Southern California to face major passenger rail disruptions Oct. 25-26 (updated)

Passenger train passing construction equipment along beach

LOS ANGELES — Major disruptions to rail service in Southern California are slated for the weekend of Oct. 25-26, when Union Pacific, Metrolink, and the North County Transit District will conduct major track projects, shutting down three Metrolink lines, NCTD Coaster service, and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight. Separately, Metrolink has announced service changes […]

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California governor signs bill banning resale of retired diesel rail equipment

Two commuter trains await departure at station

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill prohibiting state agencies from reselling or otherwise transferring older diesel-powered rail equipment after it has been decommissioned by a public agency. SB 30 was introduced last December by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) in response to Caltrain’s sale of retired equipment for […]

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Iowa approves $3.3 million in funding for rail projects

Logo of Iowa Department of Transportation

CLINTON, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission, which oversees transportation planning for the state, approved $3.3 million in grants and loans for four rail infrastructure and related projects within the state at its Oct. 14, 2025, meeting. https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-14/33-million-awarded-through-iowas-railroad-revolving-loan-and-grant-program Receiving a $1.469 million grant was a new box manufacturing plant being built by International Paper in […]

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ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale four-bay covered hopper painted light gray with black, white, and yellow graphics on medium gray background

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper features: 36” machined metal wheelsets with .110” wide wheel tread Body-mounted, die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Early body with peaked roof or late body […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale (1:87.1) EMD FP45 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the FP45, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from 1967 through 1968, resulting in 14 units built for the Santa Fe and Milwaukee Road. The […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45 diesel locomotive

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale (1:87.1) EMD FP45 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the FP45, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from 1967 through 1968, resulting in 14 units built for the Santa Fe and Milwaukee Road. The […]

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Cathcart Rail names Driggers as new CEO

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Scott Driggers has been named CEO of Cathcart Rail, which operates three short line railroads, provides switching and transloading services, and a nationwide railcar service network. Driggers, who joined Cathcart Rail as chief operating officer in June, succeeds Jeff Chick. He brings more than 25 years of rail industry experience, including leadership […]

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Pacific Harbor Line to work with startup Remora on carbon-capture technology

WILMINGTON, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line has entered into an agreement with Michigan-based startup Remora, which is developing carbon capture technology for freight rail and trucking. The railroad, which serves the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is also an investor in Remora, and Peter Gilbertson, CEO of PHL’s parent company, Anacostia Rail Holdings, […]

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Rail merger talk, clues about economy likely to dominate Class I earnings calls

Freight train running down street of small town

CSX will lead off the rail industry’s third-quarter earnings season when it reports its financial results on Thursday afternoon. The earnings call will be the first time investors will hear from new CEO Steve Angel, who replaced Joe Hinrichs last month. Wall Street analysts are likely to parse every word from Angel regarding the direction […]

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Illinois legislators return, could address transit funding deficit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are expected to make another attempt to address the budget deficit facing Chicago transit agencies during a veto session that begins today (Oct. 14, 2025) — although it remains to be seen if the issue will have the same amount of urgency since the size of the deficit has been […]

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Union Pacific awards more than $4 million to nonprofit organizations

Freight train with two yellow locomotives passing under signal bridge

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has distributed more than $4 million in grants to 430 nonprofit organizations across its system as part of its Community Ties Giving Program, the railroad announced Monday (Oct. 13). Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000, and support what the railroad says are its giving priorities: safety, workforce development, community vitality, […]

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