KEARNY, N.J. — The cutover of traffic to the new Portal North Bridge on the Northeast Corridor in early 2026 could disrupt Amtrak and NJ Transit traffic for up to six weeks, according to NorthJersey.com. Some trains could be canceled or rerouted during that period. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said plans are being finalized […]
Atlas N EMD GP38-2 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $124.95 to $134.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $224.95 to $234.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N EMD GP38-2 features: 2,600- or 3,600-gallon plastic fuel tank as appropriate Body-mounted Accumate couplers Directional, […]
Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a closer look at the WalthersProto HO scale EMD GP7. Cody first explores the prototype history of the GP7, noting that Electro-Motive Division produced over 2,700 units between October 1949 and May 1954. The review sample is decorated as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 204, built in September 1951. The model […]
Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a closer look at the WalthersProto HO scale EMD GP7. Cody first explores the prototype history of the GP7, noting that Electro-Motive Division produced over 2,700 units between October 1949 and May 1954. The review sample is decorated as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 204, built in September 1951. The model […]
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has received a $100,000 grant from the State of Tennessee. The grant, administered by the Tennessee State Museum, is for capital maintenance and improvement projects. The museum will use the funds for additional improvements to its Grand Junction depot area. Specifically, the museum will fund three projects […]
It’s a cliché to refer to a decade as a “decade of change.” In the summation of our nation’s history, what decade wasn’t a decade of change? Change is perhaps the great constant of American history, and in many ways it is that forward-looking dynamism that keeps America at the vanguard of the international community. […]
BALTIMORE — Mark your calendar for 15 months from now. In February 1827 the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first common carrier railroad in the U.S. February 2027 is the bicentennial of U.S. railroading and the B&O Railroad Museum plans to celebrate with renovated and expanded facilities now under construction. The $38 million project […]
SAN FRANCISCO — “Operator fatigue” led to a September incident in which a San Francisco Muni light rail train ran through a stop and operated at high speed, jostling passengers who through the train was going to crash, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency said Monday. The train did not derail , but one passenger […]
In April 2024, Lionel announced a newly-tooled, ET44AC diesel-electric locomotive in a standalone catalog. This O-scale, 3-rail model was delivered in September 2025 and has received high praise. The ET44AC was produced by General Electric and is part of its Evolution Series. The locomotive is compliant with Tier 4 emissions standards, hence the “T” in […]
Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $319.99 Era: 1969+ to 2000+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Body-mounted […]
Trains Turntable: Commentary from Martin J. Oberman The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger continues to dominate the news as well as conversation at all gatherings — formal and informal — in the railroad universe. Unfortunately, because of a few unrelated actions in the political world, along with repeated spin by self-interested parties, there is a […]
Freight Car Class: Lesson 2, Upgrading Kits for Better Operation | In this lesson, David shares essential steps for upgrading your model’s operation and realism. First, you’ll learn how to use the NMRA recommended practice (ARP 20.1) to calculate the target weight for your car, and how to install a peel-and-stick weight to achieve that […]
