New subway cars enter service in Baltimore

Subway car with black and yellow front

BALTIMORE — The first six cars in an order for new subway equipment have entered service on Baltimore’s Metro subway system. On Wednesday, the Maryland Transit Administration held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the start of operations for six new cars built by Hitachi Rail, part of a 78-car, $400 million order placed in 2017. […]

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NJ Transit unveils renovated River Line trainset

TRENTON, N.J. — NJ Transit has unveiled the first renovated trainset on its light rail River Line, featuring a revamped interior and an engine overhaul as part of the ongoing effort to improve the service between Trenton and Camden, N.J. The diesel trainset built by Switzerland’s Stadler has been wrapped to mark the 250th anniversary […]

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Athearn HO FMC 5077 offset double-door boxcar

Color photo showing B end of HO scale double-door boxcar with exterior posts painted dark blue with black and white graphics on white background.

Athearn HO FMC 5077 offset double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.99 to $44.99 Era: 1977+ to 2004+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO FMC 5077 offset double-door boxcar features: 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry scale couplers with screw-mounted […]

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First Northlander trainset unveiled

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The Government of Ontario today celebrated the arrival of the first of three new Siemens trainsets built for the revival of Northlander passenger service, introducing the equipment at a press conference featuring Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The Northlander is more than a train,” Ford said during the […]

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Alstom workers at Plattsburgh, N.Y., ratify new contract

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Workers at Alstom Transportation’s factory in Plattsburgh, N.Y., have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, following their earlier vote to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The three-year agreement includes an immediate 3% pay raise over a 2.8% increase already received in April 2025; a classification system with increased […]

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SEPTA making progress in Silverliner repairs

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is making progress in federally mandated repairs to its Silverliner IV fleet, meaning Regional Rail passengers could soon see an end to the overcrowded conditions that resulted from that equipment being sidelined. The news site Billy Penn reports that SEPTA has now received the thermal wire it needs […]

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GATX car wrapped to promote heart health message

White covered hopper with red "move more" logo.

BEDFORD PARK, Ill. — Ingredion, a provider of food and beverage ingredients, and railcar leasing company GATX have introduced a covered hopper wrapped to support the American Heart Association and promote heart health. The car was unveiled Tuesday, Jan. 6, and is part of Ingredion’s long-term sponsorship of the Heart Association’s Heart of Chicago campaign. […]

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Athearn N FMC offset double-door boxcar

Color photo showing B end of N scale double-door boxcar with exterior posts painted yellow with black graphics on white background.

Athearn N FMC offset double-door boxcar Scale: N (1:160) Price: $29.99 to $34.99 Era: 1977+ to 2000s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn N FMC offset double-door boxcar features: Body-mounted McHenry couplers Die-cast metal underbody with cast center sill, brake system, and crossmember detail […]

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Rapido HO Greenbrier transverse coil car

Color photo showing B end of modern HO scale coil car painted blue with white and yellow graphics and black trucks with metal wheelsets.

Rapido HO Greenbrier transverse coil car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.95; six-pack, $359.70 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Greenbrier transverse coil car features: 100-ton trucks with metal wheelsets Detailed, die-cast metal underframe See-through, etched-metal walkways Metal grab irons and uncoupling levers Removable plastic hood Semi-scale […]

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News & Products for the week of January 5th 2026

A white and blue model hopper car

News & Products for the week of January 5th 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 January 5th, 2026. […]

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Ma & Pa caboose

20151012

Maryland & Pennsylvania four-wheel caboose 2003 — a little car with a big number — whiles away the day at the Ma & Pa’s Baltimore terminal in May 1955. William E. Warden Jr. photo […]

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