Homewood, Ill., to renovate railfan platform

Covered, elevated platform next to railroad tracks.

HOMEWOOD, Ill. — The village of Homewood, Ill., will spend more than $64,000 to renovate the railfan viewing platform it opened in 2007. At a Jan. 27, 2026, meeting, the village board of trustees approved a $64,456.05 contract with BEAR Construction Co. of Rolling Meadows, Ill. The village had previously budgeted up to $76,000 for […]

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California museum receives first Metrolink locomotive

Blue and white diesel locomotive pulling bi-level commuter cars.

FULLERTON, Calif. — Metrolink, the Los Angeles-area commuter rail service, has donated its first locomotive to the Fullerton Train Museum for preservation. The locomotive, No. 851, began life as an EMD F59PH, but was rebuilt to an F59PHR. It was delivered to the museum on Jan. 25, where it  will be on static display. The […]

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An interview with Atlas Model Railroad

Multiple products from Atlas

Though its history is tied to track, the product line for Atlas Model Railroad Co. has grown and diversified from Z to O scale. General Manager Matt Moceikis and Sale Manager Ross Medine joined Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains editors Eric White and Rene Schweitzer to discuss what’s in store for the future of […]

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Congressman wants answers on train-vs.-delivery-robot incident

Delivery robot vs Brightline 🚆 🎥: trainwithgui/IG pic.twitter.com/psQvZqztlr — Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) January 16, 2026 WASHINGTON — When a video went viral recently of a food-delivery robot being crushed by a Brightline train at a Miami grade crossing, most people viewed it as a source of one-liners. (“Looks like they ordered a smashburger,” one commenter […]

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Alderson, CN investor relations executive, to retire

Head shot of woman

MONTREAL — Stacy Alderson, Canadian National’s assistant vice president, investor relations, will retire in May, CEO Tracy Robinson announced today (Jan. 30) at the end of the company’s quarterly earnings call. Alderson will be succeeded by Jamie Lockwood, appointed as vice president, investor relations and special projects. Robinson said Alderson has “had an exceptional 30-year […]

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Layout landscaping with live cactus plants

A model train in a desert setting with live cacti plants

Set in Southern California, my HO scale layout includes a Southern Pacific train order office surrounded by a desert scene. Although this arid landscape has sparse vegetation, my scene needed two prominent desert plants – palm trees and cacti – to look complete. I found good artificial palm trees, but commercially available artificial cacti didn’t […]

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CN shows financial, operating gains in fourth quarter

Train under signal bridge

MONTREAL — Canadian National showed gains in traffic, revenue, and operating income in the fourth quarter of 2025, the company announced today (Jan. 30). Financial results (all converted to U.S. dollars) showed revenues of $3.3 billion, a gain of 2% over the same quarter in 2024. Operating income was $1.28 billion, up 6%, with adjusted […]

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Ivan named CEO of BNSF Logistics

Logo of BNSF Logistifcs

DALLAS — David Ivan has been named president and CEO of BNSF Logistics, a third-party logistics firm and subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC. The company announced the move, effective immediately, on Thursday, Jan. 29. Ivan has more than 25 years of experience in leading complex, multi-site operations in manufacturing, logistics, and […]

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