When N scale modeling doesn’t work out

ThisNscalepackinghousebuiltfromaYesterYearkitlooksgoodbutisntappropriateforJimslayout

When N scale modeling doesn’t work out: I hate it when I’m working on some part of my N scale layout, and the further in I get, the more I want out. It can be most anything: a scenery feature, a turnout, weathering a car, whatever. The project just isn’t working, and the reali­zation that […]

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Brightline tickets now on sale for Miami-Orlando service

Passenger train at grade crossing

ORLANDO — Brightline’s Miami-Orlando schedule is out, and tickets are now on sale — even though an official start date has not yet been announced. Starting today, travelers can book tickets on Brightline trains between Orlando International Airport and South Florida destinations. Tickets are on sale for trips Sept. 1 through Jan. 7, 2024; however, […]

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Cincinnati Southern board delays decision on election

Map of rail line from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chattanooga, Tenn.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Southern Railway board of trustees will decide in July whether to place the proposed sale of the city-owned railroad on the November ballot, WVXU Radio reports. The city has agreed to sell the railroad, the nation’s only municipally owned interstate rail line, to Norfolk Southern for $1.62 billion. But city voters […]

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Metrolink awards Balfour Beatty $60 million signals contract

Metrolink_BurbankAirport_Lassen

LOS ANGELES — Metrolink has awarded Balfour Beatty a $60 million contract for communication and signal systems, continuing a 14-year relationship between the Southern California commuter rail operator and contracting and construction firm. The contract includes renovation and modernization of wayside signals and grade-crossing warning systems. It also includes installation, modification, and testing of wayside […]

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Alco PA to be publicly displayed at Steamtown

Blue and white vintage diesel locomotive

SCRANTON, Pa. — Genesee Valley Transportation’s historic American Locomotive Co. PA-model “Nickel Plate Road 190” locomotive will be temporarily displayed at Steamtown National Historic Site after its long-anticipated arrival from the West Coast, according to GVT President Michael D.  Thomas. Over the weekend, National Park Service staff and Steamtown volunteers repositioned GVT’s Lackawanna No. 426, […]

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Glossary of railroad signal terminology

Orange and green diesel locomotive passes under signal bridge. Glossary of railroad signal terminology

Basic railroad signal terminology Here is a glossary of railroad signal terminology. Signals are used for protection and control of train traffic. However, there is no national standard or system, so signals used by individual railroads may vary. Glossary of railroad signal terminology Absolute signal: A signal whose “stop” indication means “stop and stay.” Usually […]

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News photo: Ghosts of the Nickel Plate

Blue and white streamlined diesel on bridge.

CLEVELAND — Alco PA No. 190 continues its journey east to its new home with Genesee Valley Transportation in Scranton Pa. On Monday, May 15, it was photographed in downtown Cleveland on the former Nickel Plate (now Norfolk Southern) main line, crossing the Cuyahoga, River. The locomotive was restored by preservationist Doyle McCormack and acquired […]

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Gulf & Atlantic completes acquisition of three short lines

Logo of Gulf & Atlantic Railways

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gulf & Atlantic Railways has completed its acquisition of three railroads in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, expanding the company to five railroads. The company announced today (May 16) that it closed on May 12 on the acquisition of the Camp Chase Railroad; Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad; and Vermilion Valley Railroad. It had […]

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