With its fast-moving, extensive-length, and often technicolor appearance, intermodal freight transportation along the rails of North America is interesting to view anywhere! But when set amongst a dramatic backdrop of the Mountain West region, you’ll find it hard not to be completely captivated by the magical culmination of engineered efficiency and striking natural beauty. That’s […]
Zone & Region: Mountain West
Montana Rail Link Requiem
Montana Rail Link, for all intents and purposes, is over. Simply awaiting STB approval before the final chapter is written and the company fades into the history books. The story began in 1987, when a new company was formed to lease the former Northern Pacific mainline, then owned by Burlington Northern, from Sandpoint, Idaho, to […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Season 2 Official Trailer
Did you think railfan/professional photographer Tom Danneman would end his unique treks to the American West after one year? Not a chance! In this new phase of his explorations, you’ll enjoy an even more scintillating look at expansive western scenery and the full scope of trains running through it. Look for a mix of short-form, […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Season 2 Official Trailer
Did you think railfan/professional photographer Tom Danneman would end his unique treks to the American West after one year? Not a chance! In this new phase of his explorations, you’ll enjoy an even more scintillating look at expansive western scenery and the full scope of trains running through it. Look for a mix of short-form, […]
November plow patrol
Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era.Description: “November Plow Patrol” – Ride along on J&MtZ plow car #628 with Engine # 20 and Caboose 02 make a snow patrol run on the main track. Music from […]
After more than two months, full service restored on Denver-area light rail route
AURORA, Colo. — Full service on the Regional Transportation District’s light rail R Line, halted on a 4-mile segment since a Sept. 21 derailment, is slated to begin today (Tuesday, Nov. 29) at about 4 a.m. MST, the RTD said Monday. The RTD had previously said service would resume the week of Nov. 28, but […]
Cumbres & Toltec launches 2023 ticket sales
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has placed tickets for its 2023 season on sale, launching a 15% off holiday sale that runs through Dec. 31. “Last year, we released tickets earlier than ever and our fans were delighted,” railroad president Scott Gibbs said in a press release. “… It makes for a very meaningful […]
Great Model Railroads 2023
PLUS Celebrating the CP’s centennial The freelanced HO scale Strathcona Division models the Canadian Pacific in British Columbia Modeling C&O’s Kanawha Sub Coal is king on this HO scale Appalachian layout Time well spent An O gauge modeler replaces his three-rail layout with a 1:48 scale granger road New England memories A new version of […]
How to Model Locomotives
PLUS Motivation for motive power Introduction Sound for legacy locomotives – F units A little soldering goes a long way How to detail, paint, and decal a locomotive Give a road switcher a new look How diesel facilities work A lot of work goes on behind the scenes between road trips Speed matching for DCC […]
Denver-area light-rail train that derailed was going almost 40 mph as it entered 10 mph curve
AURORA, Colo. — A Regional Transportation District light rail train that derailed in September was going almost 40 miles an hour as it entered a 10-mph curve, according to a newly released report. The Sept. 21 accident in Aurora sent three people to the hospital, led to on-scene examination of more than 20 others, and […]
BNSF opens new bridge at Sandpoint, Idaho
SANDPOINT, Idaho — BNSF has opened its second bridge over Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho, providing a second track at a previously one-track bottleneck nearly a year ahead of schedule. The nearly mile-long bridge, next to a structure built by Northern Pacific in 1904, opened on Sunday, Nov. 20. “We are excited about the […]
Montana Rail Link seeks regulatory permission to terminate lease with BNSF Railway
WASHINGTON — Montana Rail Link has moved one step closer to closing up shop and turning over its operations to BNSF Railway. MRL on Nov. 18 asked federal regulators for permission to discontinue service over 656.47 miles of track in Montana and Idaho as part of the early termination of its lease with BNSF, according […]
