Interim VIA CEO questioned on equipment issues, remote trains

Cab car leads train into station

OTTAWA, Ontario — VIA Rail Canada’s interim CEO faced pointed questions about equipment problems and remote service during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, with equipment reliability issues spurring a resolution calling for VIA’s upcoming long-distance equipment purchase to follow “Buy Canadian” rules. The session before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and […]

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Former Wabtec CEO joins Intramotev board

Head shot of smiling man in coat and tie

ST. LOUIS — Former Wabtec CEO Ray Betler has joined the board of directors of Intramotev, the company developing autonomous railcars. Betler, who began his career as a propulsion systems engineer at Westinghouse, rose to become the youngest head of engineering and later president and CEO in the company’s 120-year history. He joined Wabtec in […]

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Canadian union wins ruling requiring CN to reopen shop facilities, hire workers

Aerial view of shop complex

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — An arbitrator has ordered Canadian National to reinvest in its Transcona Wheel Shop, return work to in-house, and compensate affected workers, the Unifor union said today. The ruling stems from CN’s closure of the wheel shop, traction motor shop, and air brake shop at the yard in Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic […]

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Nickel Plate Road caboose red

Color photo showing glass bottle of red paint with red, white, and black label and black metal lid and spray can with red, white, blue, and black graphics and red plastic cap on white background.

Q: I want to know if anyone has a good red that matches closely with the one used on Nickel Plate Road 1000-series wood cabooses. I’m buying a 3D-printed kit and don’t think the colors I have found match that well. Curious if anyone could help me out? — Jack_Kemp_IV, via the MR Forums A: […]

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News & Products for the week of March 9th 2026

A navy blue and gold model locomotive

News & Products for the week of March 9th 2026   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 March 9th […]

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Amtrak adds train capacity for spring and summer

CHICAGO — Amtrak is addressing the coach capacity shortfall on the Coast Starlight and Sunset Limited while shuffling equipment to beef up summer consists on other Superliner-equipped trains. However, the railroad still contends it can’t come up with two Viewliner sleeping cars and two Viewliner diners to augment the triweekly Cardinal, its perpetually sold-out New […]

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Hobbyshop Window for March 6th 2026

Color photo showing B end of HO scale two-bay covered hopper with exterior posts painted brown with black and white graphics on white background.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as a frequent feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending March 6th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Rapido Trains HO Greenbrier coil gondola review

Color photo showing modern coil car with hood placed next to car on white background. The model is painted blue with yellow and white graphics and dark gray bunk liners.

Looking to add a model of one of the newest freight cars on the rails to your HO layout? Then you’ll want to check out the Greenbrier 5-trough transverse coil gondola from Rapido Trains. The model, based on a prototype introduced in 2021, features plastic and die-cast metal construction, 36″ metal wheelsets, and metal semi-scale […]

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OmniTRAX debuts restored private car

Blue and white private car

WASHINGTON — OmniTRAX has restored a business car built in 1959 to operation, debuting the car with a trip to Washington for the annual Railroad Day on the Hill industry event on Wednesday, March 4. The car, christened as Savannah Sunrise by the company, was built by National Steel Car and has undergone a years-long […]

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Modeling the Buckingham Branch in HO scale

Color illustration showing short hood and cab of HO scale EMD hood unit painted gray, red, black, and white with red, white, and yellow graphics on white background.

Q: I model the Shenandoah Valley in HO scale and I have some questions. Where can I find HO scale Buckingham Branch locomotives (preferably GP38-2s) and rolling stock? If there are none available, what paint and decals should I use to custom decorate a GP38-2? — Caleb Miller A: The Buckingham Branch (BB) is a […]

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News & Products for the week of March 2nd 2026

A yellow and gray model locomotive

News & Products for the week of March 2nd 2026   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 March 2nd […]

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