Walthers HO 40-foot double-sheathed boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO 40-foot double-sheathed boxcar features: 5-5-5 Murphy steel ends 33” turned-metal wheels on plastic axles Detailed AB brake gear Andrews trucks Based on later rebuilds and upgrades of older, wood […]
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BNSF finishes double-track and siding projects in Texas and Arizona
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has completed a pair of capacity projects in Texas and Arizona. On the Fort Worth Subdivision, the railroad has wrapped up a multiyear project that added eight miles of second main line between Lake Wanda and Bredenberg, just north of downtown Fort Worth. “Located between our Alliance facilities and […]
Federal shutdown affects railroad regulatory agencies (updated)
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will furlough 23% of its staff as a result of the partial government shutdown that began today. The agency’s Office of Railroad Safety — which is responsible for investigating rail accidents as well as inspecting railroad equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with federal regulations — will continue working […]
VIA Rail delays test of nonstop Montreal-Toronto service
VIA Rail Canada has postponed its plan to test nonstop service between Montreal and Toronto, CBC reports. VIA Rail had sought to test express train service between Canada’s largest cities beginning Sept. 29, but said it would have to hold off due to “operational constraints” on Canadian National. The express service would shave 30 to […]
WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 diesel locomotive
In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a deep dive into the WalthersProto HO scale (1:87.1) EMD NW2 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the NW2, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from February 1939 through December 1949. The review sample is decorated as Union Pacific […]
WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 diesel locomotive
In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a deep dive into the WalthersProto HO scale (1:87.1) EMD NW2 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the NW2, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from February 1939 through December 1949. The review sample is decorated as Union Pacific […]
ScaleTrains S 40-foot wood refrigerator car
ScaleTrains S 40-foot wood refrigerator car Scale: S (1:64) Price: $59.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains S 40-foot wood refrigerator car features: Detailed brake system Equipped with American Flyer-compatible wheels and operating couplers Fish-belly underframe Freestanding vertical brake staff Injection-molded plastic body Metal handrails and grab irons […]
BNSF to shippers: Speak up about UP-NS merger (updated)
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway says Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern will reduce rail competition, raise rates, curtail service, and likely lead to an operational meltdown. BNSF unveiled a position paper on the UP-NS combination yesterday while encouraging customers to voice their concerns with the Surface Transportation Board, which will review the […]
STB proposes streamlining, improving rail data collection
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today proposed streamlining and improving reporting requirements for Class I rail carriers, including the weekly operational performance measures that serve as a network bellwether. The board aims to improve the quality of performance data that the railroads report each week. It also proposes adding two new service measures: An […]
Signal workers’ union rejects tentative contract agreement
FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen has rejected the tentative agreement reached with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the union said on Tuesday. The rank and file voted the agreement down, with 52.89% casting “no” votes. “Our members have spoken,” BRS President Mike Baldwin said in a statement. “The BRS remains committed […]
SMART-TD welcomes departure of CSX CEO
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The SMART-TD union today welcomed the departure of CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs, saying the appointment of Steve Angel as chief executive is an opportunity to improve the labor-management relationship. “With the appointment of Steve Angel as CSX’s new Chief Executive Officer, SMART TD hopes that this change can mark the beginning of […]
Menards O Scale Telephone Poles
Menards recently sent Classic Toy Trains a box of sample products. At the bottom was a small package I almost overlooked because of its size. It was marked “O Scale Telephone Poles” (No. 275-9417). I was heading to the workshop to test another product, so I added the telephone pole box to my pile. Before […]
