MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 15 — He’s back!

Model Railroader video Plus Underground Week 15

David welcomes back (virtually) MRVP’s Gerry Leone for another episode from the basement bunker! This time the two of them address a few viewer questions and comments, share several tips and tricks, and even chat a bit about projects to come! Plus, David also takes a closer look at the interior of his On30 caboose […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 14 — Plethra o’ projects

Model Railroader video Plus Underground Week 14

Judging from the stack of stuff on David’s MRVP Underground workbench, he’s gonna need to work fast to cover all of those projects! But given time and motivation to stay busy, you can bet he’ll jump right into several modeling, weathering, and kitbuilding efforts in this episode. […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 11 — A virtual guest

Model Railroader Video Plus Underground Week 11

David has a guest? A virtual guest, that is. But he’s certainly no stranger to MRVP! By way of virtual meeting software, Off The Rails host Gerry Leone checks out the Underground action, lets us know about his new layout progress, and even offers up a great tip. […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 10 — Troublesome trip pin

Model Railroader Video Plus Underground Week 10

More work on On30 gondola trucks and wheelsets… at least until David gets tripped up by a new coupler installation that doesn’t quite measure up to the NMRA standards. Follow along, as he works out this and other issues in the fine details of his freight car project. […]

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Southern California’s Arrow line to begin operation Oct. 24

Map with orange rail line and blue background

REDLANDS, Calif. — San Bernardino County’s Arrow rail service, connecting Redlands to downtown San Bernardino and a connection with Metrolink commuter rail service, will begin revenue service on Monday, Oct. 24, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority has announced. The 9-mile, five-station route will debut with Stadler diesel multiple-unit trainsets offering service between Redlands and […]

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JST-Next18 adapter kit from SoundTraxx

Socket for digital command control decoder

JST-Next18 adapter kit Price: $16.96 Manufacturer: SoundTraxx, 141 Burnett Dr., Durango, CO 81301; 970-259-0690; soundtraxx.com Features: Allows use of TSU-N18 in almost any N scale model Next-18 socket Six functions Solder pads for additional functionality Dimensions: 16 x 9.5 x 5mm Max function current: 100mA per output Release date: Available now News & Products is a regular feature of […]

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Hitachi Rail shows design for new Maryland factory

Image of long white factory building

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Hitachi Rail has released final designs for a $70 million factory to be built on a 41-acre site in Washington County, Md., which will begin operations by building a 256-car order for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The factory, projected to open in the first quarter of 2024, will employ up […]

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VIA Rail Canada adds ‘buffer’ cars to rear of all heritage-equipped trains

Passenger train with dome-lounge-observation at rear draws away from photographer's location on curve

MONTREAL — An independent consultant’s inspection requested by VIA Rail Canada management has prompted the company to immediately assign non-revenue buffer cars at the rear of all trains that utilize HEP-1 and HEP-2 stainless steel equipment manufactured more than 60 years ago. The action was taken unilaterally by VIA last week as a safety precaution, […]

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Locomotive builders seek path to the future

Diagram of red and gray battery-electric locomotive

FORT WORTH, Texas — Railroading’s path is clearly heading away from the diesel-electric locomotive, the builders of those locomotives agree. Where that path leads is far less clear, representatives of Alstom, Progress Rail, Siemens, and Wabtec said in a discussion at last week’s Railway Supply Institute Conference. Battery power, hydrogen, and hybrids of all sorts […]

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