U.S. rail traffic again shows notable decline

Table showing weekly carload rail traffic statistics by commodity type, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic showed a significant slide for the second consecutive week, with overall volume down 7.4% from the same week in 2021. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show 498,011 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending April 23, 2022. That includes total carloads, down 4.5%, and 268,976 containers and […]

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Atlas O Master Line 53-foot rebuilt well car

Atlas O Master Line 53-foot rebuilt well car Scale: O (1:48) Price: $114.95 Era: Present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com Features: Die-cast metal body Trucks with rotating bearing caps Brake rigging detail Etched metal walkways Minimum radius: 36” Available fourth quarter 2022 Road Names: Florida East Coast […]

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Rainbow bush or variegated elephant bush

A miniature “tree” next to a model house and pickup truck.

Common name: Rainbow bush, variegated elephant bush Botanical name: Portulacaria afra f. variegata Plant type: Perennial Plant size: 4′ high x 4′ wide (easily kept much lower) USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (protected in other zones) Cultural needs: Gravelly, well drained, neutral, or slightly acidic soil; full sun The elephants and deer-like kudu of South Africa […]

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STB seeks ways to quickly ease railroad service problems

Train with blue and yellow locomotives rounds curve

WASHINGTON — There were more questions than answers on Tuesday as federal regulators sought ways to remedy railroad service problems that defy a quick fix because they are rooted in a shortage of train crews. Shippers told the Surface Transportation Board that rail service has deteriorated, with delays mounting as transit times have in some […]

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Norfolk Southern move protects South Carolina wetlands

Aerial view of land covered with trees

DORCHESTER, S.C. — Norfolk Southern will permanently protect 1,105 acres of coastal wetlands in South Carolina through a conservation easement, the company announced Tuesday. The protected land is home to the Coldwater Branch Stream and Westland Mitigation Bank at Brosnan Forest, the company’s 14,400-acre time and wildlife preserve 35 miles northwest of Charleston at Dorchester. […]

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Deadline approaches for CPRA photography contest

Logo of Center for Railroad Photography and Art

MADISON, Wis. — Sunday, May 1, is the submission deadline for entries in the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s 2022 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards Program. Up to three images, color or black and white, can be entered with the theme of “Weather Effects.” Prizes include $750 for first place, $500 for second […]

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Accurail May 2022 HO scale freight car kits

Illustration of Accurail orange hopper

Accurail May 2022 HO scale freight car kits Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: See individual cars below Era: Varies depending on car type Manufacturer: Accurail, PO Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119, 630-365-1173, accurail@accurail.com Features: Injection-molded plastic kits Plastic wheelsets Solid-or roller-bearing trucks as appropriate Steel weight(s) Screws for trucks and draft-gear box covers Accumate couplers with modeler-installed […]

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2022 National Garden Railway Convention preview

Model steam train with snowplow on tracks

2022 National Garden Railway Convention preview: The Denver Garden Railway Society welcomes you to Denver this June! This year’s event will be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel, and will include an ice cream social, a BBQ at the Colorado Railroad Museum, daily bus tours to the railways on display, and pre- and post-convention tours. […]

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