Photo of the Day

20190228

This 40-foot Canadian National boxcar was built in November 1923 and was still in service in the 1970s. The car is single-sheathed (meaning sheathed only on the inside of the truss-style metal bracing) and has wood sides and ends. Note the modern AEI panel on the 1923-built car. Michael Dean photo […]

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CPKC intermodal train derails in Saskatchewan

CPKC logo

CARON, Saskatchewan — Eighteen cars of a CPKC intermodal train derailed early today (Feb. 25, 2025) in rural Saskatchewan, the CBC reports. CPKC said in a statement to the broadcaster that the derailment occurred shortly after midnight near Caron, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) west of Moose Jaw, Sask. No injuries were reported. One of […]

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BNSF train derails in Montana (updated)

Tangle of derailed freight cars next to river

MILES CITY, Mont. — Approximately 25 to 27 cars of a BNSF train derailed Monday night (Feb. 24, 2025) west of Miles City, Custer County Fire Chief Cory Cheguis said in a press release. The derailment occurred about 11 p.m. No injuries were reported; county emergency officials and BNSF were working to address the situation, […]

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Unifor mechanical workers ratify agreement with CPKC

Logo of Canadian union Unifor

CALGARY, Alberta — The union representing CPKC mechanical workers in Canada has ratified a new four-year agreement. Unifor Local 101R represents more than 1,200 mechanics, laborers, diesel service attendants, and mechanical support workers. The ratification vote was announced Monday, Feb. 24; no details on the vote were released. “Our members worked so hard and stood […]

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News & Products for the week of February 24th 2025

A red model boxcar

News & Products for the week of February 24th 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 February 24th, […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 3 | Adding legs to the frame

Host David Popp and Bryson Sleppy work to raise the wood framework of their East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad off the ground. Watch as they share how to plan, construct, and install the legs for a nearly any layout. And don’t miss the simple, yet extraordinarily helpful insights the crew shares in Model […]

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BNSF profits and revenue lag railway’s overall traffic growth (updated)

Intermodal train in snow

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s pre-tax profits increased slightly in 2024 as traffic-mix changes — more intermodal, less coal — and lower fuel-surcharge revenue offset an overall 6.5% increase in freight volume. For the year, BNSF’s pre-tax earnings increased 0.5%, to $6.64 billion, while revenue declined 0.5%, to $23.35 billion, the railway’s corporate parent, Berkshire […]

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Make your own Marx Missile Launcher and Carrier car

four model flatcars with rockets on top

Marx offered a Missile Launcher & Carrier car that was a neat item. Unfortunately, it was only available in 1957, 1961 and 1962, making it both rare and hard to find. If you want a similar-looking car, I have a less-expensive solution that’s an easy weekend project. A couple years ago, a friend brought over […]

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STB chairman updates efforts to address long-running proceedings

Passenger train passes grain elevator and closed interlocking tower

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs — who has indicated a desire to have the board address matters more quickly, as well as be more transparent — today (Feb. 21, 2025) offered updates on six long-running proceedings, one of which dates to 2009. The matters in question are: — An abandonment request from […]

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