The HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio New River Subdivision layout

The track plan for a large model railroad layout

Facts and features Name: Chesapeake & Ohio New River Subdivision Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 19 x 24 feet Prototype: C&O New River Gorge and coal mine area Locale: Thurmond, W.Va. Era: 1957 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 102 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (24″ in Waynes-burg Mine wye) Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: 1∕8″ per foot […]

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Charlotte-area voters back sales tax increase for transportation plan

Map of rail line between Charlotte and Mt. Mourne, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in Mecklenburg County, N.C., on Tuesday (Nov. 4) approved a 1% sales-tax increase to fund a transportation plan, including a commuter rail line. The Charlotte Observer reports that the referendum approved by a 52%-48% margin is expected to raise more than $19 billion over 30 years. The measure requires 40% of […]

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Cleanup continues following CPKC derailment near Kamloops

Aerial vew of derailed railroad cars, including some in lake, and equipment deployed to contain spilled fuel.

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia — Approximately 80,700 liters of aviation fuel (about 21,320 gallons) was spilled as a result of the Nov. 1 derailment of a CPKC train along Kamloops Lake, British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Parks says in its latest update. An official told the local news site Castanet Kamloops that the leading theory […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

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Metra to operate Holiday Trains on five routes; tickets on sale Nov. 17

Holiday decorated F40PH-3

CHICAGO — Tickets go on sale Nov. 17 at noon for Metra’s annual Holiday Trains, to operate on five of its routes in December. The specially decorated trains featuring holiday characters will operate on the Metra Electric, BNSF, Milwaukee West, Rock Island, and Union Pacific Northwest lines. The Metra Electric trips will also feature a […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic again below 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remained below 2024 levels for the week ending Nov. 1, 2025, the fourth straight week below previous-year figures. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 496,928 carloads and intermodal unites, down 3.9% from the corresponding week a year ago. That figure included 227,209 […]

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Dauphin Rail Museum shelters VIA Rail passengers

Streamlined passenger train stopped at station.

DAUPHIN, Manitoba, Canada — At 101 First Ave., N., stands the former Canadian Northern Railway station built in 1912. Often called “Manitoba’s most beautiful station,” the building is of the Château style and is covered in local Tyndall stone. The Dauphin Rail Museum occupied the baggage room, telling the story of the region’s railroads. Outside, […]

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LA’s Metrolink sets annual Holiday Express trains

People in pajamas or holiday clothing waiting to board train

LOS ANGELES — Tickets are now on sale — and some are already sold out — for Metrolink’s annual Holiday Express trains, set to operate during three December weekends at sites in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. The trains feature round trips of approximately 75 minutes, featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, […]

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Atlas HO scale EMD SD35

Color photo showing nose of HO scale six-axle hood unit painted bright green and white with black graphics on white background.

Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $189.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $294.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Detailed cab interior with crew figures Die-cast metal underframe Five-pole skewed […]

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‘Cameron Christmas Train’ returns to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan

For the second consecutive year, Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Little River Railroad, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will play host to the Cameron Christmas Train, a three-day tour of northeastern Indiana, southeastern Michigan, and western Ohio set for Nov. 20-22 to mark the holiday season and deliver gifts to families along the route. The […]

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Ticket sales begin for Winter Park Express; service starts Dec. 19

Passenger train in snow with people waiting to board

DENVER — Amtrak’s Winter Park Express ski train will return for the 2025-26 season on Dec. 19, albeit with slightly fewer days than were offered when operations were expanded a year ago. The train will operate total of 57 days this season, and will run four days a week — Thursdays through Sundays — beginning […]

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