Rapido Trains to release Turbo 2.0

Color illustrations showing HO Turbo 2.0 paint schemes.

Rapido Trains announced that the United Aircraft TurboTrain is returning to HO scale with the release of the Turbo 2.0. The model is scheduled for release in mid-2023. The Turbo 2.0 will be offered in the following paint schemes: Amtrak (early and late), Canadian National, Penn Central/U.S. DOT, United Aircraft/U.S. DOT, and VIA Rail (with […]

Read More…

Product News for the week of March 24, 2022

Photo of HO scale three-bay hopper painted green with yellow, red, white, and black graphics and coal load on white background.

Product News 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 news updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of March 24, 2022.   HO scale freight cars Assorted freight car […]

Read More…

Amtrak sued over fatal onboard shooting

Amtrak logo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The family of a man shot and killed aboard an Amtrak train is suing the passenger railroad and the suspect in the killing for at least $100 million, the Kansas City Star reports. Richie Terell Aaron Jr., 30, was shot aboard the Missouri River Runner on Jan. 14, 2022. His family […]

Read More…

Nine hurt in vehicle-light rail accident in East St. Louis, Ill.

Logo of St. Louis Metro and MetroLink

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Nine people were injured, two critically, in a collision between a St. Louis MetroLink train and a vehicle near the Washington Park station on Sunday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle and one person on the train were in critical condition, the Belleville News-Democrat reported. The car caught fire after […]

Read More…

Congressman seeks Amtrak service connecting San Antonio to Mexico

Head shot of man outdoors wearing white shirt

AUSTIN, Texas — A Congressman is asking Amtrak to consider service that could give the passenger carrier a connection to Mexico. KSTA radio reports that U.S. Rep Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) met with Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner and Chief Financial Officer Tracie Winbigler about the possibility of Amtrak resurrecting long-discontinued service between San Antonio and Laredo, […]

Read More…

Durango & Silverton owner to take over Arizona tourist attraction

Logo of American Heritage Railways

TUCSON, Ariz. — The parent company of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is set to broaden its interests by taking over Old Tucson Studios, a tourist attraction which closed in 2020. The Arizona Daily Star reports that Pima County, Ariz., has recommended that American Heritage Railways receive an operating agreement for Old Tucson. […]

Read More…

Toronto Railway Museum receives $50,000 grant

Logo of Toronto Railway Museum

TORONTO — The Toronto Railway Museum has received a $50,000 Community Building Fund grant from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, helping the museum to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is being used to assist with audiovisual equipment and operating costs to improve the museum’s online program, including development […]

Read More…

Denver RTD, union approve new three-year agreement

Denver_Light_Rail_Lassen

DENVER — The Regional Transportation District and its union have both approved a new three-year labor agreement including raises of at least 25% for bus and light rail operators. KMGH-TV reports the RTD board of directors authorized the agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, which represents about two-thirds of the district’s employees. It will […]

Read More…

Hitachi Rail to build new factory near Hagerstown, Md.

Interior of structure with railcars

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Maryland — Hitachi Rail will build a new factory in Washington County to build the new 8000-series railcars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the company has announced. The $70 million factory, near the Hopewell Valley Industrial Park adjacent to Hagerstown, Md., is projected to employ up to 460 people, and will […]

Read More…

Canadian Pacific shutdown begins in Canada (updated)

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

CALGARY, Alberta — With each side blaming the other, a dispute between Canadian Pacific and the union representing 3,000 train crew members and yard workers has led to a halt of the railroad’s operations in Canada. Canada’s Minister of Labor, Seamus O’Regan, confirmed the stoppage had begun in a Twitter post at 12:01 a.m. EDT […]

Read More…