ScaleTrains TTX class F68AH bulkhead flatcar

Drawing of brown bulkhead flatcar with white background

Class F68AH bulkhead flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Era: 1969 to present (depending on scheme) Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 7598 Highway 411, Benton, TN 37307; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com Features: Road-number-specific details Factory-applied laser-cut wood deck Transverse deck risers and recessed deck tie-down details Photo-etched stainless steel crossover platforms Factory-applied metal grab irons, uncoupling levers, and trainline hoses Early […]

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Dates set for Minnesota steam locomotive’s return to operation

Steam locomotive with vintage freight cars under huge plume of black smoke

DULUTH, Minn. — After a two-year hiatus, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s North Shore Scenic Railroad will return Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-0 No. 332 to service in September The locomotive will pull trains between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minn. Sept. 10-11 and 24-25. Trains will depart Duluth at 10:00 a.m. each day. No. 332 […]

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Unions, railroads hold three meetings; no agreement reached

Logos for BLET, SMART-TD unions

CLEVELAND — On-line and in-person meetings last week did not result in an agreement between railroads and unions over a new contract, the heads of two unions said in a joint statement issued Saturday. Jeremy Ferguson, president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD), and Dennis Pierce, president of […]

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STB grants request for more mediation time in Gulf Coast dispute

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has granted a request by the parties in the Amtrak Gulf Coast dispute to extend board-sponsored mediation for an additional 30 days. Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority and Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks had filed the request on Aug. 24, saying they agreed […]

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LA Metro, SMART-TD ratify new contract

LA Metro light rail train on curving bridge

LOS ANGELES — Transit agency LA Metro has approved a new five-year agreement with the union representing Metro rail and bus operators and scheduling analysts. The agreement with more than 4,600 members of International Assoication of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) local GO-875 includes an average annual raise of 3.4% compounded […]

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Eight injured when Tri-Rail train hits vehicle and derails

TriRail_logo

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Six passengers required hospitalization and two others were treated at the scene after a Tri-Rail commuter train struck an abandoned vehicle and derailed during the Friday morning commute. All of the injuries were described as minor. WSVN-TV reports 63 people were on board the northbound train when the collision occurred about […]

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CSX rekindles its relationship with venerable Dash-8 locomotives

Blue standard-cab locomotive operating as second of two units on freight trainFre

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After selling or retiring its roster of more than 100 General Electric C40-8 locomotives, CSX Transportation once again owns the late-1980s era Dash-8 standard cab locomotive through its June 1 acquisition of Pan Am Railways. The Class I railroad began divesting the 4,000-horsepower six-axle GE several years ago, retiring and selling most […]

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2022 Walthers Model Railroad Scholarship Winners announced

Walthers logo

Milwaukee, WI – Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. is pleased to introduce the winners of the firm’s 2022 Model Railroad Scholarships, Kinzer Hurt and Michael Newman. Both are students at Clemson University; Kinzer is currently in his third year of Landscape Architecture studies, while Michael will be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Now in its […]

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Walthers President receives 2022 Bobbye Hall Award

A man and woman stand holding plaque

The Hobby Manufacturers Association presented the 2022 Bobbye Hall Distinguished Service Award to Stacey Walthers Naffah, president of Wm. K. Walthers Inc. The award is named in honor of the late Bobbye Hall, who served the model railroad industry in various capacities during her career. Stacey was nominated for the award “for her continuous dedication […]

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Athearn Genesis Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC diesel locomotive

Drawing of large yellow diesel locomotive

Athearn Genesis HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime models. Era: 1996+ to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC diesel locomotive features: […]

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News photos: Completing the Merchants Bridge

Aerial view of bridge with missing span, with old span on barge in foreground

ST. LOUIS — The third span of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis’ Merchants Bridge, the Mississippi River crossing which has been undergoing rebuilding since 2018, is slated to be floated into place today (Friday, Aug. 26). Trains News Wire will provide updates as photos become available. As of midday, as shown in these […]

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Athearn Genesis Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACU diesel locomotive

Drawing of diesel locomotive decorated in marron and gray scheme

Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACU diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime. Era: 2016 to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com SD70ACU diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Celcon handrails Detailed cab interior Die-cast metal […]

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