News photos: Indiana city saves, relocates interlocking tower

Brick building being moved down street

UNION CITY, Ind. — The former CSX interlocking tower in Union City was successfully moved Tuesday from its long-time location to a city park one block away. The tower, closed since 1968, will be turned into public restrooms and a visitor’s center at Union City’s Artisan Crossing, a gathering space for community and artistic events. […]

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Corsican mint

Coriscan mint in the background of two figurines next to track

Common name: Corsican mint Plant type: Groundcover Latin name: Mentha requienii Plant size: ¼” to ½” high; spreading USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9; annual in other zones Cultural needs: Moist, well drained neutral or slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Easily one of the flattest groundcovers, with the tiniest purple flowers, Corsican mint is great […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger car, train set, structure, and detail announcements for July 29, 2021

BNSF Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 29, 2021. HO scale locomotives  Canadian National GP9RM diesel locomotive kit. […]

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News & products for the week of July 29, 2021

Betsy Ross American Traditions refrigerator car.

Large scale freight cars  Betsy Ross 40-foot refrigerator car. Hook-and-loop couplers; separate, factory-applied brake wheel, running boards, and stirrup steps; and plastic wheels. $119.99. October 2021. American Traditions series. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com Christmas 2021 40-foot boxcar. Hook-and-loop couplers; separate, factory-applied brake wheel, running boards, and stirrup steps; and plastic wheelsets. Model will only be […]

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News & Products for the week of July 29, 2021

International Bridge & Terminal 50-foot high-cube boxcar.

O gauge freight cars  Gunderson 50-foot high-cube boxcar. Arkansas-Oklahoma (Mineral Red), Canadian Pacific (Mineral Red with NKCR reporting marks), GATX (blue with large lettering and heritage logo in one road number and blue with small lettering; both with LRS reporting marks), International Bridge & Terminal (green with Boise Cascade logo), Southern Ry. of British Columbia […]

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NJ Transit reform bill drops key provision

NJ Transit logo

TRENTON, N.J. — A bill proposing reforms for management of NJ Transit has removed one of its key proposals, changing the way the agency’s board chair is selected. NorthJersey.com reports state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, majority leader and the bill’s sponsor, has dropped the requirement that the chair be selected by board members, instead of automatically […]

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Analysis: What’s next for Amtrak’s ‘traditional’ dining

Plate of food on linen table cloth next to window of passenger car

Second of two parts. Part One is here. CHICAGO — An expanded menu selection and increased emphasis on food quality and preparation aren’t the only changes in Amtrak’s reinvention of dining car service on five western long-distance trains this summer. “They have made some really good choices,” observes Michael Provost, a Los Angeles-based server on […]

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Man at work

Man sits in front of dispatchers’ panel making notation on paper

Man at work Baltimore & Ohio Dispatcher Carl Donald makes an entry on his trainsheet in DR Tower in Deshler, Ohio, in the early 1950s. Deshler lies at the crossing of the B&O’s Pittsburgh to Chicago and Toledo to Cincinnati main lines. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]

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News photo: UP fire train at Keddie Wye

Men spraying water off train on bridge under smoky skies

Union Pacific has posted photos to its Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts showing a firefighting train at work on the bridge at the famous Keddie Wye on its ex-Western Pacific Feather River Canyon route, with the message: “Thanks to our crews on our fire trains, working tirelessly to help control fires in northern […]

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Review: Amtrak reinvents ‘traditional’ dining car meals

Chef preparing food on a dining car's grill.

First of two parts ABOARD THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF — A month after Amtrak revamped dining-car menus on the five long-distance trains that serve the West Coast — replacing pre-packaged meals in a bowl with freshly-prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — it’s clear the company is aiming for a higher standard than what it previously offered. […]

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