Resurrecting unused locomotives

Photo of weathered dark blue six-axle road unit on white background

There are many reasons you might need to bring a locomotive back to life. Here are some tips for resurrecting unused locomotives. Disassembly The first thing you’ll need to do is to get inside the locomotive shell. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have an exploded-view diagram of your model. If not, you can check the […]

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Meet Michael Tylick

A silver and red toy train locomotive in front of a city skyline on a toy train layout

My first train set (or locomotive) was…? When I was quite young, my parents bought me a secondhand Christmas train set. My best recollection is that it was probably a Marx set with strange couplers and lithographed tinplate sides. There was a small 0-4-0 steamer, a silver Gulf Oil tank car, a tan baby Ruth […]

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Mobile groundbreaking yields no news on start for Amtrak Gulf Coast service

Architectural drawings of train station platform

MOBILE, Ala. — Two ongoing questions about Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service — when it will begin and what the New Orleans-Mobile trains will be called — remained unanswered during a Tuesday, Oct. 22, groundbreaking ceremony for a station platform and layover track in Mobile. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose […]

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CSX announces tentative deals with two unions, ratification of agreement by yardmasters

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached new tentative five-year deals with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers. The railroad also announced ratification of an agreement with yardmasters represented by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD). “The new tentative agreements […]

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STB Passenger Rail Advisory Committee holds first meeting (updated)

Large group of people around conference table

WASHINGTON — Rail industry professionals from around the country assembled in the hearing room at Surface Transportation Board headquarters  last week for the first meeting of the STB’s Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. The initial session’s purpose: to get acquainted with each other, discuss goals, and meet the four STB members to whom they will report. […]

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Tar Branch building sources

Color photo of buildings on HO scale model railroad.

Q: On the Winston-Salem Southbound Tar Branch project layout there were three small industries in the middle. Do you have the brands and descriptions of the structures used? — Andy Sestak Before I answer your question, Andy, I want to back up a step to catch everyone up to speed. The Winston-Salem Southbound Tar Branch […]

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Wildfires, work stoppage limit CN revenue gains

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway saw modest revenue gains as wildfires and a work stoppage slowed operations in the third quarter in financial results announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 22). Revenue was $2.97 billion in the quarter ending Sept. 30, up 3% from the year-ago quarter. Operating income of $1.1 billion was unchanged from a year […]

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Norfolk Southern, electrical workers announce tentative contract deal

Logo of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which includes lighting bolts held by a fist

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the railroad announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 22). The agreement, subject to ratification, means the railroad has tentative deals with approximately 67% of its union work force. “Norfolk Southern is committed to working with all of our labor unions […]

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Norfolk Southern continues gains on earnings, operating ratio

Train passing grain facility

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern delivered significant gains in earnings and operating ratio during 2024’s third quarter, with new CEO Mark George noting the railroad is “continuing to close the margin gap” with its peers. The railroad announced adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.1 billion on revenues of $3.05 billion, with an adjusted operating ratio of 63.4%. […]

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MBTA sets Red, Green line shutdowns in November

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will continue its effort to address maintenance needs on its rail transit system with a series of projects in November on the Red and Green lines, as well as on three commuter rail lines. Previously announced work on the Orange Line is already in progress and is scheduled […]

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Washout shuts down BNSF line in New Mexico

BNSF Railway logo

ROSWELL, N.M. — BNSF Railway’s Carlsbad Subdivision has been closed by a washout near Roswell that will keep the line closed for most of the week, the railroad has informed customers. An advisory on the railroad website says the washout was reported shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. After assessment by BNSF personnel, […]

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