OTTAWA, Ontario — Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau filed legislation on Monday that would mandate the installation of voice and video recorders in locomotive cabs. The recommendation is a response to the February 2012 fatal wreck of a Toronto-bound VIA Rail Canada train in Burlington, Ont. Train 92 was going four times the posted track […]
Section: News & Reviews
UPDATE: Canada tweaks grain regulations and proposes expanded interswitching NEWSWIRE

A grain hopper on a unit grain train in Wisconsin. Brian Schmidt OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian government on Monday proposed updating regulations covering rail service, grain rates, and interswitching. The Transportation Modernization Act will promote transparency and balance the competing needs of shippers and railroads, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in announcing the legislation. […]
New model trains for the week of May 18, 2017

HO scale locomotives Illinois Central Paducah, Ky.,-rebuilt GP10 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Arizona & Eastern (Genesee & Wyoming scheme, two road numbers), Bloomer Line (two numbers), Carlton Trail Ry. (four numbers), Central Kansas Ry. (Okanagan Valley Ry. patchout, two numbers), Gulf & Mississippi (one number), Hudson Bay Ry. (one number), Louisiana & Delta (Genesee […]
Video: Atlas HO scale NJ Transit ALP-45DP and Bombardier cars

The Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout stands in for northern New Jersey in this exclusive product video. Check out the Atlas HO scale Bombardier ALP-45DP and multilevel passenger cars. All the equipment is decked out in contemporary NJ Transit paint schemes. The cars feature overhead lighting and the locomotive features realistic sound […]
CSX to possibly close Selkirk hump yard, convert to flat switching NEWSWIRE

CSX yard jobs serve Selkirk’s east end departure yard tracks in this May 7, 2017 view of Selkirk Yard. Gary R. Schermerhorn SELKIRK, N.Y. — CSX Transportation may be in the earliest stages of converting its Selkirk hump yard to a flat switching facility. Labor groups representing local train service workers sent out notices to […]
In memoriam: Professional model builder Chris Comport
Chris Comport, 68, died on May 4 in Wisconsin. Chris wrote several stories for Model Railroader and other hobby magazines and was a professional model builder who built client layouts while working with Raildreams Inc. Chris also worked for A.I.M. Products (now part of Monroe Models) and offered his own line of model railroad structures […]
Union Pacific to host two-year-long celebration of the Transcontinental Railroad completion NEWSWIRE

UP has created this new 150th anniversary logo celebrating the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869. Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is launching a two-year-long celebration commemorating the great race to complete the Transcontinental Railroad nearly 150 years ago. During the next two years, the railroad will host a traveling exhibit, […]
Atlas HO scale NJ Transit commuter train

Atlas HO scale NJ Transit commuter train The Atlas locomotive’s mechanism, including a dual-flyweel-equipped motor, ride on a heavy, die-cast metal chassis Both the top and bottom interior levels of the trailers and cab cars feature overhead lighting. Several surface-mount light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are attached along the length of each light board. All the cars’ […]
WalthersMainline HO scale covered hopper

WalthersMainline HO cylindrical covered hopper A 59-foot cylindrical covered hopper has been added to the WalthersMainline family of HO scale products. The ready-to-run car features an injection-molded plastic body with separate end sheets and one-piece end cages. The underbody is a separate piece with freestanding outlet gates and brake appliances. North of the border. The […]
Quick Look: Woodland Scenics HO Just Plug vehicles

Woodland Scenics HO scale Just Plug Police Car Price: $29.99 Manufacturer Woodland Scenics P.O. Box 98 Linn Creek, MO 65052 www.woodlandscenics.com Era: 1940s to 1950s Comments: As a modeler who has burned out more lightbulbs and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) than he has successfully wired, I was pleased when Woodland Scenics came out with its Just […]
Quick Look: Fox Valley Models N scale 7-post boxcar

Fox Valley Models N scale 7-post boxcar Price: $19.95 Manufacturer Fox Valley Models P.O. Box 1970 Des Plaines, IL 60017 www.foxvalleymodels.com Era: 1964 to present Road names: Wisconsin Central, Burlington Northern, BNSF Ry. (post-2005 scheme), Great Northern (Glacier Green), Montana Rail Link, Soo Line (three paint schemes). Three road numbers per scheme. Comments: Fox Valley […]
Ringling Bros. Red unit deadheads home, Blue unit prepares for disposition NEWSWIRE

Prior to departing Charleston, W.Va., on May 8, every car of the Ringling Bros. ‘Blue’ unit was switched in order of its upcoming setoff for disposition to private owners. Similar to the Red Unit, many of the Blue Unit cars will be setoff in Oak Island, N.J., after a series of performances end in Uniondale, […]