Arizona community opposed to BNSF project considers cityhood

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

WITTMANN, Ariz. — Residents of the unincorporated community of Wittmann are considering cityhood, in part as a response to BNSF’s plans for a $3.2 billion logistics center in the area. The Arizona Republic reports an incorporation drive is under way as a method of giving the area, about 35 miles northwest of Phoenix, more control […]

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Classic conveyance

20200527

The plain 40-foot, general-purpose boxcar was the standard method of hauling bulk grain through the 1960s. Adding temporary grain doors to the door openings made a boxcar a rolling storage tub. This steel Chicago Great Western-marked car carries a load of corn at Milwaukee in the 1970s. Its replacements, high-capacity covered hopper cars, are already […]

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NS resumes service to Asheville, N.C., and sets sights on restoring Old Fort Loops line

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern resumed service last month between Asheville, N.C., and points west for the first time since Hurricane Helene devastated the AS Line in September. The railroad’s rebuilding efforts now will turn to restoring its line between Old Fort and Grovestone, N.C., which includes the historic Old Fort Loops, NS said today. NS […]

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How do I safely remove the shell of a postwar Flyer freight car?

red model boxcar

Do you have any suggestions for easily and safely removing the pins that hold the plastic body shell on various American Flyer freight and passenger cars from the postwar era? Using a pair of pliers has not worked. — Robert Lawrence You have to wedge a screwdriver or another tool between the body shell and […]

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Chandler joins Pinsly as vice president of engineering

Head and torso photo of man in suit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pinsly Railroad Co. has named Arthur Chandler as its new vice president of engineering. Chandler has spent half of his 20-year rail industry career with CSX and half with Genesee & Wyoming. He will oversee Pinsly’s annual capital spending program and lead key intiatives by the company’s engineering team. “I am thrilled […]

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Atlas HO scale newsprint boxcar

Color photo of HO scale boxcar painted green and black on white background

Atlas HO scale newsprint boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $36.95; undecorated, $29.95 Era: 1967 to late 2000s Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale newsprint boxcar features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Injection-molded plastic body Metal wheelsets Screw-mounted roller-bearing trucks See-through crossover platforms Separate, factory-applied brake wheel, door […]

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Tornado blamed for UP derailment in Kansas

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

HAVILAND, Kan. — A tornado is being blamed for the derailment of about 100 cars of a Union Pacific train late Sunday (May 18) in rural Kansas, the Hays Post reports. The incident occurred about 11 p.m. while the train was stopped near the town of Haviland after receiving a tornado warning, UP spokeswoman Robynn […]

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News & Products for the week of May 19th 2025

A yellow and gray model locomotive

News & Products for the week of May 19th 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of May 19th, […]

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CN continues work to expand capacity and fluidity in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National aims to squeeze as much capacity as possible out of the Port of Vancouver, where a combination of water, development, and terrain make it difficult to physically expand. CN CEO Tracy Robinson says coordination is essential to getting the most out of the British Columbia port, which last year […]

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Southern California international intermodal volume shows weekly decline

Reflecting the sting of steep tariffs levied on Chinese imports, eastbound international container volume out of Southern California declined to the lowest level in six months during the week ending May 18, according to data from RailState. The weekly volume was down 5% compared to the prior week and declined 10% compared to the four-week […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 10 | Laying straight track and turnouts

The HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout wouldn’t be a model railroad without the trackwork! In this episode, hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy work to install sections of flexible straight track, before demonstrating how to add standard turnouts (track switches) along the line. Be sure to keep up with the construction […]

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