Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale Airslide covered hopper painted two-tone blue with blue, yellow, black, and white graphics on white background

Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59 Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper features: Based on 1967-1968 design Blackened, machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Factory-installed air hoses and roof hatches Freestanding brake system casting with […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic sees slight decline

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

WASHINGTON — A drop in intermodal traffic led weekly U.S. rail traffic to dip below 2024 levels in the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending Oct. 11, 2025, overall traffic was 498,462 carloads and intermodal units, a 1.3% decline from the same week a year ago. That included 273,900 […]

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Iowa approves $3.3 million in funding for rail projects

Logo of Iowa Department of Transportation

CLINTON, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission, which oversees transportation planning for the state, approved $3.3 million in grants and loans for four rail infrastructure and related projects within the state at its Oct. 14, 2025, meeting. https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-14/33-million-awarded-through-iowas-railroad-revolving-loan-and-grant-program Receiving a $1.469 million grant was a new box manufacturing plant being built by International Paper in […]

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ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale four-bay covered hopper painted light gray with black, white, and yellow graphics on medium gray background

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper features: 36” machined metal wheelsets with .110” wide wheel tread Body-mounted, die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Early body with peaked roof or late body […]

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Cathcart Rail names Driggers as new CEO

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Scott Driggers has been named CEO of Cathcart Rail, which operates three short line railroads, provides switching and transloading services, and a nationwide railcar service network. Driggers, who joined Cathcart Rail as chief operating officer in June, succeeds Jeff Chick. He brings more than 25 years of rail industry experience, including leadership […]

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Athearn HO wood-chip hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale wood-chip hopper painted mineral red with white and black graphics on white background

Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]

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News & Products for the week of October 13th 2025

A set of various model passenger cars in colorful paint schemes

News & Products for the week of October 13th 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 October 13th, […]

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