Montreal opens second section of REM light rail system

Group of people participating in ribbon cutting

MONTREAL — The second portion of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail network has opened, with regular service on the Deux-Montagnes line beginning at 5:30 a.m. ET today (Nov. 17, 2025). That follows a Friday ceremony that included Prime Minister Mark Carney and a weekend of free “open house” operations on the new 33-kilometer (20.5-mile), […]

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Train Guys Christmas Toy Train exhibit dates set for 2025

section of colorful layout

The Elizabethtown Public Library in Elizabethtown, Pa. has announced dates and times for the popular annual Train Guys Christmas Toy Train exhibit.  The display is 65 feet long by 18 feet wide and capable of running 20 trains simultaneously. It features 53 pushbuttons on the display’s perimeter, where visitors can activate trains and accessories. New […]

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SEPTA Regional Rail cancellations continue, but at reduced rate

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — Advance cancellation of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Regional Rail trains has continued into this week, although the scope of those cancellations has been reduced. SEPTA announced Sunday that a dozen trains would be canceled today (Monday, Nov. 17) on its Chestnut Hill West and Fox Chase lines — three during the morning commute […]

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Hafner toy trains

six vintage colorful locomotives

Former Editor Neil Besougloff purchased this manuscript in 2002, and wondered why it hadn’t been used. I found the answer while scanning the slides–the photo quality is not great. While the photos are not usable in print, I hope they find some value in this online version. I’ve also learned that author Peter J. Corrigan […]

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FEC suit against Brightline stayed by judge

Freight train with orange and yellow locomotives passes through passenger station

MIAMI — Florida East Coast Railway’s lawsuit against Brightline — over Brightline’s efforts to develop commuter rail service in South Florida — has been stayed until the two parties can meet to discuss arbitration. Public broadcaster WLRN reports Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Robert Watson granted the stay on Thursday, Nov. 13. Brightline is seeking […]

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Caltrain remakes annual Holiday Train

Santa Claus on caboose

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain is remaking its Holiday Train for 2025, turning it from a trip bringing Santa Claus to stations to an on-board riding experience. Tickets for this year’s trip, set for Dec.  13, go on sale on Thursday, Nov. 20, at noon PT. Those on board will experience a decorated train interior, […]

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Metra board approves modified 2026 budget

Bilevel commuter trains meet on curve

CHICAGO — Metra’s board of directors has approved a $1.2 billion operating budget for fiscal 2026, eliminating the commuter rail operator’s previously planned fare increase as well as a planned $60 million transfer of operating funds to its capital program. The capital plan for 2026 is budgeted at $515.3 million. The transit bill passed by […]

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Alaska No. 557 fired up after 60 years

Steam locomotive with smoking stack during test firing.

WASILLA, Alaska — After more than 500,000 volunteer working hours, the 557 Restoration Co. successfully fired the last Alaska Railroad steam locomotive on Nov. 8, 2025. The rebuild is now 95% complete, “ … with all the expensive and labor intensive stuff behind us,” says Patrick Durand, 557 Restoration Co. president. The locomotive was pulled […]

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Nine state attorneys general raise concerns about UP-NS merger

WASHINGTON — The attorneys general from nine states have asked the Surface Transportation Board to give Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern a thorough review, arguing that the merger will stifle competition, raise rates, and hurt manufacturers and agricultural producers. “An America First economy will not work if high internal shipping costs kneecap American […]

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Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper review

Color photo showing left side and B end of modern covered hopper painted mineral red with white, yellow, and black graphics on white background

A Trinity Industries 5,161-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper is now part of Bachmann’s growing lineup of modern HO scale freight cars. The injection-molded plastic model features screw-mounted roller-bearing trucks, metal wheelsets, and body-mounted E-Z Mate Mark II couplers. Prototype history The 5161 covered hopper has been part of the Trinity Industries (now TrinityRail) catalog since […]

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SEPTA meets deadline for Silverliner IV inspections

Men working on roof of railcar

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has completed inspections of its Silverliner IV electric multiple-unit railcars, the agency says, but the amount of Regional Rail equipment available will remain significantly constrained until cars can be repaired. SEPTA originally faced an Oct. 31 deadline for inspection of the 233-car fleet following a series of fires, […]

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