FRA disbands Railroad Safety Advisory Committee

Logo for Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration today disbanded its Railroad Safety Advisory Committee as part of a broader Department of Transportation push to bring federal advisory panels in line with a presidential executive order. “These committees are long overdue for a refresh. Many have not held a single meeting in over a year, while others […]

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Conway Scenic Railroad founder Smith dies

Three men in front of locomotive

TILTON, N.H. — Dwight A. Smith, founder of the Conway Scenic Railroad, has died at age 100. Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, had been living at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton since 2020. The Conway Scenic said in a statement that it “mourns the passing of its […]

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Menards Cripple Creek Rail Maintenance Office

structure with green base

After a long day of track maintenance or repairing rolling stock, a rail employee needs a place to sit down and catch up on paperwork or perhaps schedule tomorrow’s activities. The Cripple Creek & Western crew can now do just that — Menards has released the Cripple Creek Rail Maintenance Office (No. 275-9491). The ready-to-use […]

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CSX eyes growth, service gains amid merger speculation

Intermodal train navigating switches

Amid merger speculation and ongoing freight doldrums, CSX will continue to focus on its own growth, service, and operations initiatives, Chief Commercial Officer Kevin Boone told an investor conference today. “Despite a trucking market that’s not really helpful right now … we are seeing truck conversions coming in every week,” Boone says. “I think that […]

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Lionel releases 2025 Volume 2 catalog

catalog page with locomotive set

Lionel Trains has released a 2025 Volume II catalog. The 44-page book includes new items in the Legacy, LionChief, Star Wars, and Accessory lines. Highlights include a Santa Fe Super Chief set (No. 2622020), which includes two F3A locomotives, two F3Bs (one unpowered), baggage car, Pullman sleeper car, dome car, diner, three sleeping cars, and […]

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WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose

Color photo of HO scale caboose molded in gray plastic with formed wire and etched-brass detail parts.

WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $75.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com WalthersProto HO Wabash streamlined cupola caboose features: All-new model As-built or modernized smokejack Clear window glazing Detailed interior Factory-installed wire grab irons and handrails Minimum radius, 18”; recommended radius, 22” […]

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News & Products for the week of August 11th 2025

A blue, white and red model locomotive

News & Products for the week of August 11th 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 11th, […]

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Hobby Trax USA track wand tester

Color photo of black-and-white wand with green wire attached to end with alligator clip at opposite end of wire

Hobby Trax USA track wand tester Price: $9.99 Manufacturer: Hobby Trax USA, 1237 Victoria Ave., No. 310, Oxnard, CA 93035; 518-727-2009; hobbytrax.us Hobby Trax USA track wand tester features: Easy to use Fitted with 20” of wire and an alligator clip to attach to rail For use on DC layouts, remove locomotives from layout and […]

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