Late trains? Make the most of an extended journey

A nighttime photo of multiple tracks leading to Chicago Union Station

A late train can happen for many reasons. It’s up to you to make the most of an unexpected delay. It’s no secret — and it shouldn’t be a surprise — that sometimes North American overnight long-haul passenger trains can run hours behind schedule. Here’s are tips for making the most of an extended journey. […]

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Amtrak hit by simultaneous Northeast Corridor stoppages (updated)

Long-distance passenger train behind elecric locomotive on S curve

WASHINGTON — All service between New York Penn Station and Newark, N.J., was suspended for about an hour today (Saturday, March 1) after debris apparently fouled electrical transmission wires over the tracks at Newark, according to an advisory on Amtrak’s website. Meanwhile, “ongoing switch and signal issues” at Washington Union Station has primarily affected trains […]

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Missouri man pleads guilty after rail equipment thefts

U.S. Department of Justice seal

ST. LOUIS — A 21-year-old Missouri man has admitted to stealing more than $1.5 million in railroad equipment in Missouri and Illinois. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said in a press release that Jesse Henry of Laclede County, Mo., pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 28, to one count of damaging […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for March 2025

model of red flatcar with two trailers on top

Locomotives & rolling stock METCA offers an MTH custom-run 4-Bay Hopper as part of the RailKing line. The cars feature O-27 operation and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey graphics (30-75762 shown).  Expected delivery in March 2025. Price: $64.95. Order from metca.org Public Delivery Track is selling a custom-run MTH RS1 locomotive as part of the RailKing […]

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Counties asked to cover Tri-Rail deficit

View of commuter train from overpass

MIAMI — Three counties served by commuter operator Tri-Rail are being asked to pay $10 million each to cover a $30 million annual deficit, with the possibility looming that deficit could reach $90 million per year. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports in a paywalled article that the executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation […]

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The Rise of HO Scale Model Trains

A model train passes on a bridge on a model railroad layout

HO scale model trains are a significant part of model railroading history, and we can partially credit the overall popularity of model trains with the rise of a convenient, tabletop scale like HO. With origins dating back a century, HO scale trains have grown into the most popular model train scale in the world.  Model […]

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5 layout scenery steps to get you started

Highly detailed model railroad scene showing a pond with green water surrounded by gray rocks and tan dirt with green trees and red and white buildings.

By the time they’ve built the benchwork and installed and wired that track, the typical new layout builder starts asking a very important question: “What comes next?” The answer, of course, is scenery. Trains, track, or a command control system can be used more or less straight from the box. Even benchwork, which starts its […]

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UP intermodal train derails in eastern Oregon

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eleven single-stack container cars of a Union Pacific train derailed west of La Grande on Thursday evening, Feb. 27, Union County Emergency Services reports. The derailment occurred about 9 p.m. No injuries were reported and Union Pacific confirmed no hazardous materials were involved. Two grade crossings — at Fire and Greenwood […]

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Alabama Port Authority, CSX break ground on Montgomery inland port

Aerial-view illlustration of rail and truck container facility

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Port Authority and CSX Transportation broke ground on a new inland port intermodal facility in Montgomery that will be capable of handling 30,000 containers for transfer between trains and trucks. The $94 million Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility or ICTF, was announced in 2022 [see “Alabama Port Authority announces …,” […]

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