Booking on NextGen Acela trains now possible

Amtrak logo.

NEW YORK — Amtrak is now offering tickets on Northeast Corridor trains that will debut the long-delayed NextGen Acela trainsets, and has announced which trains will feature the equipment, as well as highlighting those trains with a “NextGen” icon on the booking portion of its website and app. The company announced that addition to its […]

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Thoughts on the Lionel 2025 Volume 2 catalog

catalog page with diesel locomotives

Lionel Trains continued celebrating their 125th anniversary with the release of their Volume 2 catalog in mid July.    First, an interesting note: the second Lionel catalog has typically been called Volume 2. This one was called “July Release.” I wonder if there will be another catalog release before the end of the year? Stay […]

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News & Products for the week of August 18th 2025

A green and yellow model locomotive

News & Products for the week of August 18th 2025   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 August 18th, […]

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Alstom to build new Toronto subway equipment

Low-angle view of subway train in station

TORONTO — Alstom will build new subway cars for the Toronto Transit Commission at its Thunder Bay, Ontario, plant, after the TTC cancelled bidding for the contract and elected to award the order to the only company that could build the equipment in Canada. The move was announced Friday (Aug. 15), with the TTC saying […]

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SEPTA railcar inspections lead to Regional Rail cancellations (updated)

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has removed some of its electric multiple-unit railcars from service for inspections related to two fires earlier this year, leading to delays and cancellations of some Regional Rail service. In an Aug. 14 press release, SEPTA said it has been cancelling some trips because  “out of an abundance […]

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Athearn N scale acid tank car

Color photo showing brake end of N scale tank car painted black with yellow and white graphics on white background.

A 13,600-gallon sulfuric acid tank car is now part of the N scale Athearn Genesis line. The newly tooled model, based on a Union Tank Car Co. prototype, features a plastic body; many separate, factory-applied details; and body-mounted McHenry double-shelf couplers, available for the first time in 1:160. Prototype history Athearn offers the sulfuric acid […]

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“Modern” reefer of the 1920s

“Modern” reefer of the 1920s

Pacific Fruit Express was co-owned by Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. This 40-foot class R-30-12 car, built in 1923, had a wood body and steel underframe. It was typical of the thousands of “modern” refrigerator cars through the 1930s. Photo by Standard Steel Car Co. […]

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WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose

Color photo of HO scale caboose molded in gray plastic with formed wire and etched-brass detail parts.

WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $75.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose features: All-new model As-built or modernized smokejack Clear window glazing Detailed interior Factory-installed wire grab irons and handrails Minimum radius, 18”; recommended radius, 22” […]

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News & Products for the week of August 11th 2025

A blue, white and red model locomotive

News & Products for the week of August 11th 2025   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 August 11th, […]

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