News & Products for the week of June 9th 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 June 9th, […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Phoenix light rail system opens 5.5-mile addition
PHOENIX — The Phoenix light rail system has grown by 5.5 miles, and gone from a single route to a two-line system, after the opening of the South Central Extension and Downtown Hub on Saturday, June 7. The opening of Valley Metro’s seven-station extension southward along Central Avenue from downtown to Baseline Road is projected […]
Some of my favorite train stations
Among the delights of railroad travel is departing and arriving at great stations. I have more than a few favorite stations, so I’ll limit today’s essay to active stations served by regularly scheduled trains. This excludes favorites that are gone but not forgotten, such as Philadelphia’s magnificent Broad Street Station; station buildings that survive but […]
East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 13 | DCC system installation
Even though track wiring is in place, our hosts still need to install a Digital Command Control (DCC) system before trains will run on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! David and Bryson first examine the components of the NCE PH5R Power Pro DCC system before working to integrate the parts […]
Trump budget greenlights more National Network investment: Analysis
WASHINGTON — Although the Trump Administration’s budget for fiscal 2026 provided little rationale for boosting Amtrak’s National Network funding by almost 23% while decreasing Northeast Corridor money by 25.5%, the proposal provides insight for Congress and company leadership on what their priorities should be. The recent release of budget details [see “Trump budget calls for […]
Launch of South Shore’s West Lake service may not come this year
CHESTERTON, Ind. — The start of service on South Shore Line’s new West Lake Corridor, the 9-mile spur between Hammond and Dyer, Ind., has slipped back further, and now is not likely until at least the end of this year, General Manager Mike Noland said in a recent message to riders. The message on the […]
Santa Cruz, Calif., rail project could cost $4.3 billion
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Construction of the long-discussed, much-debated rail line to Santa Cruz using a former Southern Pacific branch line could cost up to $4.3 billion, according to a document released Friday (June 6, 2025). The draft version of the executive summary of an upcoming report on the project, known as the Zero Emission […]
News Wire Recommended Reading: rail stories from India to Illinois
The latest edition of News Wire Recommended Reading ranges around the world, looking at everything from a new rail line in India to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s long, strange trip to replacing some of its rapid transit equipment. — The New York Times provides a look at India’s new rail line to Kashmir, which […]
Light rail station serving LA airport opens
LOS ANGELES — Direct rail service to and from Los Angeles International Airport is a step closer to reality after the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center on Friday, June 6. The long-awaited bus and light rail terminal, east of the airport will eventually provide connection to an automated people mover system serving airport terminals. […]
LIRR workers disciplined for timecard abuse
NEW YORK — Four Long Island Rail Road employees at the Hillside Maintenance Complex in Queens have been disciplined for timekeeping abuse discovered by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of Inspector General, Inspector General Daniel G. Cort announced. Three of the employees were suspended for periods ranging from 120 days to nine months, while a […]
MBTA holds meeting on South Coast Rail issues
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Residents voiced complaints about unreliable service and noise from idling trains on Thursday at a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority public meeting about early issues with the South Coast Rail service that debuted in March. The Fall River Herald News reports that about 100 people were on hand for a meeting with […]
NJ Transit begins procurement process for new maintenance facility
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is beginning the process of building a new rail maintenance-of-way equipment facility in Clifton, N.J., preparing a Request for Qualifications this month, pending approval from the state comptroller’s office. The Request for Qualifications for Special Prequalification will be the initial step in a two-phase procurement process to select a team […]
