First ENS Sign Awareness Day set for June 24

Graphic illustration for ENS Sign Awareness Day

WASHINGTON — The U.S. rail industry is supporting Emergency Notification System Sign Awareness Day on June 24, seeking to raise public awareness of the blue signs at railroad grade crossings on who to contact in an emergency. “The sign may be small, but its impact is enormous,” Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver Inc., […]

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Watco receives investment of more than $600 million

Louisiana shortline’s first train sits on tracks on startup day.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Watco Cos., the rail and transportation logistics company that operates some 45 short lines, has received a minority investment of more than $600 million from Duration Capital Partners, the companies announced today (June 17, 2025). The investment will be used to address Watco’s long-term strategic investments, the company said, including assuming full […]

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No injuries in CN derailment in Mississippi

Canadian National logo

SAVAGE, Miss. — An estimated 20 cars of a Canadian National Railway train derailed Monday afternoon (June 16) near the town of Savage in Tunica County, WREG-TV reports. No injuries were reported. CN said in a statement to the broadcaster that the train included two cars of hazardous material, but those cars did not derail. […]

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Senate subcommittee to hold rail hearing

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — Officials from Brightline, Anacostia Rail Holdings, and the Association of American Railroads are scheduled to testify Wednesday (June 18) at a Senate subcommittee hearing on railroading. The Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation will hold the hearing, “On the Right Track: Modernizing America’s Rail Network,” at 10 a.m. in Russell Office Building room […]

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Caltrain engineers ratify new contract

Red and white electric mutliple-unit commuter trains at station

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Engineers who operate Caltrain commuter trains have ratified a new five-year agreement with the service’s contract operator, Transit Services America, Inc., the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has announced. The agreement, announced last week, covers 68 locomotive engineers. Fifty-six of those BLET members voted, with 50 (or 89%) voting in favor […]

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Colorado DOT to hold open house updating Mountain Rail project

Map of rail route between Denver and Craig, Colo.

FRASER, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Transportation will hold an open house meeting on Wednesday, June 18, to discuss the Mountain Rail proposal for passenger service between Denver and Craig, Colo. The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30p.m. at Fraser Valley Elementary School, 125 Eastom Ave., in Fraser. It will be live […]

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Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted silver with red, white, and blue stripes on white background.

Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $289.95 Era: Mid-1990s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights Etched-metal radiator grills and […]

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VIA reports increased ridership, revenue in 2024

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada saw a 6.6% gain in ridership and an 11% increase in total revenues during 2024, according to the company’s annual fiscal-year report. Revenues for the calendar year were Ca$480.2 million (U.S. $353.8 million), while ridership reached 4.4 million. The company recorded an operating loss of Ca $385.2 million (U.S. $283.7 […]

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News & Products for the week of June 16th 2025

Two model locomotives, one in a blue paint scheme and one in a black paint scheme

News & Products for the week of June 16th 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 June 16th, […]

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TSB of Canada releases final statistics on rail accidents for 2024

Pie chart braking down types of Canadian rail accidents

GATINEAU, Quebec — Canada’s reportable rail accidents and other occurrences were down slightly in 2024, according to the Transportation Safety Board’s final 2024 statistics. The final count of 1,198 occurrences — including 896 accidents and 302 incidents — was down 3% from 2023. Accidents which includes events with fatalties, those in which rolling stock is […]

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