A scale test car was recently released by Wm. K. Walthers Inc. The HO scale model, part of the manufacturer’s Proto range, features die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and Proto-Max metal couplers. Prototype history Scale test cars are used in the calibration of track scales found at on-line customers. The WalthersProto model follows the lines […]
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A new documentary about the Iowa Interstate Railroad marking the railroad’s 40th anniversary is now available at the company’s YouTube page. “Revival and Redemption: Iowa Interstate at 40” is a 34-minute feature looking at the railroad’s growth from startup in 1984 to its current regional role linking Iowa and Illinois with […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic rebounded after two down weeks, with overall volume up 6.2% for the week ending Feb. 14. According to the Association of American Railroads, overall traffic was 510,399 carloads and intermodal units, accounting for the gain compared to the same week a year ago. That included 225,283 carloads, up 7.7% from […]
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Thirteen cars of an Ann Arbor Railroad train derailed early today (Feb. 18, 2026), leading to road closures that could last for several days. The Pittsfield Township Police said in a Facebook post that the police and fire departments were dispatched to the derailment scene at 5:06 a.m. No injuries were reported […]
If you’ve followed Model Railroader’s Facebook page, you’ll probably know that periodically over the past several years, I’ve made posts called “Lunchtime Reading,” which are simply my musings on products, articles, and innovations as found in past issues of Model Railroader magazine. For this expanded installment, I chose to do a deep dive on the […]
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Union Pacific’s plans to submit its revised Norfolk Southern merger application slipped from March to April after federal regulators clarified how certain data must be formatted, UP CEO Jim Vena says. On Tuesday, UP and NS told the Surface Transportation Board that they would file their updated merger application on April […]
Q: I want to simulate the type of roof that uses rubber, tar, and then stone. I was thinking of painting the roof with a glossy black and then putting cinder ballast on it to simulate the rocks. Has anyone done this type of roof? If so, how did you do it? — Rick, via […]
GALESBURG, Ill. — The National Railroad Hall of Fame has selected the contractor to build its visitor center and expects to break ground on the project soon, with the goal of opening in 2027. Hein Construction of Peoria, Ill., was the unanimous choice of the hall’s board of directors, the Hall of Fame said in […]
The Lancaster & Chester Railway Company’s origins date back to 1873 when the Cheraw & Chester was chartered to build a line between its namesake cities. Twenty-nine miles of track were built from Chester to Lancaster before the company had financial problems and went bankrupt. In June 1896, 130 years ago, the railroad was foreclosed […]
WASHINGTON — Several rail unions are among organizations that have announced support for the Holiday Pay Act, a bill introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that would require employers to pay time and a half for working federal holidays. “Many Americans are working holidays because they need the money and giving up […]
HAMDEN, Conn. — The union official who represents Amtrak engineers has taken exception to a claim by Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber that Amtrak “feared the competition” when it withdrew support for proposed Metro-North service between New York City and Albany, N.Y. “The issue is not about competition,” wrote Patrick W. Darcy Jr., general […]
In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale GE Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Cody begins with the prototype history of the Dash 9 series, noting that General Electric produced more than 3,600 units between 1993 and 2004. These six-axle units were rated between 4,000 and 4,400 […]
