As part of a Trains.com seasonal mini-series, this episode of “The Five Days of Christmas” highlights David Popp’s efforts to dust off a classic LGB train set—proving that even a 40-year-old engine can run like brand new! Join David as he dives into the essential maintenance, from reviving dull, oxidized track with specialized abrasive blocks to […]
The list of 2025 rail preservation happenings is long. There are many organizations working on numerous fronts and making significant progress toward preserving America’s railroad heritage. The past 12 months have seen new buildings open, steam locomotives fired up, and relics discovered. Narrowing down the list, here are 10 of the most significant 2025 rail preservation […]
FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen has joined the list of unions opposed to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. In an announcement today (Dec. 22), the union cited concerns about rail safety, impacts on workers, and “the concentration of market power” the merger would create. The union urged the STB to reject […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak could face problems in operating its NextGen Acela and Airo trainsets because some new maintenance facilities will not be completed in time, the Amtrak Office of Inspector General says in a new report issued today (Dec. 22). According to the report, if current schedules for those facilities hold, Amtrak will only be […]
OMAHA, Neb. — The 6,692-page merger application that Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted to federal regulators last week underscores the benefits of the first U.S. transcontinental merger, UP CEO Jim Vena says. Vena came to Union Pacific as CEO in August 2023 with a transcon merger on his to-do list — and has touted […]
CHICAGO — Railcar manufacturer FreightCar America has acquired parts distributor Carly Railcar Components, the companies announced today. Family-owned Carly Railcar Components, founded in 1995, distributes original-equipment components and operates a core-exchange program for remanufactured parts. Headquartered in Irwin, Pa., it also has a location in Orange, Texas. FreightCar America says the acquisition strengthens its aftermarket […]
Freight Car Class: Lesson 5, Special Weathering Effects | Go beyond basic airbrushing to create freight cars with unique character and standout detail! This lesson teaches advanced techniques for replicating paint chips, deep rust, and realistic scratches using a mix of acrylics, enamels, and oils. Learn to highlight molded details, simulate bare metal, and master […]
Rail transit had quite a year in the U.S. … and not in a particularly good way. Financial, equipment, and labor issues all played a part in making at a stressful year for transit operators. The combination of reduced ridership with the post-pandemic shift to more work-at-home opportunities, along with political divisions over funding, make […]
Trains’ annual review of the year’s top stories begins today, in a new, slightly abridged format. After several years of addressing the top 10 stories of the year, we’ve trimmed the list slightly. This year, we’ll be counting down the top five stories starting later this week; before then, we’ll take a look at significant […]
A holiday toy train photo gallery is just the thing to get you in the Christmas spirit. Please enjoy this selection of holiday-themed photos of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge (with some bonus N and large scale trains). If you have a photo you’d like […]
DENVER — With Gov. Jared Polis on hand for the departure, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express launched its 2025-26 season on Friday, Dec. 19. It was the first of 57 scheduled trips for the ski train through March 29. The train is operating three days a week for its first three weekends — Dec. 19-21, Dec. […]
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill that would have required two-person crews on New York City subway trains. Assembly Bill 4873, sponsored by state Rep. Monique Chandler-Waterman (D-Brooklyn), would mandate that all Metropolitan Transportation Authority trains of two or more cars have a conductor as well as an operator. […]
