CSX will lead off the rail industry’s third-quarter earnings season when it reports its financial results on Thursday afternoon. The earnings call will be the first time investors will hear from new CEO Steve Angel, who replaced Joe Hinrichs last month. Wall Street analysts are likely to parse every word from Angel regarding the direction […]
Read More…
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has distributed more than $4 million in grants to 430 nonprofit organizations across its system as part of its Community Ties Giving Program, the railroad announced Monday (Oct. 13). Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000, and support what the railroad says are its giving priorities: safety, workforce development, community vitality, […]
Read More…
Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]
Read More…
In 2020, MTH Electric Trains President Mike Wolf announced his May 2021 retirement and the subsequent closure of the company after 40 years in business. It’s now 2025, and MTH remains alive and well, continuing to produce products for the model railroad and toy train industry at a more modest pace in O, Standard, and […]
Read More…
PUEBLO, Colo. — The Association of American Railroads and MxV Rail have opened registration for the 31st Annual AAR Research Review, a conference that brings together Class I and short line railroads, university faculty and students, early-career engineers, and suppliers from around the world to address the industry’s most pressing technical challenges. The 2026 Annual […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — Beleaguered commuter railroads — which are being hit by the double whammy of funding cuts and lower ridership since the pandemic — are seeking breathing room regarding liability insurance coverage. The Commuter Rail Coalition is cheering a bipartisan bill that would give commuter railroads 60 additional days to secure additional excess liability coverage […]
Read More…
News & Products for the week of October 13th 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of October 13th, […]
Read More…
WILMINGTON, Del. — Heritage railroad Wilmington & Western, which shut down suddenly earlier this year, has announced it is returning to operation, with its first trips scheduled for later this month. A pop-up message on the railroad website says, “After a spring and summer dedicated to maintenance and improvements, we’re ready to welcome back riders. […]
Read More…
The Lionel Kid’s Club by Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026. According to the Kid’s Club Coordinator Patrick Cudzilo, “Our Kid’s Club is focused on keeping today’s youth involved in the model train hobby for years to come. They are the future of the hobby.” Founded in 2011, […]
Read More…
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has suspended service on two commuter rail lines today (Monday, Oct. 13) because of a storm expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding. An advisory on the agency’s website says North Jersey Coast Line service is suspended between Bay Head and Long Branch — the 10 southernmost […]
Read More…
Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speakers, $199.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder and MoPower capacitor system, $309.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel features: Coreless motor with dual flywheels Direct-current models have factory-installed speakers […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — Starting early next January, no freight or passenger trains will be scheduled to cross the Potomac River between Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Va., during an 8:15 a.m.-to-1 p.m. window seven days a week for up to five years. This will accommodate construction on a $2.3 billion, four-track bridge being built to replace the […]
Read More…