Ask Trains: Why do EOTs only flash at night?

An orange end of train device is seen atop the rear coupler of a passing train

EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]

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STB urges mediation in Amtrak-CN contract renewal dispute

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WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will appoint a mediator to resolve differences in long-simmering operating agreement negotiations between Amtrak and Canadian National. The agency’s decision, released late last week, provides a rare glimpse inside a document which governs on time performance measurement, financial incentives, and penalties. Amtrak and its hosts generally keep contract details […]

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Atlas Master Series N scale EMD SD35 diesel

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Atlas Master Series N scale EMD SD35 diesel A split die-cast metal frame surrounds the mechanism and provides electrical contact between the power pickups on the trucks and the decoder. The Electro-Motive Division SD35 is one of the latest Atlas Master Series N scale locomotives to be upgraded with factory-installed Digital Command Control (DCC) and […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO scale P5a

Broadway Limited Imports HO scale P5a

Broadway Limited Imports HO scale P5a NOTE: We ran an earlier sample of the P5A on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy model railroad. WATCH THE VIDEO!   The boxcabs are back! Broadway Limited allowed us to get a sneak preview of its new HO scale Pennsylvania RR P5a electrics, and now we have production models […]

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Athearn ACF Centerflow covered hopper

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Athearn ACF Center Flow covered hopper An American Car & Foundry (ACF) 4,600-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper is the latest freight car to join the Athearn Genesis lineup. The HO scale model is offered in three body styles and features see-through etched-metal running boards, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and 100-ton trucks with rotating bearing caps. […]

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Tangent HO scale GATX 1952 tank car

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Tangent’s HO scale GATX 1952 tank cars feature prototype-specific domes The cars are equipped with metal grab irons, see-through running boards, and Kadee scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Tangent Scale Models has released an HO scale model of an 8,000-gallon General American Tank Lines (GATX) 1952 general-service tank car. The finely detailed, ready-­to-­run model represents a […]

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New model trains for the week of August 15, 2019

Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc. HO scale assorted Baldwin diesel locomotives

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD70 diesel locomotive with Spartan cab. Canadian National (Illinois Central sublettering, two road numbers), Conrail (“Quality” lettering, four numbers), Illinois Central (as-delivered scheme in four numbers, with yellow sill stripe in three numbers), and Norfolk Southern (Conrail Quality patchout in two numbers, Thoroughbred scheme in four numbers). Road-number-specific details, factory-installed […]

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