Atlas O GP7 locomotive is a must have for early diesel fans

The Atlas O GP7 locomotive is a model of one of EMD’s diesels that put steam out to pasture. Watch this highly detailed O gauge engine in action as it pulls freight cars around the City Terminal & Transfer layout! Check out the features that make it a hi-railer’s dream. […]

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Amazon opens its intermodal network to other shippers

Amazon has begun soliciting business from shippers interested in using space in the company’s fleet of 53-foot intermodal containers. The move, touted in a YouTube video posted this month, puts Amazon in direct competition with intermodal providers such as J.B. Hunt, Hub Group, and the intermodal marketing companies that fill rail-owned containers. “With intermodal for […]

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Sheffield Farms Creamery V2.0 from The N Scale Architect

creamery kit

Sheffield Farms Creamery Scale: N (1:160) Price: $79.95 Era: 1892 to present Manufacturer: The N Scale Architect, 607-746-8416, thenarch.com Sheffield Farms Creamery features: Completely redesigned with larger overall footprint, interior support system, and upgraded roofing Laser-cut wood fiber board and micro-plywood kit Peel-and-stick laser-cut slate roofing and stone work Illustrated step-by-step instructions Measures 8¾” x 4¼” x 3¾” Vehicles […]

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Groups seek to buy Saluda Grade for conversion to rail trail

Green and white diesels at crest of mountain pass

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Three non-profit groups say they have made an offer to Norfolk Southern buy the right-of-way of the inactive Saluda Grade — when active, the steepest main line in America, averaging a 4.7% incline with a brief stretch of 5.1% grade — with plans to turn it into a 31-mile rail trail. The […]

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NTSB to look at crossing design, railcar crashworthiness as Chief investigation continues

Aerial view of locomotives damaged in derailment

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board says grade-crossing design specifications and railcar crashworthiness will be among the factors it continues to examine as it investigates the fatal grade-crossing collision and derailment involving Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. The NTSB released its preliminary report Thursday on the June 27 accident near Mendon, Mo. The preliminary report outlines […]

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Loose metal part struck third rail, causing MBTA Orange Line fire

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — A metal sill on a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authrotiy Orange Line train came loose and made contact with the electrified third rail, causing the fire that stopped the train on a bridge in Somerville, Mass., on Thursday, the agency says. The Boston Globe reports that MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said about 200 […]

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Newest Brightline equipment reaches destination

Two freight locomotives pulling two passenger trainsets, including engines

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has welcomed the arrival of two new trainsets at its Orlando Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The “Bright Green 2” and “Bright Pink 2” trainsets arrived Thursday, the third and fourth trains from the passenger operator’s second round of equipment purchases to arrive on site in Florida. The first train arrived in West […]

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North Carolina to launch study of Raleigh-Greenville passenger service

Blue locomotive with star on nose at passenger station

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation is launching a feasibility study to consider the possibility of operating passenger rail service beween the Raleigh-Durham area and Greenville, N.C., the Charlotte Observer reports. The $250,000 study, to be funded by a federal grant, is one of several considering expansion of the state’s passenger service […]

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Alaska Railroad receives authority to sell bonds for Seward dock project

Circular Alaska Railroad logo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad Corp. has been authorized to sell up to $60 million in bonds to upgrade its cruise passenger dock and terminal in Seward, Alaska, following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s signing of a bill earlier this month. Bond sales for the $80 million project will be underwritten by Bank of America Securities, […]

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CSX desire to retain rail lines likely to sink Tampa-area commuter proposal

CSX logo

TAMPA, Fla. — A long-discussed proposal to launch commuter rail service in the Tampa Bay area is unlikely to advance after CSX Transportation told local officials it is not interested in selling two rail lines in the area. The Tampa Bay Times reports that the railroad — which indicated seven years ago that it would […]

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Report says New York MTA needs more work to be ready for major storms

Men working along subway platform as pump removes water

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority still needs “considerable work” to be prepared to use some $350 million in flood-control devices installed since Hurricane Sandy caused substantial damage in 2012, according to a new report. Acting MTA Inspector General Elizabeth Keating said in a press release that in the years since Sandy, the MTA […]

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Atlas 68-foot flatcars

yellow flatcar

68-foot flatcars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $32.95 (undecorated, $29.95) Era: Late 1970s to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com 68-foot flatcars features: Side stake pockets Simulated tie loops, pull plate, and lift ring detail Fish-belly center sill Pull plates and lift rings Accumate couplers Release date: […]

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