Iowa approves $3.3 million in funding for rail projects

Logo of Iowa Department of Transportation

CLINTON, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission, which oversees transportation planning for the state, approved $3.3 million in grants and loans for four rail infrastructure and related projects within the state at its Oct. 14, 2025, meeting. https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-14/33-million-awarded-through-iowas-railroad-revolving-loan-and-grant-program Receiving a $1.469 million grant was a new box manufacturing plant being built by International Paper in […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale four-bay covered hopper painted light gray with black, white, and yellow graphics on medium gray background

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper features: 36” machined metal wheelsets with .110” wide wheel tread Body-mounted, die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Early body with peaked roof or late body […]

Read More…

Cathcart Rail names Driggers as new CEO

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Scott Driggers has been named CEO of Cathcart Rail, which operates three short line railroads, provides switching and transloading services, and a nationwide railcar service network. Driggers, who joined Cathcart Rail as chief operating officer in June, succeeds Jeff Chick. He brings more than 25 years of rail industry experience, including leadership […]

Read More…

Athearn HO wood-chip hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale wood-chip hopper painted mineral red with white and black graphics on white background

Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of October 13th 2025

A set of various model passenger cars in colorful paint schemes

News & Products for the week of October 13th 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 October 13th, […]

Read More…

Evacuation order lifted after CN derailment

Canadian National logo

NORA, Ill.  — Residents of the village of Nora were to be allowed to return to their homes at 6 a.m. today (Friday, Oct. 10) following a Thursday morning derailment of a Canadian National Railway train that led to the evacuation of about 100 people. The Warren, Ill., Fire Department posted that information, from the […]

Read More…

BNSF-CSX interline intermodal service off to fast start

BNSF Railway and CSX are seeing immediate results from the interline domestic intermodal partnership that they announced in August linking the Southwest and Southeast. Over the past six weeks, CSX intermodal volume is up 8%, according to the railroad’s weekly carload reports. Rival Norfolk Southern’s intermodal traffic has declined 6.8% over the same stretch, suggesting […]

Read More…

Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale three-bay covered hopper painted Mineral Red with white, black, and yellow graphics

Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59 Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper features: Based on phase 2 prototype with 10 body panels and 17 running board supports Blackened machined metal wheelsets Body-mounted plastic E-Z Mate Mark II […]

Read More…