ScaleTrains HO EMD SD40-2

Color photo showing nose of HO scale EMD hood unit painted green, black, and white on white backdrop.

ScaleTrains HO EMD SD40-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $214.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, two cube-type speakers, and ESU designed PowerPack with two super capacitors, $324.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO EMD SD40-2 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Factory-applied […]

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Lionel Legacy Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003

O scale steam locomotive on a layout

Lionel Trains is no stranger to modeling preserved steam locomotives we know and love, including those still operating today. The latest offering is Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 (No. 2531120), a local steam star here in southeastern Wisconsin. The locomotive is one of six O-scale, 3-rail United States Railroad Administration (USRA) heavy Mikados that were […]

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Norfolk Southern aims for higher standards

Freight train with three black and white locomotives

Second of two parts. Part one is available here. ATLANTA — In his first public remarks after being named CEO in September 2024, Mark George said he didn’t like the way that railroads have historically tolerated poor operations and service performance. George came to NS from United Technologies, the conglomerate that produced jet engines, elevators, […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic again shows gains

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was up for a second consecutive week, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Statistics for the week ending Oct. 4 show U.S. volume of 503,538 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6% from the same week in 2024. That includes 224,972 carloads, up 0.002% […]

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Eight hurt in Metrolink collision at Los Angeles Union Station

New logo for Metrolink, introduced 2022

LOS ANGELES — Seven passengers and a crew member were injured today (Oct. 8, 2025) when a Metrolink Ventura County Line train struck a stationary train as it arrived at Los Angeles Union Station. The Los Angeles Daily News reports the collision occurred about 7:30 a.m. and involved inbound train No. 104. The stationary train […]

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Rail union asks FAA to ban drone flights over rail infrastructure

Drone parked on launch platform

WASHINGTON — A rail union has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, above rail yards and main lines. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, or SMART-TD, submitted comments earlier this week on a proposed FAA rule that would allow expanded […]

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News photos: Amtrak cleans up in Chicago

Passenger cars entering small building

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Chicago train wash is now active, as evidenced by the cars and locomotive of the company’s New York-Chicago Cardinal, seen here backing into the facility after its run on Monday, Oct. 6. The Cardinal emerged sparkling from its 2-mph splash, though a departing Metra train prevented photos of the result. The trainset […]

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Locomotive milestone: Norfolk Southern completes modernization No. 1,000

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern marked a major milestone last month when AC44C6M No. 4947 rolled out of the Juniata Locomotive Shop as the 1,000th unit modernized through its long-running DC-to-AC conversion program. The program, which began in 2015, completely rebuilds General Electric Dash-9 units and creates a more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more reliable […]

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Two NS crew members injured in Indiana derailment

Norfolk Southern logo

OWENSVILLE, Ind. — A Norfolk Southern engineer and conductor were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a derailment this morning in Owensville, Ind. Responding to an inquiry from Trains.com, Norfolk Southern said in a statement that the derailment occurred about 3 a.m. today (Oct. 8, 2025) and involved a locomotive and two railcars. […]

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Arizona city votes to oppose BNSF logistics hub near Phoenix

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Surprise City Council has unanimously approved a resolution opposing BNSF’s plans for a logistics hub in Wittman, Ariz. At its Tuesday, Oct. 7, meeting, the council approved a resolution saying it “cannot support the development … unless it proceeds in a manner that clearly prioritizes public safety, quality of life, and […]

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Norfolk Southern funds move of Central of Georgia Railway archive

ATLANTA — The Central of Georgia Railway archive is now housed alongside the Southern Railway’s historical records at the Atlanta History Center, thanks to a $500,000 donation from Norfolk Southern. The funding will support the processing and preservation of the historical records, making them fully accessible in one location for the first time, the Atlanta […]

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