NJ Transit service resumes after strike

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit resumed rail service this morning after a four-day shutdown because of a strike by engineers, with the first scheduled move a 3:47 a.m. Northeast Corridor line departure from Trenton to New York. Inbound service on all lines was slated to begin by 5:10 am.; the last route to see a […]

Read More…

MBTA settles suit over death of man dragged to death by train

Rapid transit equipment parked over inspection pit in shop building

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has settled with the estate of a 39-year-old man killed in 2022 when he was dragged by a Red Line train after his arm became stuck in a railcar’s closing doors. The Boston Globe reports that the MBTA settled a negligence lawsuit over the death of Robinson Lalin […]

Read More…

MTA resumes subway service to Rockaways after 17-week closure

View of elevated railway structure where two tracks come together

NEW YORK — New York City Transit has resumed A Train subway service to the Rockaway Peninsula, suspended since Jan. 17 to allow for critical infrastructure work. The 17-week shutdown allowed rebuilding of the Hammels Wye viaduct and repairs to the South Channel Bridge across Jamaica Bay, damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Emergency repairs […]

Read More…

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, […]

Read More…

Nickel Plate Road Nos. 765 and 358 celebrate Wheeling & Lake Erie’s anniversary

Steam and diesel locomotive sit together

BREWSTER, Ohio — Following its two-week stay at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 made a historic detour on its way back to the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. On May 5, the 2-8-4, owned and operated by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, departed the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic, heading southbound […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

Metra assumes operation of trains on UP commuter lines

Commuter train passing freight train

CHICAGO — Metra has taken over operation of the three Union Pacific lines previously operated by the freight railroad under a Purchase of Service Agreement, the commuter operator has announced. The changeover took place on Friday, May 16, according to a recent filing with the Surface Transportation Board. That it occurred without fanfare was intended, […]

Read More…

Minnesota legislature withdraws funding for Twin Cities-Duluth passenger service

Map of proposed route of Twin Cities-Duluth passenger train

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota legislators have passed a bill withdrawing $77 million in funding for development of Northern Lights Express passenger service between the Twin Cities and Duluth, Minn., with one lawmaker calling the proposed rail service “effectively dead.” Along with defunding the passenger project, House File 1143 also cut special education funds by […]

Read More…

Steam cab ride on the Mt. Rainier Scenic

Two men in locomotive cab

It’s 7:30 a.m. and our Trains crew has arrived at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum in Mineral, Wash. for a steam engine cab ride. It’s about a two-hour plus drive from Carnation, Wash. where I run, own and operate my own short line electrified private railway. Today though, I’m a guest crew member […]

Read More…

NJ Transit, engineers reach deal to end strike (additional updates)

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — The strike by NJ Transit locomotive engineers is over, with service to resume on Tuesday, May 20. The transit agency and members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced this evening (Sunday, May 18) that they reached a tentative settlement to end the walkout that began on Friday. Neither side […]

Read More…

NJ Transit, BLET resume talks

Commuter train at junction

NEWARK, N.J. — Talks between NJ Transit and striking engineers resumed today (Saturday, May 17) — a day earlier than originally indicated — but will continue on Sunday, the transit agency said. “Today’s discussions continued to be constructive,” NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said in a brief statement. “We’ve mutually agreed to adjourn formal discussions […]

Read More…

50 years ago in Trains: A 1975 visit to Grand Central Terminal

Cover of the May, 1975 Trains Magazine

Fifty years ago, in the May 1975 Trains Magazine, prolific author William D. Middleton visited New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. His 14 page article opened on a down note, with Middleton writing: Grand Central’s great long-distance trains are gone now. deposed by the airplane and the automobile: and no longer do the rich, the […]

Read More…