NJ Transit unveils renovated River Line trainset

TRENTON, N.J. — NJ Transit has unveiled the first renovated trainset on its light rail River Line, featuring a revamped interior and an engine overhaul as part of the ongoing effort to improve the service between Trenton and Camden, N.J. The diesel trainset built by Switzerland’s Stadler has been wrapped to mark the 250th anniversary […]

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Analysts express some skepticism about UP-NS merger claims

Elevated view of meet between container train and train of empty coal gondolas

Industry analysts speaking at a RailTrends webcast on Thursday (Jan. 8, 2026) were skeptical about some of the claims Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern make in their merger application, including its central theme that the $85 billion combination is fundamentally about volume growth. Independent analyst Rick Paterson noted that UP and NS volumes have been […]

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Oxford, Ohio, advances plans for new stop for Amtrak’s Cardinal

Amtrak logo.

OXFORD, Ohio — The city of Oxford is advancing plans to build a new station to be served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, with the city council having approved plans for a station platform and authorized an agreement with CSX for land for the platform. WUXU Radio reports design for a multimodal facility, also including bus service, […]

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Trains.com Exclusive Layout Extra | Mini Modutrak N scale Display at Trainfest 2025

Explore even more of the incredible world of mini Modutrak, as presented at Trainfest 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Host Gerry Leone catches up with Mark Runyan, as he represents this unique collective of N scale (1:160) modelers and shares some of the stunning features of the modular display. This assembly of “Jack of all trades” […]

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Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service gains capacity for namesake season

NEW ORLEANS — Amtrak is adding a coach to one of the two Mardi Gras Service trainsets beginning today (Friday, Jan. 9) to accommodate anticipated additional demand sparked by the Carnival season along the Gulf Coast. Three coaches are being assigned to morning train No. 23 out of Mobile, Ala., and evening No. 26 from […]

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Kentucky awards almost $3 million for rail infrastructure projects

Logo of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Paducah & Louisville Railway, R.J. Corman, and Norfolk Southern are among the recipients of funding from the Commonwealth of Kentucky for grade-crossing safety projects, part of almost $3 million in funding awarded under a pair of grant programs by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Projects on the three railroads were among seven […]

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Ohio commission awards $1.9 million for grade crossing projects

Logo of the Public Utiliities Commission of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four short line or regional railroads will receive funds totaling $1.9 million for four grade crossing improvements following approval Wednesday, Jan. 7, by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The Ann Arbor Railroad received the maximum available, up to $500,000, from the state Grade Crossing Projection Fund for a project to upgrade […]

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The Baltimore & Ohio Ridgely Division layout in HO scale

A track plan for the main level of the Baltimore & Ohio ridgely division layout

Facts and features Name: Baltimore & Ohio Ridgely Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: extension: 8 x 8 feet, entire layout: 20 x 28 feet Prototype: Baltimore & Ohio, Western Maryland Locale: central West Virginia Era: 1967 Style: around the walls Mainline run: NA Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: none on main […]

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First Northlander trainset unveiled

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The Government of Ontario today celebrated the arrival of the first of three new Siemens trainsets built for the revival of Northlander passenger service, introducing the equipment at a press conference featuring Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The Northlander is more than a train,” Ford said during the […]

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Alstom workers at Plattsburgh, N.Y., ratify new contract

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Workers at Alstom Transportation’s factory in Plattsburgh, N.Y., have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, following their earlier vote to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The three-year agreement includes an immediate 3% pay raise over a 2.8% increase already received in April 2025; a classification system with increased […]

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The Union Pacific Geneva Subdivision layout in HO scale

The track plan for the Union Pacific Geneva subdivision layout

Facts and features Name: Union Pacific Geneva Subdivision Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 25 feet Prototype: Union Pacific (ex-Chicago & North Western) Locale: West Chicago Yard to Clinton, Iowa Era: late summer 2000-2005 Style: multi-deck walk-in Mainline run: approximately 210 feet (not including helix or staging) Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum […]

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SEPTA making progress in Silverliner repairs

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is making progress in federally mandated repairs to its Silverliner IV fleet, meaning Regional Rail passengers could soon see an end to the overcrowded conditions that resulted from that equipment being sidelined. The news site Billy Penn reports that SEPTA has now received the thermal wire it needs […]

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