SUMMIT, Ill. — Some projects in Chicago’s CREATE program, which seeks to address rail congestion, bring dramatic changes to the landscape. The Englewood Flyover, the lengthy bridge which raised Metra’s Rock Island District above the Norfolk Southern main line on the city’s South Side, is the classic example. For others, the impact is far more […]
This review of Atlas O High Cube boxcars is by Chris Montagna of the Chris’s Trains and Things channel on YouTube. I have two highly anticipated pieces of rolling stock from Atlas O: the Gunderson 50-foot High Cube Boxcars. Atlas announced these cars in its June 2021 catalog. Trains.com members can see a video review […]
On Friday, June 17 ScaleTrains announced that it acquired the HO and N scale locomotive and freight car lines from Fox Valley Models. Fox Valley Models owner Matt Gaudynski joined ScaleTrains.com as a full-time senior product developer around a year ago. “In his short time with ScaleTrains, Matt has played a key role in helping […]
Amtrak Rohr Turboliner Scale: N (1:160) Price: Five-car set (direct-current model, $449.95; with dual-mode ESU sound decoder, $679.95). Single car, $64.95 Era: 1976 to 2004 (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com Amtrak Rohr Turboliner features: All-wheel electrical pickup (including coaches) Both […]
Canadian National GP9RM diesels and slug units Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: GP9RM (direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $239.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $349.95). GP9RM/slug sets (direct-current models with 21-pin connectors, $439.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $669.95). Era: Early 1980s to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 […]
General Electric C30-7 diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $239.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $349.95 Era: September 1976 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com General Electric C30-7 features: Adirondack or Rockwell trucks as appropriate […]
There is an astonishing (and confusing) variety of track available, and you may wish to “mix and match” brands. For example, you may want to use an operating section for triggering a dump car, but it isn’t available in your track brand. You can transition to tubular track, insert a traditional activation section, and transition […]
Alco RS27 failure: It’s tough when professional engineers create a decent locomotive that builds on successes, and pitfalls, of the past and still nobody really wants it. That was the Alco RS27, also referred to as the DL640. Its 16-cylinder, 251B prime mover pushed out 2,400 hp. Coincidentally, only 27 were built between December 1959 […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern will serve a new 1,100-acre economic “megasite” for manufacturing announced Thursday by the state of Georgia and the Development Authority of Peach County. The Middle Georgia Megasite, located near the city of Fort Valley and close to the geographic center of the state, is less than 5 hours by train from […]
BARRE, Vt. — Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will extend service from its current northern endpoint of Rutland to Burlington, Vt., with additional stops in Vergennes and Middlebury, as of July 29, 2022, the Vermont Agency of Transportation has announced. The extension follows extensive work to upgrade track infrastructure between Rutland and Burlington to accommodate higher train […]
NEW YORK — A subway rider died early Thursday after being caught between a train and station platform, falling onto the tracks, according to New York’s transit agency — a description which contradicted initial reports that he had been dragged to his death after being caught in a train doorway. The New York Times reports […]
CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra has begun a survey of riders and the public, seeking comment to aid in creation of its next five-year plan. The plan will seek to address long-term funding solutions, challenges in regaining riders and attracting new customers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and addressing changing rider needs. […]
