Canadian high-speed project extends public consultation period

Logo of Canadian high speed company Alto

MONTREAL — Canada’s high-speed rail project has extended the public consultation process around its route selection to April 24, adding 27 days for public comment. Alto, the Crown corporation leading development of the Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City project, announced the extended consulation period today, which it said is because of “a high level of participation and sustained […]

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Farm Bureau says UP-NS merger will cost farmers, could lead to higher food prices

UP train on curve

WASHINGTON — A Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would reduce shipping options for farmers and make them more vulnerable to price increases, economists for the American Farm Bureau said in an analysis released today (Wednesday, March 11). The long-term effect of the merger could be increased consumer prices for food as expenses rise throughout the food […]

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How to preserve a favorite model

an HO scale model of a red and green tugboat is tied to a steel dock in front of a brick warehouse building

Model railroaders are model builders, and sometimes we build models for layouts that aren’t there anymore, and the old models lose their spot. We like our models, but we don’t have a use for them in any of our new projects, so they go into boxes and get stored under our layouts, slowly disintegrating. I […]

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California Zephyr, Southwest Chief suffer extraordinary mechanical delays over weekend

An Amtrak train runs alongside a Metra train on parallel tracks

CHICAGO — Late arrivals are, to a degree, preordained for Amtrak’s long-distance trains on the first weekend of Daylight Saving Time — but not to the extent experienced by the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief. When clocks advance by one hour every spring (except in Arizona, which does not observe Daylight Saving Time), Amtrak trains […]

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California legislators seek federal transit funding for 2028 Olympics, Paralympics

LA Metro light rail train on curving bridge

WASHINGTON — Thirty-six members of California’s congressional delegation have asked the White House for some $2 billion in transit funding to support the 2028 Olympic and Paralymic Games. “Like you, we collectively want to ensure that we have a safe, secure, efficient, and accessible transportation network in the Los Angeles mega-region for this global sporting […]

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CSX-served transformer plant launches $200 million expansion

People in hard hats throwing shovels of dirt during groundbreaking ceremony

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — HD Hyundai Power Transformers USA, a CSX-served facility in Montgomery, on March 6 held groundbreaking for a $200 million plant expansion expected to be completed in mid-2027 and support 600 jobs. The expansion will allow HD-HPT to manufacture larger electrical transformers and increases the company’s total investment in Montgomery to $277 million […]

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Canadian union wins ruling requiring CN to reopen shop facilities, hire workers

Aerial view of shop complex

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — An arbitrator has ordered Canadian National to reinvest in its Transcona Wheel Shop, return work to in-house, and compensate affected workers, the Unifor union said today. The ruling stems from CN’s closure of the wheel shop, traction motor shop, and air brake shop at the yard in Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic […]

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Hudson Tunnel work has resumed, but Gateway commission warns another stoppage is possible

Barges in river with Manhattan skylline as backdrop

NEW YORK — Work has resumed at all Hudson Tunnel Project sites, the Gateway Development Commission said today, but another halt could come in two to three months if the disbursement of federal funds does not continue. Additionally, two major contracts that were supposed to be awarded late in 2025 or early this year remain […]

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Charlotte council approves $37.9 million to advance commuter rail project

Map of rail line between Charlotte and Mount Mourne, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council on Monday approved spending $37.9 million for the next stage of the Red Line commuter rail project, which will serve communities north of the city. The unanimous vote will pay for work by HDR Engineering to bring the project design to the 30% stage and prepare the project’s […]

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MTH RailKing Galloping Goose railbus

green model railbus

The “Galloping Goose” railbuses were built by the Rio Grande Southern in the 1930s as a cheaper way to haul mail, passengers, and lighter freight. They used automobile or truck engines with freight containers, and ran on narrow-gauge track. The Goose was not only less expensive to operate but also much lighter, so less wear […]

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Nickel Plate Road caboose red

Color photo showing glass bottle of red paint with red, white, and black label and black metal lid and spray can with red, white, blue, and black graphics and red plastic cap on white background.

Q: I want to know if anyone has a good red that matches closely with the one used on Nickel Plate Road 1000-series wood cabooses. I’m buying a 3D-printed kit and don’t think the colors I have found match that well. Curious if anyone could help me out? — Jack_Kemp_IV, via the MR Forums A: […]

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