Historic ‘Flying Scotsman’ locomotive involved in slow-speed accident

British steam train passing through field.

AVIEMORE, Scotland — At least five people were injured as landmark British steam locomotive Flying Scotsman was involved in what is described as a “slow speed” collision Friday at a heritage railway in the Scottish Highlands, the Guardian newspaper reports. The incident occurred about 7:10 p.m. Friday on the Strathspey Railway, which was preparing for […]

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Flooding batters New York subway, commuter rail lines

Debris and water in subway tunnel

NEW YORK — Half of the New York City subway system was shut down today by flooding from a storm that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called “a life-threatening rainfall event,” while Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak operations were also disrupted by the flooding. At midafternoon, the MTA was reporting that more than 7 inches of […]

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No injuries reported when DC Metrorail train derails near Reagan Airport

Men in high-visibiilty clothing stand near derailed rapid-transit equipment as another train passes

WASHINGTON — No injuries were reported after a DC Metrorail train derailed Friday morning near Reagan International Airport, an incident Metro officials said was caused when the train struck an object that fell off a preceding train. The derailment occurred about 10:45 a.m. and involved a southbound train heading toward the Franconia-Springfield station, the Washington […]

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Locomotives we wish we could have preserved

Low profile, lightweight streamlined locomotive.

This is a list of locomotives we wish we could have preserved, the ones that got away. Gone, in some cases, before we even realized that they were on the endangered species list. Going from work-a-day diesel locomotives to denizens of deadlines, they didn’t make it to museums or public displays, just the junk man. […]

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Atlas N scale S4 diesel locomotive

Screen capture from video with N scale locomotive in blue and yellow paint.

The Atlas N scale Alco S4 diesel locomotive recently paid a visit to our N scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno and associate editor Bryson Sleppy as they discuss the features on this newly tooled model, demonstrate some of the sound and light functions, and […]

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Atlas N scale S4 diesel locomotive

Screen capture from video with N scale locomotive in blue and yellow paint.

The Atlas N scale Alco S4 diesel locomotive recently paid a visit to our N scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno and associate editor Bryson Sleppy as they discuss the features on this newly tooled model, demonstrate some of the sound and light functions, and […]

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Dirt and N scale layouts

MRRNS0719_01

Dirt and N scale layouts: A locomotive model won’t run if current doesn’t pass from the rails to the pickup wheels. “Duh,” you may say, but that fact isn’t necessarily obvious, especially to younger people who haven’t tinkered with mechanical or electrical devices to the extent previous generations did. Filthy track can look clean The […]

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BNSF, SMART-TD reach agreement on scheduling, sick days

Logo of SMART-TD union

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) have reached an agreement to allow for more predictable scheduling and paid sick days for all ground service employees, the parties have announced. Thursday’s announcement says the tentative agreement, after several months of negotiations, follows […]

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NTSB calls for new gasket standards for tank cars as a result of 2022 BNSF derailment and fire (updated)

Burning tank cars

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board has called for development of new standards for gaskets used by tank cars in flammable-liquid service as a result of investigation into a January 2022 derailment and fire involving a BNSF Railway Train in Oklaunion, Texas. The NTSB released a synopsis of its final report on Thursday. [The […]

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MBTA pilot program leads to permanent commuter rail service for Foxboro station

Bilevel commuter cars at station platform

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A year-long pilot program offering weekday service at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Foxboro station will lead to permanent service beginning Oct. 2, the MBTA announced Thursday. The year-long pilot program began Sept. 12, 2022, and exceeded targets goals for ridership, with the MBTA saying third-quarter ridership was 112 to 133 boardings […]

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Maryland officials offer new route options for Baltimore Red Line project

Map of potential transit line with tunnels in Baltimore area

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Transit Administration has released maps showing three potential routes for its east-west Red Line transit project, an approximately 15-mile route between the western community of Woodlawn and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center via downtown. All three routes include both light rail and bus rapid transit options; the ultimate form of […]

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Norfolk Southern names first director of public engagement

Norfolk Southern logo

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has named Will Miller as its first director of public engagement, who the railroad said “will help marshall resources to improve railroad infrastructure and engagement with local leaders and their citizens.” Miller’s job will be to serve as point person for issues such as grade crossings, public events that cross railroad […]

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