ScaleTrains HO EMD SD9 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $214.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, two cube-type speakers, and an ESU-designed “PowerPack” with two super capacitors, $324.99. Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE, Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO EMD SD9 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Detailed […]
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U.S. rail traffic still below 2024 levels
WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic continued its downward trend during the week ending Nov. 8, 2025, with total volume down 4.9% compared to the same week a year ago. According to figures from the Association of American Railroads, the week’s traffic was 493,493 carloads and intermodal units. That includes 224,651 carloads, up 0.1% from […]
NTSB releases preliminary report on BNSF conductor fatality
WASHINGTON — Video shows a BNSF conductor struck and killed by a passing train was walking in the “foul” of the track — the area extending four feet on either side of the rails — prior to being struck, the National Transportation Safety Board says in its preliminary report on the Oct. 19, 2025, incident […]
Norfolk Southern announces locomotive ‘Landmark Series’
ATLANTA — The Tuscan Red and black locomotives that debuted this week on a Norfolk Southern executive train will be the first of a series, Norfolk Southern said today. SD70ACe locomotives No. 1230, Birmingham, and No. 1231, Atlanta, were photographed near Cleveland on Sunday [see “News photo: Norfolk Southern debuts …,” Trains.com, Nov. 10, 2025]. […]
News photos: Reading & Northern introduces Semiquincentennial unit
PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has repainted one of its locomotives to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. SD40-2 No. 3061, repainted and renumbered to No. 1776, was unveiled on Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day. The flag-based scheme, with its red-and-white striped long hood, blue cab, and 13 stars […]
One Montreal transit strike ends, another set for weekend
MONTREAL — The union engaged in what was to have been a month-long strike against Montreal’s public transit agency has suspended its job action — but another strike will shut down the system this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16. The Syndicat du Transport de Montréal, which represents maintenance workers, began a walkout on Nov. 2 […]
UP’s Vena refutes BNSF claim it would close intermodal lanes after merger
A Union Pacific intermodal train heads east through Lombard, Ill., on Oct. 11, 2025. Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena this week responded to a BNSF claim that a UP-Norfolk Southern merger would lead to the elimination of 300 intermodal lanes. David Lassen A back-and-forth exchange this week between the CEOs of Union Pacific and BNSF […]
Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Lionel Trains LLC Audio Engineer Tracey Schroeder
Join Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer as she visits Lionel Trains, LLC headquarters and speaks with Audio Engineer Tracey Schroeder about the often-overlooked world of model train sound. Tracey reveals the meticulous process of capturing and creating the authentic sounds you hear in Lionel Trains, from steam whistles and bells to diesel prime movers […]
SEPTA cancellations to continue through Friday
PHILADELPHIA — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Regional Rail service continues to be hammered by the effects of inspections of its Silverliner IV railcars, with the agency announcing plans to cancel 22 trains both today (Thursday, Nov. 13) and Friday, Nov. 14. The same trains will have been cancelled all five days this week. Set for […]
News photo: UP, as in ‘unfamiliar place’
CHICAGO — Commuters arriving today (Nov. 12) at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago — the former Chicago & North Western commuter terminal that serves Metra’s UP North, Northwest, and West lines — today may have been a bit surprised to find a train on Track 6 that was definitely not the usual Metra […]
NJ Transit board improves $917 million program to overhaul railcars
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will overhaul its existing fleet of 429 Multilevel railcars under a $917 million program approved today (Nov. 12, 2025) by the agency’s board of directors. The oldest of the Multilevel I and II cars, built by Bombardier, date to 2006. They will eventually be joined by 374 Multilevel III cars […]
Angel joins B&O Museum campaign
BALTIMORE — The B&O Railroad Museum announced today that CSX CEO Steve Angel will co-chair the museum’s $38 million capital campaign to transform its campus in preparation for the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027. Angel replaces former CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs in this role. Hinrichs left CSX in September 2025. Angel joins Benjamin […]
