Electro-Motive Division BL2 from Bachmann

Black streamlined diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division BL2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: To be announced Era: 1947+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: New and existing tooling Directional light-emitting-diode headlights with Rule 17 dimming Dual-mode decoder E-Z Mate Mark II couplers Blackened RP-25 contour wheels Release date: 2023 Paint schemes: Chesapeake & Ohio […]

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New-equipment initiatives highlighted in Amtrak sustainability report

Black locomotive with blue and white stripes leads passenger train

WASHINGTON — Building on the environmental benefits of rail travel, Amtrak has released its Fiscal 2021 Sustainability Report, outlining its efforts to improve sustainability by addressing greenhouse gas emissions and use of diesel fuel and electricity. Those efforts include the introduction of new Siemens Charger locomotives on long-distance routes, Tier-4-compliant units that emit 89% less […]

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Bowser Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive

Tuscan red diesel locomotive

Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current, $249.95; with sound decoder, $349.95 Era: 1953 to 1979 Manufacturer: Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 1302 Jordan Ave., Montoursville, PA 17754; 570-368-2379; bowser-trains.com Features: Can motor Light-emitting diode lighting Blackened, nickel-plated wheels Separate, factory-applied detail parts Release date: Fall 2023 Paint schemes: Pennsylvania RR (as-delivered with […]

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Metra board approves deal for up to six battery locomotives

Illustration of Metra locomotive in green versioin of paint scheme

CHICAGO — More than a year after requesting proposals for the project, Metra’s board of directors has approved a plan to convert at least three of its oldest F40PH-3 locomotives, and as many as six, to battery power. Progress Rail will perform the conversions at its Patterson, Ga., facility, with delivery of the initial order […]

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Indiana Northeastern upgrades, repaints ex-Reading GP30

Front view of black locomotive with yellow stripes on nose

HUDSON, Ind. — Mechanical staff of the Indiana Northeaster Railroad is in the process of completing upgrades and repainting of ex-Reading Lines locomotive No. 2185, one of the two GP30s on the 105-mile system which operates in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Travis Bloom, chief mechanical officer for the railroad, leads a staff of four mechanical […]

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Almost a road-switcher

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Missouri Pacific 4102 and 4103 were Electro-Motive’s only model NW4 locomotives. Built in 1938 using 900 h.p. Winton 201A engines, road trucks, and other components from experimental box-cab passenger units 511 and 512, the steam-generator-equipped diesels possessed some of the characteristics of a road-switcher. Electro-Motive photo […]

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A Mikado out West, a Reading diesel in Pennsylvania, and a UP freight on the Plains

An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive pulls a short freight through a Southwestern desert landscape

September 2022 Trackside Photos   Send us your photos Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. Send your photos (digital images 5 megapixels or larger) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612; or upload them to fileupload.kalmbach.com/contribute. For our photo submission guidelines, contact senior associate editor […]

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WalthersProto Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive

Dark green and orange diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin DCC plug, $219.98; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 decoder, $319.98. Era: 1960s to 1980s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive features: Road-specific details See-through steps, radiator, and dynamic brake fans […]

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Rapido General Motors Diesel Division F40PH-2D diesel locomotive

Gray and yellow train locomotive on tracks with a blue sky background

General Motors Diesel Division F40PH-2D diesel locomotive Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model, $169.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $279.95 Era: 1986 to 2014 (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com General Motors Diesel Division F40PH-2D diesel locomotive features: Prototype-specific details Working headlights, ditch lights, and number boxes […]

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