Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Bringing up the markers

With the sun just about to set, Fred Lagno of Queenstown, Md., snapped this shot of a Chesapeake & Ohio caboose bringing up the markers on a passing freight. Fred scratchbuilt the house. The caboose is a Walthers model.  Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of model railroad […]

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Intramotev announces commercial agreement with Watco to deploy TugVolt technology

ST. LOUIS — Intramotev, the technology company building autonomous battery-electric freight cars, announced on Tuesday that Watco will begin using Intramotev’s TugVolt system, starting at its transload terminal in Wood River, Ill., in January. “At Watco, we’re always exploring new ways to support our customers,” Aaron Jensen, Watco’s senior vice president of operations solutions and […]

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Former Michigan Central coaling tower demolished

Construction equipment demolishes a concrete structure over a set of railroad tracks

MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA — Demolition experts wasted little time in dismantling the top of the former Michigan Central coaling tower that straddles Amtrak’s Michigan line, which normally hosts Wolverine and Blue Water trains. The process of crushing this fortress and another one on Michigan-owned track west of Augusta, Mich., between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, has […]

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‘See Tracks? Think Train’ Week aims to raise safety awareness

People walking on railroad tracks as train approaches

WASHINGTON — “See Tracks? Think Train Week,” which runs Sept. 15–21, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of staying safe around railroad tracks. The campaign highlights Federal Railroad Administration statistics showing that more than 95% of rail-related deaths involve drivers going through grade crossings or pedestrians trespassing on tracks. “Every three hours in […]

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SMART-TD reaches national tentative agreement with railroads

Crewman in hi-visibility vest flagging at grade crossing

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Carriers Conference Committee today announced it has reached a national tentative agreement with SMART-TD, the nation’s largest rail union. “This tentative national agreement with SMART-TD will extend the benefits established by the industrywide pattern — including wage increases and improved benefits — to thousands more freight rail employees,” Jeff Rodgers, […]

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50 Years Ago in Trains: Storming California’s Beaumont Hill

Under a cloud of black smoke, a hardworking steam locomotive climbs California's Beaumont Hill in 1948

50 years ago in Trains: Bombarding Beaumont in 1948 WHAT a grand and extraordinary depiction this photograph is of Standard Railroading in full and final flower! For the flagship of Southern Pacific’s New Orleans-Los Angeles Sunset Route the Sunset Limited, which is destined to become the last of America’s great passenger trains to be dieselized […]

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News & Products for the week of September 15th 2025

A 3D model of a steam locomotive

News & Products for the week of September 15th 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 September 15th, […]

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NYC commuters safe — for now: LIRR strike postponed

Electric multiple-unit trainset approaches station. NYC commuters safe — for now: LIRR strike postponed.

NEW YORK — A strike of unionized Long Island Railroad workers has been averted, for now. Workers voted overwhelmingly Monday authorizing leaders to call a strike if a new contract agreement isn’t reached. The strike could have been called as early as Thursday, Sept. 18, under federal rules. Officials representing locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and […]

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Sound Transit Faces $30B Shortfall: What It Means for Seattle

Blue and white commuter train approaches, led by cab car

SEATTLE — At its Sept. 11 meeting, the Sound Transit board enacted principles designed to address the financial issues threatening the system and its projects around the Seattle region. Sound Transit is facing a long-term financial shortfall estimated to be somewhere between $20 and $30 billion, according to local news sources. The anticipated financial gap, […]

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