Steel mills are big, gritty industries, and they make interesting scenes on model railroads. Bruce Dombey of Portage, Ind., sent in this photo of a Davenport 0-4-0 (a Bachmann On21⁄2 model with a new cab) switching ingot mold cars at the mill on his O scale layout. The mold cars are HO models by Rix […]
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – OmniTRAX yesterday began operations on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, the short line holding company’s 29th rail operation. The operation is a joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corp., the local owner of the 114-year-old Santa Maria Railroad for the past two decades. “This joint venture brings our companies’ collective […]
I came across this editoral from September 2000 issue from then Editor Neil Besougloff, and it made me smile. It still rings true 25 years later. What do you think? Dear Editor: The old trains in my collection have held up remarkably well over the decades. Other than flaking insulation, my trains are as […]
ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad has reactivated one of its vintage diesel locomotives for the first time in over 20 years. No. 34, a GE 44-ton center-cab switcher, was unveiled on Sunday (June 8, 2025) at the tourist railroad’s former Rock Island depot in Abilene. This comes after an extensive restoration […]
MIAMI — Commuter operator Tri-Rail will discontinue a pair of trains that had been launched as a pilot program to determine demand for late-night operations. Trains P650 and P651, and their connection trains to downtown’s MiamiCentral station, P650X and P651X, will end on June 30, WTVJ-TV reports. The service was launched in August 2024. P650 […]
WASHINGTON — The shipping “pause” that developed when tariffs slowed container traffic from China appears to have finally caught up with U.S. rail traffic. With container traffic down by 4.9%, overall U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 7 was 1.3% below the same week in 2024, according to the Association of American Railroads. […]
Rapido HO Pennsylvania RR G22 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; three-pack, $164.85; and six-pack, $329.70 Era: 1915 to 1970s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Pennsylvania RR G22 gondola features: 70- or 100-ton trucks with turned metal wheels AB or […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation engineers have ratified a new five-year contract, the railroad and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced today (Wednesday, June 11, 2025). The union said 53.6% of those returning ballots voted in favor of the contract. The BLET represents about 3,500 CSX employees. The agreement, which runs through Dec. 31, […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The two men charged with embezzling for their roles in the construction of secret apartments in Caltrain passenger stations has been sentenced to 120 and 60 days in jail, respectively. Joseph Navarro, a former Caltrain deputy director, was sentenced on Wednesday to 120 days in county jail and two years of […]
The Lionel Collectors Club of America has announced increases to their membership. In a recent LCCA email newsletter, the group announced that rising prices from vendors have affected expenses. Effective August 1, 2025, membership prices will change to: Regular Membership: $48.00 annually ($5.00 increase). Electronic Membership: $30.00 annually ($3.00 increase). Junior Membership: $30.00 per annually […]
On a lazy summer afternoon, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy GP7 no. 262 brings a local past Lang’s Dairy Farm. The train will continue down the branch line to Union Star, Mo., making setouts and pickups along the way. Lou Sassi photographed the scene on Dick Wolter’s HO scale CB&Q Brookfield Division layout. Dick lives […]
PRICE, Utah — The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, the governmental body behind the Uinta Basin Railway project, has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, June 12, on its intent to seek $2.4 billion in private activity bonds for construction of the 88-mile rail line. The coalition last week approved a plan lto seek the funding […]
