The Lionel Legacy H-15-44

Lionel Legacy H15-44 long hood and builder plate

The Lionel Legacy H-15-44 accurately captures in O gauge a transitional model for the locomotive builder. With help from industrial designer Raymond Loewy of Pennsylvania Railroad S1 and GG1 acclaim, Fairbanks-Morse built a road switcher that could, for a time, be found pulling passenger trains. The Wisconsin-based company would continue with this same profile through […]

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BL2 at Muskegon

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EMD’s BL2 of 1948–49 was conceived to be as versatile as a road-switcher yet attractive enough to give passenger trains a respectable appearance. Chesapeake & Ohio 1841 illustrates the BL2’s bi-directionality as it idles at the head of a passenger train at Muskegon, Mich., in the 1950s. David W. Richter photo […]

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California passes regulations calling for zero-emission locomotives

Freight train with yellow locomotives in mountains

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has passed regulations requiring dramatic measures to reduce diesel locomotive emissions within the state — including all new locomotives to offer zero-emission operation by 2035 — although the rail industry says the rules exceed the technology needed to meet them. In a move last week, the California Air Resources Board passed […]

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General Electric BQ23-7: An Odd Diesel That Didn’t

General Electric BQ23-7 locomotive in yard

The General Electric BQ23-7 turned out to be an odd diesel that didn’t.     At the dawn of railroads eschewing cabooses as unnecessary expenses, locomotive builders were putting forth ideas to accommodate train crews. One option was the BQ23-7, the Q indicating crew Quarters.   General Electric’s design team took its standard 2,250 hp […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD GP20

Screen shot of Product Review video.

The Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD GP20 is back in more than a dozen paint schemes, including Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR). Join Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno as they talk about the features on the four-axle road locomotive and switch cars on MR’s WSOR staff layout. In addition to […]

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News & Products for the week of May 1st 2023

News & Products for the week of May 1st 2023: An image of a model locomotive

News & Products for the week of May 1st 2023 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 May 1st 2023. […]

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LA’s Metrolink receives state funding for two projects

Commuter train next to ornate former station

LOS ANGELES — Commuter rail operator Metrolink will receive more than $25 million for a pair of projects — $10 million for projects to improve locomotive fuel efficiency and $15.5 million for double tracking of a route in Riverside County — under state funding awarded Monday. The funding, announced by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, come […]

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New and old on the Atlantic & East Carolina

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The newness of green-and-yellow F2 No. 401 contrasts with the antiquity of the wooden cars as the Atlantic & Eastern Carolina’s daily passenger train crosses the Trent River at New Bern, N.C., in 1946. The 96-mile A&EC had two F units, both F2s. A&EC photo […]

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News & Products for the week of April 24th 2023

News & Products for the week of April 24th 2023 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 April 24th 2023. […]

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Patriot Rail puts a new face on Keokuk Junction operations

Side view of blue locomotive leading train with part of red and gray locomotive also visible

KEOKUK, Iowa — Patriot Rail, which acquired the Keokuk Junction Railway last year, has begun upgrading the railroad’s locomotive roster. The new owner has moved in a former CSX Transportation GP38-3, now LTEX No. 3048, and GP40-2 No. 6437, both in the Patriot Rail corporate paint scheme honoring veterans and troops. The cab sides include […]

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