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 […]
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will submit their revised merger application on April 30, the railroads informed the Surface Transportation Board today. The STB on Jan. 16 rejected the original 6,692-page application as incomplete. The railroads initially expected to file the revised application as early as March. Regulators pointed out that their decision […]
HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s Shore Line East commuter rail operation could revert to diesel-powered trains under a budget-saving move, the state’s transportation commissioner told a budget hearing last week. The move would reverse a 2022 switch from diesel-powered trains to the current Kawasaki M8 electric multiple-unit trainsets [see “Connecticut replaces diesel Shore Line East trains […]
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Canadian National’s ongoing effort to operate a “leaner and more productive” railroad is now focusing on terminal operations, CEO Tracy Robinson told an investor conference today (Tuesday, Feb. 17). Chief Operating Officer Patrick Whitehead is currently focusing on those terminals, Robinson said. “That’s where something like 50% of our operating labor […]
ALTOONA, Pa. — Norfolk Southern has introduced the third locomotive in its Landmark Series, ES44AC No. 8184, the Altoona. Unveiled last week in Altoona, Pa., it joins earlier locomotives Birmingham and Atlanta in wearing the special Tuscan Red and black paint scheme [see “Norfolk Southern announces locomotive ‘Landmark Series,’” Trains.com, Nov. 13, 2025]. The locomotives […]
WASHINGTON — Top legal officials in seven Republican states are asking the U.S. Department of Justice to scrutinize the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The group of state attorneys general led by Montana’s Austin Knudsen claim that the east-west consolidation will stifle competition and increase costs for Americans. The coalition in a letter asks Acting […]
Talk about inspiring dreams of greatness! Sepia-tone photographs sprinkled about in the opening pages of Lionel’s consumer catalog for 1940 couldn’t have done a better job of persuading kids and their fathers to buy an electric train and build a model railroad. Especially convincing was the picture on page 11, the companion to one on […]
GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. — The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has granted the Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission $1.3 million for restoration work on its narrow-gauge 2-8-2 No. 464, according to an M Live report. The locomotive, built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Denver & Rio Grande in 1903, is one of two surviving […]
Though I’ve been in the hobby for more than 70 years, I’m still amazed at the number of new products being released. Gone are the days when the Lionel or American Flyer “wish books” would fill our dreams of new engines, cars, or accessories. Now we have the internet, hobby shops, and train shows to […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline today unveiled its “Freedom Express” trainset, which wraps 10 cars with designs marking key moments in American history. The train will be regular service through July. The design was created in partnership with America250, the nonpartisan organization established by Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration […]
READING, Pa. — A clear, crisp Pennsylvania winter day greeted passengers and enthusiasts for the Reading & Northern’s winter Iron Horse Ramble. The excursion traveled the Reading Division main line between Reading Outer Station and Jim Thorpe, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. This was the second time the former Reading T-1 4-8-4 No. 2102 […]
Sunset Models’ production will now be handled by Third & Townsend Models LLC. In an email sent to customers, Sunset Models Inc. CEO Scott Mann said “Our models [will be] produced by Jay [Escamilla], under the Sunset Models/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot banners.” Moving the model production, according to the email, is a five year lease-to-own […]
