How to pet-proof a model railroad layout

A cat looks through the tunnel on a model railroad layout

Living with a model railroad and a dog or cat isn’t always easy. The animals don’t know the difference between your toys and theirs, and can wreak havoc on scenery, models, or your workbench.  Animals love to chew on natural materials and unfortunately, many scenery products are made of those. But peaceful coexistence is possible […]

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MBTA continues progress in eliminating slow orders

Track crew works in transit tunnel

BOSTON — Recent work on the Red Line eliminated another 13 speed restrictions, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says, as work continues on its year-long effort to address the backlog of slow orders on its rapid-transit network. The work saw the rail line shut down between the Park Street and JFK/UMass stations between May 2-10, […]

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Metra to mark 40th anniversary with weekend of free rides

Two commuter trains meet with Chicago skylline in background

CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra will offer free rides on the weekend of June 8-9, concluding a week of activities to mark its 40th anniversary. The agency dates its birth from June 8, 1984, when the first meeting was held of the Regional Transportation Authority’s Commuter Rail Division. The Metra name was adopted a […]

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Senate confirms Fuchs for second term on STB

Man speaking at podium

WASHINGTON — Patrick J. Fuchs has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a second term on the Surface Transportation Board. Fuchs was confirmed by a voice vote on Tuesday, May 14. His latest term expires on Jan. 14, 2029. President Joe Biden had nominated Fuchs for reappointment in January, and the Senate Committee on […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic shows slight gain over 2023 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal figures.

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 11 was up slightly over the same week in 2023, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Total volume for the week was 468,748 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.6% from the corresponding week a year ago. That included 209,319 carloads, down 7% […]

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Final Spike Steam Tour features ‘The Empress’ No. 2816

steam train behind old blue car

Final Spike Steam Tour On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad’s Class H-1b Hudson No. 2816 continued its Final Spike Steam Tour operating over former Milwaukee Road trackage into Iowa following a display day in Franklin Park, Ill. The 4-6-4 and the CPKC executive train rolled west across the old Milwaukee Road […]

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Kitbash a pulpwood load

model pulpwood car with load

Since I own the P.T. Tubifo Lumber Co. engine for my railroads’ lumber company, I thought I’d add a pulpwood car for it to haul. I started the project with Kalamazoo flatcar and added bulkheads made from Evergreen styrene. During my work travels, I saw some weeds on the side of the road and initially […]

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Canadian government to regain ownership of CN’s Québec Bridge

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian government will once again own the landmark Québec Bridge over the St. Lawrence River after negotiations with Canadian National, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today. “The Québec Bridge is a source of pride for the people of Quebec City and all Canadians. It is a timeless symbol of what is […]

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