The Roundhouse | Using Employee Timetables

In this episode of The Roundhouse, host Brian Schmidt and Bob Lettenberger continue to explore how employee timetables offer rail enthusiasts a “behind the curtain” look at operations. These official documents are vital for planning photography, conducting historical research, and accurately modeling railroads. They also serve as an index to other crucial railroad documents. Be […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of July 14th 2025

Four model locomotives in various paint schemes

News & Products for the week of July 14th 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 July 14th, […]

Read More…

Justice Department and Norfolk Southern near settlement deal in Amtrak Crescent case

Amtrak train at station

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and Norfolk Southern have reached a settlement in principle regarding the railroad’s handling of Amtrak’s Crescent. Government lawyers disclosed the agreement in a court filing last week, which requested additional time to finalize the settlement. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson approved the parties’ request for a 60-day extension. […]

Read More…

Athearn Genesis N acid tank car

Color photo of N scale tank car painted black with yellow graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis N acid tank car Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $44.99; three-pack, $124.99 Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis N acid tank car features: Based on 13,000-gallon prototype Body-mounted McHenry Type F double-shelf couplers Car operates on codes 40, 55, and 80 track Etched, stainless steel […]

Read More…

American Steel Foundries test train

Two-tone rail cars for American Steel Foundries Test Train

It might be a warm summer morning in the early 1950s on the Illinois Central near Clinton, Ill.; or maybe a cold January day along the Pere Marquette outside of Grand Rapids, Mich. There’s the sound of a fast-running steam locomotive in the distance … the railroad’s in a hurry with something today. Shortly an […]

Read More…

CPKC reports mixed progress on service recovery

red, yellow, and black locomotive on track

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s local service in former Kansas City Southern territory continues to improve after a troublesome May 3 computer system cutover, but merchandise train on-time performance declined last week and dwell remains stubbornly high at yards in Louisiana and Iowa. CPKC told federal regulators this week that it still expects service […]

Read More…

BNSF and UP to meet with regulators over trackage rights dispute

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has ordered BNSF Railway and Union Pacific to participate in a technical conference next week regarding their dispute over new BNSF international intermodal trains that would serve Salt Lake City via UP trackage rights. The virtual meeting, which will be held on July 15, will not be open to […]

Read More…

BNSF, Texas town reach agreement on new logistics facility

Map of planned logistics center in north Texas.

GUNTER, Texas — BNSF Railway and the city of Gunter, Texas, have reached agreement on a plan to allow the railroad to develop a 900-acre business park north of the small town north of Dallas. KTEN-TV reports the agreement requires a buffer zone of 500 to 800 feet from existing residences, and limits on the […]

Read More…

CSX cuts 125 management jobs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX eliminated 125 management positions on Thursday (July 10) in a cost-cutting move that comes less than two weeks before the railroad is scheduled to release its second quarter financial results. The layoffs thinned management ranks by nearly 5%, based on monthly employment data the railroad reports to the Surface Transportation Board. […]

Read More…