Toy trains in Argentina

model tinplate tender and crane

In the 1920s, as Argentina’s economy boomed and its railway system expanded, toy trains began to capture the imaginations of children and adults.  Because British investors and engineers played a key role in Argentina’s railroad development, it made sense that the first toy trains came from European manufacturers like Hornby. It was a simple matter […]

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Derailment temporarily halts Northeast Corridor traffic between Philadelphia, Washington (updated)

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak service in the Northeast Corridor has been disrupted this morning (June 23, 2025) by a track closure between Philadelphia and Washington attributed to “disabled equipment from one of our rail partners,” according to the Amtrak Northeast social media feed. The passenger operator has also announced at least one heat restriction in the […]

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North Dakota storms blamed for two derailments

CPKC logo

High winds and a tornado are blamed for a pair of derailment in North Dakota on Friday and Saturday. Thirty cars of a CPKC train were derailed on Friday, June 20, about three miles southeast of Enderlin, where a tornado killed three people. The Fargo Forum newspaper reports the storm was so destructive that authorities […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 14 | Painting the backdrop

Painting the initial backdrop installation a single shade of blue was just fine to get things started on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. However, David and Bryson share an easy technique for blending the background sky color with the adjacent wall color, and set the stage for those stunning photos […]

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5 traits of the Ann Arbor Railroad

Two blue diesel cab locomotives lead a freight train.

  Michigan was and still is no stranger to railroads small yet unique enough to attract a following. The former Ann Arbor Railroad, not to be confused with today’s incarnation under Watco, certainly fit the bill with these 5 traits of the Ann Arbor Railroad that range from quirky to charming.   More car ferry […]

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Federal court rejects Chicago suburbs’ bid to review CPKC merger

People walk across railroad tracks as trains meet in background

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has turned down a suit by a group of Chicago suburbs seeking review of the Surface Transportation Board decision approving the Canadian Pacific Kansas City merger. In a decision announced today (June 20, 2025), the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia District denied the request by the […]

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Falcon Premium, joint CN-UP-Ferromex intermodal service, receives Mexican award

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway has announced Falcon Premium intermodal service it operates with Union Pacific and Grupo Mexico’s Ferromex has received the Silver Container (Contenedor de Plata) award from the Asociación Mexicana de Transporte Intermodal. The organization is Mexico’s leading intermodal transport association, promoting best practices in cross-border logistics. The award recognizes outstanding achievements […]

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Federal court blocks directive tying transportation funding to immigration enforcement (updated)

Two men next to fence with warning sign

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot tie transportation funding to compliance with its immigration policies. In a Thursday, June 19, ruling, Judge John McConnell issued a preliminary injunction blocking the ability of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Department of Transportation from linking the funds to immigration actions, […]

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Senate bill aims to improve rail service by addressing common carrier obligation (updated)

Freight train with blue and yellow locomotives on three-track line surrounded by trees

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Senators have reintroduced a bill they say is designed to address the cost and reliability of freight railroad service by better defining railroads’ common carrier obligation. The “Reliable Rail Service Act of 2025” is sponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). It would amend the requirement to serve […]

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Athearn N F89-F flatcar review

Color photo of N scale flatcar with trailer load on white background.

Price: Flatcar only, $43.99; flatcar with 45-foot trailer, $69.99 Manufacturer Athearn Trains 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 athearn.com Road names: Trailer Train (mineral red and yellow schemes), Kansas City Southern, and Southern Pacific. Three road numbers per scheme (two without trailer, one with). Era: 1960s+ to 1990s+ (varies by paint scheme) Comments: Athearn recently […]

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Art Kear’s Wellsville, Addison & Galeton in HO scale

Title screen from layout visit video with title in upper left corner.

In the August 2025 issue of Model Railroader, we featured Art Kear’s HO scale Buffalo & Susquehanna to Wellsville, Addison & Galeton. The 12 x 32-foot multi-deck walk-in layout features a logging line circa 1910 and the steam-to-diesel transition era in 1950. “Once the train room was completed, it was time to get started on […]

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Art Kear’s Wellsville, Addison & Galeton in HO scale

Title screen from layout visit video with title in upper left corner.

In the August 2025 issue of Model Railroader, we featured Art Kear’s HO scale Buffalo & Susquehanna to Wellsville, Addison & Galeton. The 12 x 32-foot multi-deck walk-in layout features a logging line circa 1910 and the steam-to-diesel transition era in 1950. “Once the train room was completed, it was time to get started on […]

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