WASHINGTON — After eight years, Amtrak is pulling the plug on one of its more successful promotions: National Train Day. In an e-mail to Trains Correspondent Bob Johnston, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says, “Since its inception, Amtrak Train Days/National Train Day has been a popular program, allowing us to celebrate the value that Amtrak brings […]
Bachmann E-Z App HO scale Alco RS-3 The Bachmann E-Z App RS-3 doesn’t have a Digital Command Control decoder or onboard sound system. The printed-circuit board with the Bluetooth receiver is mounted atop the motor and mechanism. The HO scale Alco RS-3 models a workhorse road-switcher and introduces Bachmann Trains’ new E-Z App touch-screen train […]
HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive. Canadian National (North America scheme with Grand Trunk Western reporting marks), Illinois Central (black), Milwaukee Road (Hiawatha scheme), Missouri Pacific (Jenks Blue with screaming eagle), Soo Line (red and white), and Union Pacific (modern scheme). Four road numbers per scheme. Road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and see-through […]
Guide to North American Steam Locomotives, Revised Edition By George H. Drury Kalmbach Books; 336 pages, 420 photos; softcover, 8.25 x 10.75 inches; $24.99 www.kalmbachhobbystore.com Six decades after the decline of steam in North America, Kalmbach has just issued a revised edition of the Guide to North American Steam Locomotives. A reference book on steam […]
Coal empties for Danville, W.Va., roll by the W.E. MacCorkle Siding on CSX Transportation’s Coal River Subdivision in April 2013. Chase Gunnoe CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal country’s railroaders keep a watchful eye on their train crew assignments these days. They’re waiting for further cutbacks to terminals throughout West Virginia and trying not to believe too […]
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. — You want to shout at the truck driver and yell, “stop!” wave your arms, do something. But you know it’s already too late because in the video you’re watching, the driver is seconds away from plowing into the lead locomotive of a Canadian National freight train. The Minnesota State Patrol this […]
A Washington state man home-built a coal-or wood-fired standard-gauge steam speeder and placed it for sale on eBay. The asking price is $14,000. Ross Bendixen SAMMAMISH, Wash. — The railroad speeder can be the basis for a lot of projects. Some people like to restore motorcars to their original appearances. Others like to create their […]
A screen capture image of the Association of American Railroads’ latest updated Freight Rail Works website. Association of American Railroads’ website WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today debuted the newest installment of its Freight Rail Works campaign, which explores how freight rail’s ongoing private investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation’s rail […]
BOSTON — Keolis, the international company that won a tough competition to run commuter trains out of Boston, may have second thoughts about its contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. According to a report by State House News Service, Keolis lost $29.3 million over the first year of its long-term contract, requiring its French […]
Marc Horovitz 1:22.5 scale, gauge 1, animated cattle cars Bachmann Industries 1400 East Erie Avenue Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $129 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com Cattle car with openings through which horse or cow heads appear; opening doors; plastic construction; plastic arch-bar trucks; metal wheelsets; working, truck-mounted knuckle couplers installed; hook-and-loop couplers also supplied; two road names available […]
Marc Horovitz 1:29 scale, gauge-1 trucks Kadee Quality Products Co. 673 Avenue C White City OR 97503 Price: $49.99/pair Website: www.kadee.com 1:29 scale, gauge 1, Barber S-2, roller bearing, freight-car trucks; cast-metal side frames; metal wheels and axles; plastic brake detail; equalized Pros: Mostly-metal construction; weight of trucks will lower the car’s center of gravity; […]
Kevin Strong 1:32 scale, gauge 1, A-A diesel locomotives MTH Electric Trains 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive Columbia MD 21046 Price $999.95 Website: www.mthtrains.com 1:32 scale, gauge 1, plastic-and-metal A-A set of EMD F7 locomotives; ProtoSound3; smoke; analog DC, AC, DCC, and MTH DCS-compatible control Pros: Accurate scale/gauge combination; well detailed with good fidelity to the […]
