U.S. carload traffic for 2022 slips below 2021 levels

Weekly table showing carload traffic by commodity plus overall intermodal statistics

WASHINGTON — With weekly traffic figures remaining depressed, year-to-date carload traffic for U.S. railroad has slipped below 2021 figures, albeit just slightly, according to the latest figures from the Association of American Railroads. Carload volume for the first 25 weeks of 2022 is down 0.1% from the same period a year ago, after being higher […]

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Southwest Chief was traveling at 87 mph at time of collision

Aerial view of locomotives damaged in derailment

MENDON, Mo. — The Southwest Chief was traveling at 87 mph — just under the track speed of 90 mph — when it struck a dump truck and derailed Monday in the accident that killed four people, including three passengers on board the Amtrak train. National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy provided that information […]

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Meet ClassOneModelWorks.com

class one logo with a box

Meet ClassOneModelWorks.com A new face is joining the model railroad marketplace. ClassOneModelWorks.com., based in Kansas City, Mo., is led by president and chief executive officer Mike Brusky and chief operating officer Stephen Priest. The company plans to introduce several HO scale locomotives and freight cars in the coming months. A brief history Brusky founded and […]

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American Model Supply narrow gauge gondola

large scale red gondola

American Model Supply narrow gauge gondola Scale: Large (1:20.3) Price: $160 Era: early 1920s to late 1960s Manufacturer: Accucraft AMS, livesteamstation.com Denver & Rio Grande Western High Side Gondola features: Die-cast trucks and metal wheels Detailed underbody Working couplers Brass handrails Ladders & corner steps Plastic body, brass casting News & Products is a regular feature […]

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Atlas Trainkids glow in the dark passenger train set and accessories

glow in the dark train set for kids

Trainkids glow in the dark passenger train set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $109.95, train set; $59.95, locomotive and car add-on kit; $17.95, passenger car add-on; $24.95, figure-8 expansion set; $7.95, magic re-railer two-pack; $12.95, 9” straight section six-pack; $12.95, 18” radius curve six-pack; $19.95, left- and right-hand switch set; $11.95, right-hand switch; $11.95, left-hand switch […]

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MR&T Jenks Blue HO scale diesel fleet

MR&T Jenks Blue locomotives: Photo of six HO scale diesel locomotives on white background

MR&T Jenks Blue diesel locomotives: The Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, Model Railroader’s staff layout, has been around for more than 45 years. Similar to many full-size railroads, the freelanced MR&T changed paint schemes on its diesel locomotives over the years. The railroad’s third – and current – paint scheme is Jenks Blue, which was introduced […]

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NTSB investigators gather information at site of Chief derailment

Aerial view of derailed train

MENDON, Mo. — National Transportation Safety Board investigators spent their first day on the scene of Monday’s fatal Southwest Chief derailment worked to gather information on train speed and other data from the locomotive event recorder, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Tuesday evening. The NTSB also sought to examine video from the P42 […]

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FRA approves return to service for Minnesota 2-8-0

Steam locomotive and freight cars under large plume of smoke

DULUTH, Minn. — After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and necessary repairs, the Federal Railroad Administration has approved the return to service of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway 2-8-0 No. 332. The locomotive was fired up this week and inspected, including setting its three sets of safety valves. […]

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Inflationary pressures may slow rail capacity projects: Analysis

Side-dump gondola unloads rock next to rail line

CHICAGO — Railroad capital projects to aid or accommodate traffic growth may temporarily slide to the back burner as inflation maintains near 40-year highs, driving up the costs of project materials as well as the interest rates to finance such projects. Those making decisions on projects and operating within specific capital budgets are likely realizing […]

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada finds action remains necessary on rail safety issues

Transportation Safety Board of Canada logo

GATINEAU, Quebec — A Transportation Safety Board of Canada review of outstanding safety recommendations found that none of the nine recommendations regarding rail transportation could be considered have been addressed in Fully Satisfactory fashion, the highest rating available. A Fully Satisfactory rating means a course of action has seen the issue eliminated or substantially reduced. […]

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Buses to replace trains on Hartford Line for two months

CTrail_Wallingford_Lassen

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Most Hartford Line service by CTrail and Amtrak will be replaced by buses for almost two months beginning July 18 to allow the Connecticut Department of Transportation to complete infrastructure projects in Hartford and Windsor, Conn. At Hartford Union Station, the platform canopy will be replaced, with new roofing and lighting over […]

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