Why I love the Electro-Motive Division SW1

Photo of freshly painted locomotive at diesel servicing track

Meeting the Electro-Motive Division SW1 The time-tested Electro-Motive Division SW1 has long been one of my favorite diesel locomotives. My fascination with the 600hp end-cab switcher didn’t start when the locomotives were earning their keep on the big railroads. Instead, my introduction came at the Crookston (Minn.) Farmers Co-op Elevator, less than a block from […]

Read More…

LGB annual Christmas car

Two axle passenger car with Christmas decorations

Annual Christmas car Scale: Large scale (1:22.5) Price: $189 Manufacturer: LGB (Märklin, Inc.), 1406 Creek Trail Dr., Ste. 100, Jefferson City, MO 65109; 800-321-8811; lgb.com Features: Positionable doors Solid metal wheelsets Clear window glazing Plastic icicle detail Hook-and-loop couplers Release date: Third quarter 2022 Paint scheme: Christmas 2022 News & Products is a regular feature of […]

Read More…

HO scale 40-foot stockcar from Athearn

Boxcar red stockcar

40-foot stockcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Single car, $34.99; four-pack, $121.99 Era: 1940s+ to 1970s (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Separate, factory-applied brake wheel Underbody brake system details Machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body mounted McHenry scale couplers Minimum radius: 18”  Release […]

Read More…

HO scale 40-foot smooth-side intermodal container from Athearn

White intermodal container

40-foot smooth-side intermodal container Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Three-pack, $41.99 Era: 1970s to 1990s Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Injection-molded plastic Stackable Release date: September 2023 Paint schemes: American Mail Line (off-white), American Presidential Line (gray with red logo), “K” Line (gray with red logo), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines […]

Read More…

HO scale Overland passenger cars from Athearn

Old-time yellow passenger train car

Overland passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Coach, $42.99; four-pack (Busines car, coach, combine, and Railway Post Office), $149.98 Era: 1890s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: End handrails and ladders Clear (sides) and green-tinted (clerestory) windows RP-25 contour machined metal wheels Body mounted McHenry scale couplers Minimum radius: […]

Read More…

Davenport, Iowa, council approves deal with Canadian Pacific

Freight train with red locomotives on tracks near river

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport’s aldermen have approved an agreement with Canadian Pacific in which the railroad will provide up to $10 million to mitigate impacts of the planned merger with Kansas City Southern, which could triple freight traffic through the city. In return, the city will not oppose the merger. The vote at Wednesday’s city […]

Read More…

Grade-separation projects in Illinois, Alabama receive federal backing

Logo of Springfield Rail Improvements Project

Grade-separation projects in Springfield, Ill., and Sheffield, Ala., are among the latest projects to receive grants under the Department of Transportation’s RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program. In Springfield, a $19.8 million grant will fund an overpass at North Grand Avenue over Norfolk Southern and Illinois Midland rail lines. In a press […]

Read More…

President of Rail Development Corp., Bob Pietrandrea, retires

Head shot of smiling man with gray hair and glasses

PITTSBURGH — Robert A. (Bob) Pietrandrea, a founder of Railroad Development Corp. along with RDC Board Chairman Henry Posner III, has retired from his position as president of the company, as well as vice chairman of holding company the Hawthorne Group. His retirement was effective July 29, 2022. Pietrandrea’s first job in railroading was as […]

Read More…