Conrail 1980s HO scale layout discussion with Dave Abeles

Two men pictured side by side on a video call.

In March 2023, Steve Sweeney had a Conrail 1980s HO scale layout discussion with Dave Abeles. In total, Dave talks about Conrail, Penn Central, New York Central, Pennsylvania, and other railroads and how Conrail became a time of optimism for railroading, especially in the Northeast and Midwest states that once saw a multitude of bankruptcies […]

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The search for real heritage locomotives

dark, multi-colored train with overcast sky

Heritage locomotives Over the last few decades, railroads have rolled out dozens of specially painted locomotives. Whether they were wrapped or painted, we’re fortunate to live in an era where honoring a company’s past is so visual. We are also lucky we live in an era where paint booths are far and few between and […]

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Union Pacific announces sick-time agreements with eight unions

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific announced today that it had reached agreement with eight unions on paid sick leave, bringing to nine the number of UP unions with such agreements. The agreements, effective April 1, cover the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; International […]

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Amtrak train derails in Bay Area (updated)

PORT COSTA, Calif. — No injuries were reported after an Amtrak Capitol Corridor train struck a downed tree and derailed this afternoon, disrupting traffic on the San Jose-Auburn, Calif., route. The derailment was reported 3:25 p.m. PDT about a half-mile east of Port Costa, according to the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department. Fifty-five people were on board; […]

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Lionel Vision Line Stock Cars squeal into stores

Lionel Vision Line Stock Cars door and deck detail

The latest Lionel Vision Line Stock Car sets are now hitting the market. You might call them a squeal of a deal. Car sets aren’t new to the orange-and-blue. We were introduced in 2014 to these three-packs with steel-sided reefers. Since then, the train maker has expanded on the theme. In 2020 the train maker […]

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