MBTA removes 11 speed restrictions with Green Line work

Men working in subway tunnel

BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority work on the rapid transit Green Line in February and March removed 11 speed restrictions and made unnecessary a planned suspension of service on the C Branch this fall, the MBTA said on Monday. The C Branch outage this fall is no longer needed because work eliminated a slow […]

Read More…

News photos: Metro-North debuts Penn Central unit

Blue locomotive with yellow nose on commuter train

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Metro-North Railroad has unveiled the fourth locomotive in its heritage series, this time wrapping P32AC-DM No. 217 in Penn Central colors. The locomotive made its debut today on a Hudson Line train departing Croton-Harmon at 7:58 a.m. and arriving at Grand Central Terminal at 8:55 a.m. “Every new wrapped locomotive reminds […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of March 11th 2024

A model house structure with scenery

News & Products for the week of March 11th 2024   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 March 11th […]

Read More…

Biden budget would provide almost $4 billion for 14 major transit projects

Rendering of elevated transit station

WASHINGTON — Fourteen major transit projects in 11 states would receive almost $4 billion under President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2025 budget request to Congress, according to recommendations from Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Primary funding would come under the Capital Investment Grants and Expedited Project Delivery Pilot programs. “FTA looks forward to working with these communities to […]

Read More…

BNSF eliminates management jobs amid uncertain freight outlook

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway eliminated several hundred management positions at its headquarters and across the system last week as part of a belt-tightening move. The railroad did not disclose how many jobs were affected, but people familiar with the matter say that BNSF cut 8% of its management workforce. That would translate into […]

Read More…

STB chairman disappointed activist investors haven’t agreed to meet regarding their plans for Norfolk Southern

Man gesturing while talking

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman says he’s disappointed that executives from Ancora Holdings, the activist investor firm engaged in a proxy battle with Norfolk Southern, have yet to schedule a meeting to discuss its goals for the railroad. Ancora Holdings Group Chairman and CEO Frederick DiSanto and Ancora Alternatives President James […]

Read More…

Santa Clara VTA awards contract for light rail extension

Map showing 2.4-mile light rail project in San Jose, Calif.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has awarded a contract for construction of a 2.4-mile extension of its light rail system in East San Jose, despite a contract more than one-third higher than the agency’s original estimate. The VTA’s board last week unanimously approved the extension from the Alum Rock station […]

Read More…

Schomberg Scale Structures Locomotive Tender Tank Kit

tender tank on layout

When it comes to detail parts, often we find ourselves sourcing the same buildings, fences, or houses. If you’re not confident in your model building skills developing a unique scene without premade structures can be a challenge. Recently, Mr. Muffin’s Trains (Atlanta, Ind.) has started selling Schomberg Scale Structure kits, formerly sold under the Schomberg […]

Read More…

Meet Jim Providenza—garden railway edition

Jim Providenza—garden railway edition How did you get started in the hobby? I’ve been an HO scale model railroader since I was 12. After we moved to our current home in 1988, I started planning to build a garden railway, but one that would further my longtime interest in operations. In this case, would focus […]

Read More…

No injuries reported as MBTA Green Line train derails

Detail from MBTA rail transit map

BOSTON — No injuries were reported when a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line B Branch light rail train derailed today (Saturday, March 9) just west of Kenmore Station. The incident occurred hours after the line reopened after an 18-day shutdown for track maintenance. WCVB-TV reports the derailment occurred about 8:55 a.m. and led to […]

Read More…

STB passenger advisory committee has no shortage of nominees

Passenger train meets commuter train with station in background

WASHINGTON — When the Surface Transportation Board names the members of its first Rail Passenger Advisory Committee, it will be worth remembering that the competition for places among the panels 18 voting members was fiercer for some seats than for others. As outlined in the January call for nominations, the panel has a very specific […]

Read More…