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News & Products for the week of June 16th 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 June 16th, […]
Now that trains are running on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout, David Popp hosts this BONUS video to share some of the behind-the-scenes efforts and design considerations the MR crew still needs to tackle. As so many model railroaders can attest, there’s no such thing as “finished” layout…especially when structure […]
WASHINGTON — Rebutting a Union Pacific motion to dismiss, Chicago area commuter rail operator Metra says the Surface Transportation Board clearly has jurisdiction to address its request for trackage rights — part of its ongoing dispute with UP over financial terms for continued operation on three Union Pacific lines. And in a turnabout — after […]
WASHINGTON — Without fanfare, Amtrak last week posted its 2024 annual report, which also contains its funding appeal for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The company’s 137-page “General and Legislative Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Request” recaps financial results for fiscal 2024, operating metrics to date, and projections for future years. […]
CHICAGO — The agency overseeing the Chicago area’s three transit operators is directing Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and bus operator Pace to develop two versions of their 2026 budgets: one based on the current funding shortfall, and one if the state legislature comes through with more funding. Streetsblog Chicago reports that at a June […]
WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail is now operating its entire system with Automatic Train Operation, having expanded use of the automated system to the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines as of today (June 15, 2025). The system, which was part of Metrorail from its launch in 1976, was shut off in 2009 following a fatal collision. […]
LOS ANGELES — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is adding an additional round trip serving San Diego staring on Monday, June 16, while also making additional schedule adjustments. The Los Angeles-San Diego service will now have 12 daily round trips. New will be southbound train No. 584, departing Los Angeles at 4:10 p.m. and arriving in San […]
Whether they knew it or not, the Budd Co. was rolling out the final miles in its railcar manufacturing business as it headed into the 1970s. But they didn’t go down without a fight as manufacturing of passenger equipment continued for Amtrak and multiple commuter operations (mainly in the Northeast United States). Part of […]
WASHINGTON — What is it about rail operations and health-care fraud? Two train operators with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority were arrested Friday on charges relating to a scheme to submit fraudulent health insurance and short-term disability claims for non-existent ailments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has announced. Michelle Shropshire, […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Citing substantial infrastructure work already completed as evidence the California High Speed Rail Authority is on track to complete an initial operating segment by 2033, CEO Ian Choudri challenged the Federal Railroad Administration’s contention that $4 billion of federal grants should be terminated. Earlier this month, the FRA issued a 314-page report […]
I’m restoring some Lionel postwar heavyweight passenger cars and need help lettering them. Are there suppliers for reproduction decals? — Ernie Weber The best source of reproduction decals for Lionel postwar locomotives and cars is the Underground Railroad Shoppe in New Castle, Pa. Owned by longtime CTT contributor Lou Palumbo, the store can be reached […]
Classic Trains Film Archive | Illinois and Ohio Highlights, J. David Ingles Reel 0050 – Explore the fascinating world of 1960s Midwest railroading with rare footage and historic action across Central Illinois and Ohio. Visit Jacksonville, Ill., to see legendary trains from Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q), Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O), and Norfolk & […]
