SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are expected to make another attempt to address the budget deficit facing Chicago transit agencies during a veto session that begins today (Oct. 14, 2025) — although it remains to be seen if the issue will have the same amount of urgency since the size of the deficit has been […]
WASHINGTON — Beleaguered commuter railroads — which are being hit by the double whammy of funding cuts and lower ridership since the pandemic — are seeking breathing room regarding liability insurance coverage. The Commuter Rail Coalition is cheering a bipartisan bill that would give commuter railroads 60 additional days to secure additional excess liability coverage […]
News & Products for the week of October 13th 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 October 13th, […]
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has suspended service on two commuter rail lines today (Monday, Oct. 13) because of a storm expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding. An advisory on the agency’s website says North Jersey Coast Line service is suspended between Bay Head and Long Branch — the 10 southernmost […]
Scenery is in full swing on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! In this episode, both Cody Grivno and David Popp get deep into the effort of framing up the farm scene, developing the depot area, adding weathering effects to bridge abutments, and more! Be sure to keep up with the […]
WASHINGTON — Starting early next January, no freight or passenger trains will be scheduled to cross the Potomac River between Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Va., during an 8:15 a.m.-to-1 p.m. window seven days a week for up to five years. This will accommodate construction on a $2.3 billion, four-track bridge being built to replace the […]
CHICAGO — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen who operate on Metra’s Union Pacific lines have ratified a new contract, the BLET said on Friday (Oct. 10, 2025). The contract, which calls for a 3.5% wage increase, was ratified by a 60-1 vote. The pay increases will take effect no later than […]
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has declared a state of emergency beginning at 10 p.m. ET today (Saturday, Oct. 11) in anticipation of a strong storm expected to hit its service on Sunday, Oct. 12, and Monday, Oct. 13, and is advising customers to travel during the storm only if absolutely necessary. Those who are traveling […]
CHICAGO — Metra plans a fare increase as part of its proposed 2026 budget, a $1.1 million plan that includes other measures to address a projected $68 million funding shortfall but no cuts in service. The commuter rail agency’s announcement today (Oct. 10, 2025) also includes a proposed $575.3 million capital plan continuing Metra’s work […]
An A-B-B set of F7’s leads the Santa Fe’s Fast Mail Express toward Los Angeles at West Victorville, Calif., in 1950. The train’s 14-car consist is heavy with baggage, express, and mail storage cars, but it also includes a Railway Post Office car. A baggage-coach combine brought up the rear as a rider car for […]
Tour the Pennsylvania & Western RR, Bob Bartizek’s impressive O scale (1:48, 3-rail) model railroad representing a fictional subdivision of the Pennsylvania RR in western Pennsylvania between 1949 and 1953. Though it uses 3-rail power and GarGraves Phantom-line O gauge track with a black center rail, the locomotives and rolling stock are all built to […]
CHICAGO — From the outside, stainless steel gallery car No. 6103 looks just like any other Nippon Sharyo multi-level coach. But it will soon take turns roaming Metra’s BNSF, Milwaukee District, and Union Pacific routes though mid-November, offering snacks and beverages. The upstairs seating and dual walkways have been removed on one half of the […]
