Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car

Color photo showing B end of HO scale tank car painted black with white graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Era: 1970s+ to 1990+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car features: 70- or 100-ton screw-mounted, roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps Based on 20,000-gallon prototype Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf […]

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FRA may force SEPTA to remove Silverliner IV cars from service

Electric multiple-unit railcars in shop building

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday said the Federal Railroad Administration could order the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to remove unrepaired Silverliner IV cars from service if SEPTA does not meet the FRA’s 30-day deadline for addressing issues with the cars. Duffy, in an Oct. 23 letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, […]

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State funding to benefit three MBTA rail projects

Mockup of green and white light rail vehicle inside of tent

BOSTON — Improvements to the rapid transit Green Line, a new commuter rail layover facility, and new locomotives are among the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority projects that will benefit from $850 million in state funding under an Interdepartmental Service Agreement approved by both the MBTA board and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation board of directors. […]

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Display space fully booked for InnoTrans 2026

InnoTrans

BERLIN — InnoTrans, the biennial event that is the world’s largest transportation trade fair, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a fully booked display area, organizer Messe Berlin has announced. Almost a year ahead of the 15th InnoTrans, set for Sept. 22-25, 2026, all of the more than 200,000 square meters of display […]

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News photos: First Airo trainset visits Chicago on cross-country trek

CHICAGO — Its trials completed at the Federal Railroad Administration’s Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colo., Amtrak’s first Siemens Airo trainset is now headed east to the company’s Philadelphia coach yard, where it will be based for Northeast Corridor testing and commissioning. That trip included a stop in Chicago today (Oct. 22, 2025). The train […]

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News & Products for the week of October 20th 2025

A navy blue and yellow model locomotive

News & Products for the week of October 20th 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 October 20th, […]

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Must-have products for a Burlington Northern layout

Color photo showing front of HO scale diesel painted yellow and black with red, white, and black graphics on scenic base with sky backdrop.

The Burlington Northern RR began operations in March 1970, the product of a merger between the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Great Northern; Northern Pacific; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle. It was also the railroad I grew up with in Crookston, Minn., my hometown in northwest Minnesota. For many years, I’ve been researching the early years […]

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SEPTA could miss deadline for Silverliner IV inspections, GM says

Electric multiple-unit railcars in shop building

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority may not meet an Oct. 31 federal deadline to complete inspections of its fleet of Silverliner IV railcars, despite around-the-clock efforts, the agency’s general manager said last week. General Manager Scott Sauer, in a Sept. 16 city council hearing, said the agency may ask for an extension, KYW-TV […]

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Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale Airslide covered hopper painted two-tone blue with blue, yellow, black, and white graphics on white background

Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59 Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper features: Based on 1967-1968 design Blackened, machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Factory-installed air hoses and roof hatches Freestanding brake system casting with […]

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ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale four-bay covered hopper painted light gray with black, white, and yellow graphics on medium gray background

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper features: 36” machined metal wheelsets with .110” wide wheel tread Body-mounted, die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Early body with peaked roof or late body […]

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