Pension changes not a big deal, eh? NEWSWIRE

CN_med_red

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific are likely to see their operating ratios rise this year — but for a reason that has nothing to do with the railways’ industry-leading efficiency. An accounting rules change that went into effect on Jan. 1 will disproportionately affect CN and CP. As a result, CN’s operating ratio is expected […]

Read More…

Metra seeks new locomotives NEWSWIRE

Metra04

Metra F40PH Nos. 102 and 107 appear at Elmwood Park, Ill. Metra officials look to replace or re-manufacture much of the railroad’s aging motive power fleet. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail agency, plans to order 12 new or 15 re-manufactured locomotives in 2018, and may order dozens more if additional funding […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of January 4, 2018

Wm. K. Walthers HO scale General Electric ES44AC and AH diesel locomotives

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP40P-2 diesel locomotive. Southern Pacific (no. 3197 in American Revolution Bicentennial and scarlet and gray schemes; nos. 7600 through 7602 in factory weathered scarlet and gray) and Union Pacific (two road numbers). Light-emitting-diode headlights, vinyl m.u. hoses, and wire grab irons. Direct-current model, $189.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, […]

Read More…

Menards O gauge illuminated vehicles

three model vehicles

Menards O gauge illuminated vehiclesO Price: Autos 24.99, trucks, $29.99, No. 279-4062 4.5-volt three-outlet adapter $9.99, No. 79-4035 Plug and Play adapter kit $9.99 Features: Die-cast metal and plastic construction, front and rear lights, each vehicle has a male barrel plug connector pre-wired to the frame. I believe the first illuminated vehicles I saw were […]

Read More…

MTH O gauge Union Pacific 4-6-2

brown, yellow, and red model train

MTH O gauge Union Pacific 4-6-2 Price: $499.95 (no. 20648-1) Min Curve: O-31 Cmd Low: 6.1 smph Cnv Low: 7.7 smph High: 64.1 smph Drawbar pull: 2.1 lb. Features: Two can-style motors, ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system, smoke unit, coil coupler on tender Current-production road names: Baltimore & Ohio, Lehigh Valley, Norfolk & Western, […]

Read More…

Big Steam look ahead to 2018 NEWSWIRE

SteamAhead765

Nickel Plate Road No. 765 inches closer to the platforms at Metra’s LaSalle Street Station in Chicago on June 17. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney This year, 2017, brought many chances to see big steam locomotives making excursions onto main lines. While it is too early in the operating season for most organizations to announce their operating […]

Read More…

Rail-themed beer round-up for New Year NEWSWIRE

Bottles1

© Irochka | Dreamstime © Aleksandr Kiriak | Dreamstime ‘Tis the season for a toast to the year that has come and the year that lies ahead. To help you prepare for year-end celebrations, Trains News Wire has rounded up a partial list of U.S.-based railroad-themed brews to help celebrate — should you choose to […]

Read More…

Accucraft 7/8″ scale 0-40-ST engine

accucraft781

Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, 7/8″ scale, live-steam 0-4-0ST Accucraft 33268 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $1,425 Website: www.accucraft.com 1:13.7 scale, gauge-1 model of a 2′-gauge Bagnall 0-4-0 saddle-tank locomotive; all metal construction; single flue, gas-fired boiler; imitation Walschaerts valve gear; D-valve cylinders; safety valve; pressure gauge; water glass with blowdown; throttle; reversing from […]

Read More…

Pacific Western G lineside buildings

lineside1

Kevin Strong 1:24 scale lineside buildings Pacific Western G PO Box 89 Deer Harbor WA 98243 Prices: See text Website: www.pacificwesterng.com 1:24 scale, plastic lineside structures; built up and painted; weatherproof Pros: Well constructed; well painted; weatherproof Cons: Some doors undersize; smaller, lighter-weight structures may need to be anchored to prevent blowing away Kevin Strong […]

Read More…