedules. The experiment comes as railroads have been having trouble retaining train crews and hiring new conductors at many locations across their systems — due in part to the unpredictable nature of the jobs. Ongoing […]

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Electro-Motive Division SD40 from Broadway Limited

A navy blue locomotive with yellow detailing

Electro-Motive Division SD40 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $399.99 Era: 1966+ (depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports LLC, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com   Electro-Motive Division SD40 features: Paragon4 sound & control System Integral dual-mode decoder with back-EMF ABS plastic body with die cast chassis Separately-applied details including handrails, grab irons, […]

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Repairs begin at site of September light rail derailment in Colorado

Damaged light-rail train in roadway

AURORA, Colo. — The Regional Transportation District has begun repairs at the intersection where a light rail train derailed in September, leading to an ongoing interruption of service on its R Line, the Denver Post reports. A train derailed at a 90-degree turn through the intersection of South Sable Boulevard and East Exposition Drive on […]

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