Tourist railroads navigate higher fuel costs amid economic uncertainty

Steam locomotive next to blue high-nosed diesel

CHICAGO — Tourist railroads continue to see strong summer demand despite record inflation and high fuel prices. Railroads note, however, that the tide may be turning as mounting economic uncertainty may change consumer buying decisions. According to the U.S. Travel Association, American consumers reached a new pandemic high of $101 billion in travel spending in […]

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Canadian government, short line combine on improvements at Port of Windsor

Logo of Essex Terminal Railway

WINDSOR, Ontario — The Canadian government and Essex Terminal Railway will combine on a project to expand warehouse capacity and improve transloading at the Port of Windsor, officials announced Tuesday. The government will provide C$5 million in funding for the project, which Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release is “critical to maintaining […]

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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to resume normal operations

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad logo

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — After a lengthy period of modified operations because of riverbank erosion along its route, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will return to its regular schedule this Saturday, July 16. Since March, the railroad had been running 16-mile trips instead of offering its full 52-mile round trip, and departing only from its Rockside […]

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New owner for industrial park, short line near Houston

Map of Houston area showing location of Gulf Inland Logistics Park

DAYTON, Texas — Liberty Development Partners has purchased a 1,158-acre industrial park near Houston, as well as the railroad that serves the facility. Liberty says it plans to turn the Gulf Inland Logistics Park into a manufacturing, distribution, and storage hub. The purchase includes the CMC Railroad, a Class III short line which has been […]

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Norfolk Southern train derails in Georgia

Aerial view of derailed tank cars

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — No injuries are reported and no hazardous materials are said to be involved after a Norfolk Southern train derailed Tuesday afternoon, closing a highway and an entrance to Robins Air Force Base. About 20 railcars are involved, Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner told WMAZ-TV. At least some of those are […]

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BLET votes overwhelmingly to authorize national strike

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — By a resounding margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have authorized a strike — a move that could come as soon as Monday, July 18. The union — which represents more than 57,000 U.S. rail employees — reports 99.5% of its members voted to authorize a strike if […]

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How can I restore the wet water look on my layout?

How to restore the wet water look: A scrap of paper towel is used to wipe dust from the surface of a modeled river

Q: Years ago, I used Liquitex Gloss Medium to create the water in two rivers on my layout. Now, I’ve noticed that they’re not as glossy as they once were. I periodically use a Woodland Scenics Dust Dabber and a wide, soft paintbrush to remove dust from the surface. How would you recommend that I clean the […]

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Atlas HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40C diesel locomotive

red illustration of locomotive

General Electric Dash 8-40C diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct current with factory-installed speaker –front ditch lights, $199.99; front and rear ditch lights, $209.99; and undecorated with front ditch lights (Phase I and II), $179.99. With dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder – front ditch lights, $309.95; front and rear ditch lights, $319.95; and undecorated with front […]

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Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car from Walthers

black tank car

Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.98 Era: Modern Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car features: Based on cars updated with reinforced ends, revised end platforms, and multi-valve housing to comply with Federal Railroad Administration mandates Photo-etched metal end […]

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