Model railroad locomotive, freight car, and passenger equipment announcements for November 18, 2021

Burlington Northern Electro-Motive Division F units.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of November 18, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F units. F9A and […]

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Analysis: CSX, NS guard status quo in Gulf Coast filing

Freight train with blue and yellow engine leaving main line

MOBILE, Ala. — In a filing with the Surface Transportation Board earlier this month, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern asserted the railroads’ freight operation will suffer a “catastrophic meltdown” if Amtrak is allowed to add two daily passenger round trips between New Orleans and Mobile. Yet the 277-page “opening evidence” document by the two carriers […]

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Railroads’ use of long trains to go under the microscope

Locomotives lead freight train under golden sky from setting sun

WASHINGTON – The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill President Biden is slated to sign into law today (Monday, Nov. 15) contains funding for a study of Class I railroads’ use of ever-longer trains and their impact on safety, grade crossings, freight and passenger service, and the environment. The measure provides up to $2 million for the […]

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Montreal light rail system sees flaws with new railcars

Rail transit vehicle in snow

MONTREAL — Light rail equipment for Montreal’s Réseau Express Métropolitain system shows manufacturing flaws that could put passengers at risk, the Montreal Gazette reported, citing a French-language report by Radio-Canada. The report says the first group of light rail vehicles delivered to Quebec from construction in India shows wiring, assembly, and finishing exhibiting “a breach […]

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New Jersey buys Norfolk Southern right-of-way for linear park

Map showing former rail line to be turned into park

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. — The state of New Jersey is purchasing an abandoned rail right-of-way from Norfolk Southern Railroad to turn it into a linear park, a project Gov. Phil Murphy is comparing to New York City’s landmark High Line Park. WNBC-TV reports Murphy on Friday announced the state’s purchase of the 9-mile-long, 100-foot-wide route from Montclair […]

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Washington Hill

Steam-powered train passes a diesel-powered train by a semaphore signal

Washington Hill Electro-Motive F3s on a westbound freight wait in the clear at Chester, Mass., for the New England States to pass on its way to Chicago. Pacific 589 assists the States’ road engine, a three-unit Baldwin diesel, up Washington Hill. James D. Bennett photo […]

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An introduction to track wiring basics

Diagram showing the path power takes from a booster, through a bus, and to the track.

There is probably no other aspect of our hobby that creates more anxiety and confusion for newcomers than wiring. When you’re starting at absolute ground zero on the learning curve it can be daunting at times. However, at the most basic level, what we’re trying to do is get electricity from a power source to […]

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Tichy Train Group announces new HO scale structure kit

Tichy Train Group HO scale one-room schoolhouse with picket fence and outhouse on scenicked base.

Tichy Train Group, manufacturer of structure and freight car details, decals, and other products in N, HO, S, and O scales, has added a one-room schoolhouse kit to its HO scale product line-up. The injection-molded styrene schoolhouse includes windows, two different doors, an outhouse, 28” of fancy picket fence, porch railings, a one-piece roof, and […]

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Eastern Seaboard Models enters HO scale market

Eastern Seaboard Models HO scale New Haven & Bangor & Aroostook 40-foot heated, insulated plug-door boxcars.

Eastern Seaboard Models, well-known for its N and Z scale products, announced that it will be entering the HO scale market. The company’s initial offerings will be Magor and Pacific Car & Foundry 40-foot XIH heated, insulated plug-door boxcars. The first cars will be a circa 1950 Bangor & Aroostook boxcar based on a Magor […]

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