Senate hearing probes for industry priorities: Analysis

Man speaking in hearing with name plate ("Mr. Gilberson") in foreground

WASHINGTON — Calls for regulations allowing automated track inspections and increased grant funding to help short lines were among topics discussed today (June 18) in a U.S. Senate subcommittee meeting on the rail industry. The hearing by the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, “On the Right Track: Modernizing America’s Rail,” sets the […]

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Metra receives funding for two station projects, three locomotives

People on platform between two commuter trains

CHICAGO — Metra will receive more than $104 million in grants for station projects and the purchase of three electric switching locomotives, the commuter rail operator has announced. The funding will come from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The money will include $80 million for […]

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C&NW No. 1385’s return to Mid-Continent rescheduled

4-6-0 steam locomotive with short train of passenger cars

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The move to return Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum is back on.  A June 11 social media post by Mid-Continent announced that the locomotive is scheduled to arrive at the museum on July 12. The public is invited to attend what will be a […]

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The future of American Flyer products from Lionel

Classic Toy Trains magazine logo

I am a print subscriber to Classic Toy Trains. Have you reported on the discontinuation of the American Flyer model train line by Lionel? I know your magazine isn’t an “investigative reporting” publication but it’s a curious thing that Lionel would discontinue a line of trains that often showed models as “sold out” on their […]

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Control of long-delayed Toronto light rail line transferred to TTC

Black and white light rail trainset on track with construction work visible in background

TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission, operator of the city’s subways and streetcars, has officially taken control of the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown light rail line, the head of regional transit agency Metrolinx said on Tuesday (June 17). Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said the TTC would begin controlling train movements no later than today, June 18. […]

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Pennsylvania House passes bill to increase transit funding

White trolley car going uphill on street

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives has passed a bill to provide more than $290 million in funding for public transit statewide that could address major shortfalls for the transit systems in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. However, the key legislative hurdle — passage by the Senate — remains. House Bill 1364 would provide […]

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East Troy Railroad Museum’s Milwaukee Day scheduled for June 28

Orange trolly car on display in front of depot

EAST TROY, Wis. — The East Troy Railroad Museum’s Milwaukee Day, scheduled for June 28, will feature rare displays and trolley rides with equipment directly tied to the Brew City’s past. Three rarely-seen pieces in the museum’s collection are planned to be brought out of storage for display at the East Troy depot. Chicago North […]

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Sources for large styrene sheet

Color photo showing white styrene sheet used as backdrop on unfinished model railroad.

Q: I’m trying to locate a source for large sheets of styrene. I can find the smaller sheets marketed by Evergreen, but I have been unsuccessful in my search for 4 x 8-foot sheets. Do you know of an online source? I live in the Toledo, Ohio, metro and there aren’t any plastics dealers in […]

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