Wabtec unveils first locomotive for Africa’s Simandou project

Double-ended diesel locomotive in blue and turquoise paint scheme

MARHOWRA, India — Wabtec Corp. and Rio Tinto SimFer on Monday (May 26) unveiled the first locomotive in an order for TransGuinéen Railway, part of an order to serve Africa’s Simandou iron ore project. The Evolution Series ES43ACi locomotive is part of a $277 million order placed in 2024 by SimFer, a joint venture of […]

Read More…

International roundup: First steam locomotive joins England’s ‘Greatest Gathering’

A look at international rail news of note: ‘Locomotion’ set for Greatest Gathering Locomotion No. 1, the first steam locomotive to operate on a public railway, has been added to the equipment slated to appear at ‘The Greatest Gathering,’ the three-day festival of historic equipment that is part of the United Kingdom’s Railway 200 celebration. […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Interview | Rapido Trains Inc CEO Jason Shron Tariff Update

Trains.com Insider Interview | Jason Shron, Founder and CEO of Rapido Trains Inc., joins Director David Popp in a follow-up to his “Tariff Talk” interview, posted exclusively on Trains.com in March 2025. From the Rapido Trains UK office, Jason shares updates on how the company continues to navigate the fluctuating tariffs, including breathtaking revelations how […]

Read More…

Alstom CEO Poupart-Lafarge announces plans to step down

SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France — Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge will step down at the end of his current term in 2027, the company’s board of directors announced today (May 16, 2025). The announcement came two days after the global rail equipment manufacturer announced what it termed “solid” results for the fiscal year ending in March 2025. The […]

Read More…

Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow (with video)

Front of rotary snowplow with yellow blades and red housing

Editors note: For more on the Rhätishe Bahn and its heritage fleet, including Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow, see the July 2025 issue of Trains Magazine. PONTRESINA, Switzerland — Markus Zaugg, head of rolling stock for the Rhätische Bahn, is leading an informal tour of the railroad’s shop building in the mountain village of Pontresina. The town […]

Read More…

Drive-on piggyback service through Switzerland to end this year

Electric locomotive on train with sleeping car and trucks on flatcars

OLTEN, Switzerland — The Rolling Highway, a drive-on, drive-off piggyback service carrying tractors and trailers through the Swiss Alps, will shut down at the end of 2025, operator RAlpin has announced. The company cited disruptions to the rail network — particularly the troubled German network — as leading to the shutdown. RAlpin has provided transport […]

Read More…

Hobby industry launches national campaign for targeted tariff relief

Hobby industry launches national campaign: The logo for the Hobby Industry Coalition

A hobby industry campaign calls for targeted tariff relief to “protect American small businesses, STEM education, and community-based creative industries.” The Hobby Industry Coalition represents a wide spectrum of the American hobby and toy industry, including model railroading, among others. Per the Hobby Industry Coalition, the industry supports over 600,000 U.S. jobs and includes thousands […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Interview | Walthers Brand Manager Dana Kawala shares new products

Trains.com Insider Interview | Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., Brand Manager Dana Kawala chats with Trains.com staff writer Lucas Iverson. More than simply talking trains, Dana reveals several new items that the well-established manufacturer/distributor currently has available for purchase or has queued for production. Gather insights on product design and practical use, as Dana and Lucas […]

Read More…

PECO launches RAIL200 competition

The logo for PECO Model Railways, which features the word PECO in large white text against a red background

PECO Model Railways has announced a new competition to honor 200 years of British railways. RAIL200 is open to modelers based in the U.K., with two simultaneous competitions focusing on different disciplines of model railroading. A press release shared with Model Railroader states: “The RAIL200 Competition aims to celebrate two centuries of railway heritage by […]

Read More…

Atlas announces “Price Lock” program in response to tariff instability

Atlas "Price Lock" program: The logo for Atlas Model Railroad co.

Atlas Model Railroad Co. has announced the roll out of a new Price Lock program, effective through May 31, 2025, as a response to market uncertainty brought on by the rollout of U.S. tariffs. “We know our partners are navigating a rapidly changing market. This decision is about providing them time, clarity, and trust,” said […]

Read More…

The ongoing effect of United States tariffs on the model train industry

The following is a series of edited excerpts from an interview conducted by David Popp with Stacey Walthers Naffah, president and CEO of Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. on April 21, 2025. It is part of Trains.com and Model Railroader‘s ongoing coverage of U.S. tariffs. Click here to watch the complete video interview on Trains.com Video. […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Interview | Walthers CEO Stacey Walthers Naffah Talks Tariffs and Global Trade

Trains.com Insider Interview | Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., CEO and President Stacey Walthers Naffah stops by the Firecrown Media Wisconsin office to visit with Trains.com Director David Popp. The shift in U.S. trade policies and practices remains the topic of greatest interest to hobbyists. You’ll want to hear, directly from Stacey, how tariffs impact the […]

Read More…