The O gauge Lionel ES44AC locomotive personifies modern power

O gauge Lionel ES44AC locomotive

The O gauge Lionel ES44AC locomotive is a release that really captures the essence of modern rail power. This Legacy model has returned rather quickly to the train-maker’s catalog in 2022 with new road names. Those include several heritage paint schemes, like the Canadian National’s Elgin, Joliet & Eastern livery shown in this video. With […]

Read More…

Hamilton, Ohio, station nears move

Boarded-up two-story building lifted off ground

HAMILTON, Ohio — The much-discussed, long-delayed move of the first portion of the Hamilton, Ohio, railroad station is at hand. As of Wednesday, Dec. 14, the two-story station building — one of two structures involved in the city preservation effort to move the station from CSX Transportation property to city-owned land — had been jacked […]

Read More…

Pennsylvania approves $26 million in funding for freight rail projects

Logo of PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has approved $26 million in state funding for 24 freight rail infrastructure projects — receiving amounts ranging from $119,000 to $3 million — under the Department of Transportation’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Assistance Program. “These investments in Pennsylvania’s rail system create jobs, support efficient […]

Read More…

Metrolink brings back Rose Parade service

LA_UnionStation_2_Lassen

LOS ANGELES — For the first time since 2020, LA-area commuter rail operator Metrolink will offer early-morning service for those planning to attend the Rose Parade in Pasadena, set for Jan. 2, 2023. Trains will be just $10 with a special Holiday Pass. Trains will operate to LA Union Station on the Ventura County, Antelope […]

Read More…

CN, CP, CSX, UP earn environmental recognition (updated)

CDP logo

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific have both received places on the “A List” of global environmental non-profit CDP for corporate transparency and performance on climate change. Both were among a small number of companies receiving that score among almost 15,000 companies scored. CSX Transportation and Union Pacific, meanwhile, have been included in the Dow Jones […]

Read More…

Weekly U.S. rail traffic again below 2021 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — U.S. intermodal traffic remains below 2021 levels, keeping overall volume down for the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Total volume for the week was 500,310 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.5% from the corresponding week a year ago. That includes […]

Read More…

BLET reportedly votes to oust president

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, unhappy about the results of recent labor negotiations, have apparently opted to make a change in union leadership. The Associated Press and other sources are reporting that challenger Eddie Hall defeated incumbent Dennis Pierce in voting for the union presidency, although the union […]

Read More…

Carlson, former Metra board chairman, retires

Man in coat and tie

CHICAGO — Norm Carlson, a former chairman of the Metra board of director who had served on the commuter rail agency’s board since April 2013, retired from the board at its meeting today (Wednesday, Dec. 14). Carlson was the longest-serving member of the current board. In addition to his term as chairman, he served two […]

Read More…

Rapido Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper

Canadian cylindrical hopper: A silver model hopper car against. white background

Rapido Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; six-pack, $329.70 Era: 1965+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper features: Round-hatch or Trough-hatch design Dofasco S-2 100-ton trucks Two body variations with 6- or […]

Read More…