34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper from Wm. K. Walthers Inc.

Model of orange two-bay hopper

34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1970s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 34-foot 100-ton two-bay hopper features: Factory-applied door and brake details Heavy die-cast metal underframe 36” metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Gifford […]

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Government order requires extensive inspections, tests for VIA heritage fleet

Side view of passenger train with coach behind observation car

  OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]

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DC Metro says it lacks equipment to start service to Dulles Airport, blames safety agency

DC Metrorail train

WASHINGTON — DC Metro says it is ready to open its Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday Rush but lacks the equipment to do so — and is blaming the watchdog Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. In a Wednesday press release, Metro said the Silver Line is “operationally ready,” […]

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VIA: Need for ‘in-depth’ inspections led to buffer-car decision (updated)

Stainless steel dome-lounge-observation car at end of train in station

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada says in a statement to Trains News Wire that the addition of unoccupied cars at the rear of trains with its heritage stainless steel equipment was recommended by the third-party engineering firm it hired to conduct inspections. The move — to provide protection in case trains collide — was made […]

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Athearn Maxi-III five-unit articulated well car

Drawing of red articulated well cars

Maxi-III five-unit articulated well car Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $159.99 Era: 1988+ to 1994+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: 33” and 38” solid nickel silver wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf couplers Injection-molded plastic body Improved metal bolster for added weight Minimum […]

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Rail Development Corp. joins RailPulse

Logo of Rail Development Corp.

PITTSBURGH — Rail Development Corp., the Pittsburgh-based company which includes part ownership of the Iowa Interstate Railroad and a wide range of freight, logistics, and passenger operations in South America and Europe, is the newest member of the RailPulse coalition. RailPulse is working to bring widespread use of GPS and other telematics technologies to the […]

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Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car from Wm. K. Walthers Inc.

Model of red intermodal well car

Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $44.98 Era: Mid-2000s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Gunderson rebuilt all-purpose 53-foot well car features: Carries 20- to 53-foot intermodal containers Etched-metal see-through walkways Heavy die-cast metal body Body weld line details Factory-installed wire grab irons, brake gear, […]

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Smart-equipment efforts — telematics — face differing expectations

Freight cars near sunset

FORT WORTH, Texas — There are plenty of barriers to be faced in equipping the U.S. freight car fleet with telematics, the use of GPS equipment and other sensors to provide real-time information about car location and all sorts of additional information. One is just getting all parties to agree on the benefits, and what […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 8 – Rolling stock rendered ragged

Model Railroader Video Plus Week 8

The turntable build gets temporarily tabled, but David still has plenty of projects to keep him busy in the basement. Today’s effort involves roughing up a set of On30 gons to make the sides of the car look worn and ragged from heavy use. Even David is amazed how realistic the results of his technique […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 15 — He’s back!

Model Railroader video Plus Underground Week 15

David welcomes back (virtually) MRVP’s Gerry Leone for another episode from the basement bunker! This time the two of them address a few viewer questions and comments, share several tips and tricks, and even chat a bit about projects to come! Plus, David also takes a closer look at the interior of his On30 caboose […]

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MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 11 — A virtual guest

Model Railroader Video Plus Underground Week 11

David has a guest? A virtual guest, that is. But he’s certainly no stranger to MRVP! By way of virtual meeting software, Off The Rails host Gerry Leone checks out the Underground action, lets us know about his new layout progress, and even offers up a great tip. […]

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