News & Products for the week of February 9th 2026

An orange model freight car end with a black coal load visible in the freight car

News & Products for the week of February 9th 2026   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 February 9th […]

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Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown opens

Crowd of people in underground light rail station

TORONTO — Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown light rail line opened on Sunday, Feb. 8, some 15 years after construction began and six years after it was supposed to be completed. The CBC reports it took 55 minutes for the first westbound train to cover the 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) from the Kennedy station to Mount Dennis […]

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CSX signs $670 million locomotive deal with Wabtec

New blue and yellow locomotives

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX has signed a $670 million deal with Wabtec to upgrade its locomotive fleet with 100 new locomotives and 50 modernized units, as well as related digital systems. The deal calls for new Evolution Series locomotives as well as DC-to-AC upgrades for Dash-9 locomotives. It is the latest in a flurry of […]

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Lionel Star Wars X-Wing/Tie Fighter Aquarium Car

Profile of O gauge aquarium car

When stacking up my wish list from Lionel Trains’ 2025 Volume I catalog, I included one of the Lightsaber illuminated boxcars from the new line of Star Wars-themed sets and rolling stock. Being a fan of the franchise, I was serious about ordering one. In the end, I guess you can say I turned to […]

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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum seeks help after theft of donations

Logo of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is appealing for public assistance after funds in the museum’s donation box were stolen on Feb. 3. In a Facebook post, Tabitha Lusk, the museum’s food and beverage director, posted photos and videos related to the break-in and is asking that anyone who can provide information contact […]

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Weather issues with Siemens equipment lead to VIA Rail cancellations

New passenger equipment in shop building

OTTAWA, Ontario — Fleet availability for VIA Rail Canada’s Siemens Venture trainsets has dropped below 50% this winter, leading to a series of train cancellations over seven days that began on Saturday, Feb. 7, according to the nonprofit transit advocacy group Transport Action Canada. The organization reports that VIA has begun turning the trainsets, which […]

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BNSF agrees to new standards for transport of plastic pellets

Train of covered hoppers

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Environmental group San Diego Coastkeeper has announced an agreement with BNSF Railway for development of rules for safe transportation of plastic pellets, also known as nurdles — the raw material for the production of almost all plastic products. The agreement, announced Thursday, Feb. 5, also involves the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation […]

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