Coal mining companies complain about rail service, particularly in the East

Blue and yellow locomotive and train of hopper cars passes under signal bridge

WASHINGTON — The trade group representing coal mining operators has asked federal regulators to take action regarding erratic rail service, particularly in the east on CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. Mines have had to curtail production due to poor rail service that’s only getting worse even as demand for coal rises, the National Mining Association […]

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Walthers 40-foot Ortner 100-ton aggregate hopper

Model of yellow hopper with white background

40-foot Ortner 100-ton aggregate hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $44.98 Era: 1970s to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 40-foot Ortner 100-ton aggregate hopper features: Air-equipped door details as appropriate Factory-installed wire grab irons and end railings Removable load Detailed brake […]

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Five ways to make durable signs for your structures

two signs on the side of a model building

We share five ways to make durable signs for your large-scale structures. Methods include using decals, vinyl stencils, styrene and magnets, and more. Weathered enamel signs Here’s an easy way to simulate old, rusting enamel signs. First, invent and print the sign, or take a photo of a real one. Print the image on glossy […]

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Innotrans trade fair opens in Berlin

Cab ends of red trainset and blue and white trainset on adjacent display tracks

BERLIN — The world’s biggest rail industry trade fair, InnoTrans, has returned after a four-year gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The show opened its doors in Berlin today (Tuesday, Sept. 20), with 2,834 exhibitors from 56 countries using the entire Messe Berlin exhibition grounds, which includes 26 buildings covering more than 1.7 million square feet, […]

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Wabtec signs deal for FLXdrive locomotives, LNG conversions in Kazakhstan

Logo of Wabtec Corp. Five-mind blowing facts — Wabtec

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has announced a $600 million agreement to provide 150 battery-electric switch engines using its FLXdrive technology for Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan’s national railway company. The memorandum of understanding also includes modernization work to convert KTZ’s mainline locomotive fleet with its NextFuel liquid natural gas system. The announcement coincides with the InnoTrans international […]

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Norfolk Southern train derails in Southern Illinois

Norfolk Southern logo

ALBERS, Ill. — Twenty-six cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Monday morning between the towns of Albers and New Baden, leading to an extensive response from authorities that included a hazardous-materials team as a precautionary measure. No injuries were reported. The Belleville News-Democrat reports the derailment was reported at 11:22 a.m., leading a response […]

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Club cars from the Illini Chapter of the Professional Car Society

Two black coal hoppers

Club cars from the Illini Chapter of the Professional Car Society Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $23.98 plus shipping (one car, $9.45; multiple cars, $10.35 to USA addresses; $22.10 for foreign orders of any size) Era: Varies depending on car type Manufacturer: Produced by Accurail, available from Illini Chapter PCS, 918 W. Colfax St., Palatine, IL […]

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WalthersProto Electro-Motive Division SW9, SW900, and SW1200 diesel locomotives

Model of orange and black train locomotive

Electro-Motive Division SW9/SW900/SW1200 diesel locomotives Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with Next18 plug, $199.98; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder, $299.98. Era: 1954 to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Electro-Motive Division SW9, SW900, and SW1200 diesel locomotives features: Road-specific details Detailed cab interior with […]

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