WalthersMainline HO 40-foot wood stockcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Features on WalthersMainline HO 40-foot wood stockcar: 33” metal wheels All-new tooling Auxiliary, emergency, and brake cylinder pipes Body-mounted Proto-Max metal couplers Detailed underbody with factory-applied air reservoir, brake cylinder, and […]
Section: News & Reviews
Work begins to add sand to San Clemente beaches to protect rail line
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Efforts to replenish the beach in San Clemente to protect the Surf Line rail line used by Amtrak, Metrolink, and BNSF Railway began last week with the first deliveries of sand on Friday. The Orange County Transportation Authority says some 300 truckloads of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs will […]
Ukraine opens first standard-gauge rail line
UZHHOROD, Ukraine — Ukraine has opened its first standard-gauge rail line, the first step in better integration of the country’s rail system with its European neighbors. The European Union’s Delegation to Ukraine announced Friday that the 22-kilometer (13.7-mile) route of national rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia connects the Western Ukrainian cities of Uzhhorod, on the border with […]
First freight facilities for Mexico’s Maya Train approved
CANCÚN, Mexico — The Mexican government has approved construction of the first freight terminal for the Maya Train, which aims to begin operating freight service to go with its passenger trains in 2026. The Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (Semarnat) approved the environmental impact report for development of the 261-hectare (645-acre) site near Cancún, […]
BNSF derailment in Montana leads to Empire Builder cancellation
SUMMIT, Montana — A BNSF derailment Saturday evening (Sept. 6, 2025) blocked the railroad’s main line on its Hi Line Subdivision, leading to the cancellation of Amtrak’s Empire Builder scheduled to depart today from Portland, Ore., and Seattle. An updated BNSF customer advisory says the derailment near Summit was reported about 6 p.m. local time. […]
Loan to maintain San Francisco Bay area transit operations in jeopardy
SAN FRANCISCO — Transit agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area have become the latest to say they’re facing massive service cuts without state action. The San Francisco Chronicle reports a $750 million loan promised by Gov. Gavin Newsom now appears unlikely to be finalized before the state legislature ends its session on Friday, Sept. […]
Opening of Toronto light rail line pushed back again
TORONTO — The opening of the much-delayed Eglinton Crosstown light rail project has been pushed back again, although by how much has yet to be determined. The most recent estimate had projected the 11.8-mile (19-kilometer), 25-station line across Toronto would open this month, but the line has yet to begin its required 30-day revenue service […]
Washington short line not for sale, port commissioners say
DAYTON, Wash. — Commissioners of the Port of Columbia have indicated they will not sell the port’s railroad to its current contract operator, raising the question whether that operator will continue to serve the 37-mile line. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reports that two of the port’s three commissioners said at a Sept. 3 meeting that […]
SEPTA aims to restore service cuts, raise fares on Sept. 14
PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority plans to restore all service it had cut as of Sept. 14, and will also enact its delayed fare increase at that time, the agency said today (Friday, Sept. 5). The agency has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to approve its use of capital funds to pay […]
Pinsly to acquire Alabama short line from G&W
WASHINGTON — Pinsly Railroad Co. will acquire 36-mile Alabama short line Three Notch Railway from Genesee & Wyoming. The Georgiana & Andalusia Railroad will purchase the track and assume Three Notch’s lease arrangements with CSX. Three Notch Railway has operated the trackage since 2011. “However, the condition of the track deteriorated over time, and no […]
Amtrak to halt two Michigan routes Sept. 15-19 for coaling tower demolitions
CHICAGO — Amtrak will halt operations of its Blue Water and Wolverine services Sept. 15-19 to accommodate demotion of two coaling towers that straddle its rail lines. An Amtrak service advisory indicates substitute bus service will be available for the Blue Water, a once-daily round trip between Chicago and Port Huron, Mich. For the Wolverine […]
Judge orders SEPTA to reinstate all service
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia judge has ordered the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to restore the service it cut beginning Aug. 24, but will allow a fare increase to move forward. The order on Thursday (Sept. 4, 2025) from Judge Sierra Thomas-Street of the Court of Common Pleas calls for SEPTA to “immediately cease and desist” […]
