News & Products for the week of December 11th 2023 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 December 11th […]
In 2006, then-CTT Associate Editor Bob Keller wrote that the doodlebug held “an interesting place in railroad history.” These self-propelled railcars were developed in the early part of the 20th century and initially powered with gasoline engines (some later were converted to diesel). These railcars were popular with railroads looking to economize service on lightly […]
As of January 2024, OutdoorPhotoGraphics.com will no longer publish railroad related books. “Due to the higher cost of railroad shows, production costs at the printer, shipping, and design, it’s nearly impossible to turn out a quality product at a reasonable price,” said owner Stan Trzoniec. The firm has sold their remaining inventory to Ron’s Books […]
Students at Seaview Elementary School in Linwood, New Jersey are getting into the holiday spirit this year—using toy trains. The school, along with assistance from one of the community’s families, the McBrides and their daughter Alice, is coming together to design and create a “winter wonderland” themed train layout. The project will display a winter […]
Greg Scholl, who turned his lifelong interest in trains into a major video production business, died Dec. 9, 2023, after a long illness. He was 72. His company, Greg Scholl Video Productions, is one of the last independent video producers, having produced more than 250 titles as he traveled North America in search of steam […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has announced new rules regarding rail air brake inspection and maintenance, to take effect Dec. 1, 2025. The new changes to the federal Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules, announced on Friday, Dec. 8, require railroads to: — Perform more robust brake inspections for heavy […]
CHICAGO — In a rarity on a number of fronts, Metra operated a special train today (Sunday, Dec. 10) for members of Congress between Chicago Union Station and the O’Hare Airport station on the North Central Service line. The train, using one of Metra’s decorated holiday train sets generally led by F40PH-3 No. 104, the […]
When I was 3 years old, my dad bought me a 1952 Lionel No. 119 Scout 3 Car Freight set for Christmas. He had fastened the track to a small board covered with Life-Like Mountain Paper. Each Christmas he would set it up on the living room floor of our tiny apartment. In 3rd grade, […]
BOSTON — Work to repair track that was built out-of-gauge on the Green Line extension that opened last year will not be completed by Monday, Dec. 11, as originally projected, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced. Project builder GLX Constructors, or GLXC, which requested additional repair time, has been granted an additional seven nights, […]
President Joe Biden and passenger rail advocates on Friday hailed announcement of two major Federal Railroad Administration programs — one providing $8.2 billion in grants for construction of passenger-focused projects [see “FRA announces $8.2 billion in Federal-State Partnership passenger grants,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2023] and the other announcing routes selected for further passenger […]
Available at www.rapidotrains.co.uk in 10 road numbers and several paint schemes. List price: £399.95 (approximately $496.00 as of this writing) Item no. 922001 Pluses Accurate models of the equipment used in the 1953 Ealing Studios film, DCC sound fitted locomotive, detailed interiors, free-rolling metal wheels, NEM coupler pockets, 3D printed figures representing the actors Minuses […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has released its list of routes selected for the first step of its Corridor Identification and Development Program, a catch-all group of 69 potential future Amtrak routes, possible extensions to existing routes, efforts to increase service on existing routes, and future high speed rail systems. Thirty-three of these routes […]
