CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Chicago train wash is now active, as evidenced by the cars and locomotive of the company’s New York-Chicago Cardinal, seen here backing into the facility after its run on Monday, Oct. 6. The Cardinal emerged sparkling from its 2-mph splash, though a departing Metra train prevented photos of the result. The trainset […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern marked a major milestone last month when AC44C6M No. 4947 rolled out of the Juniata Locomotive Shop as the 1,000th unit modernized through its long-running DC-to-AC conversion program. The program, which began in 2015, completely rebuilds General Electric Dash-9 units and creates a more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more reliable […]
OWENSVILLE, Ind. — A Norfolk Southern engineer and conductor were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a derailment this morning in Owensville, Ind. Responding to an inquiry from Trains.com, Norfolk Southern said in a statement that the derailment occurred about 3 a.m. today (Oct. 8, 2025) and involved a locomotive and two railcars. […]
SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Surprise City Council has unanimously approved a resolution opposing BNSF’s plans for a logistics hub in Wittman, Ariz. At its Tuesday, Oct. 7, meeting, the council approved a resolution saying it “cannot support the development … unless it proceeds in a manner that clearly prioritizes public safety, quality of life, and […]
ATLANTA — The Central of Georgia Railway archive is now housed alongside the Southern Railway’s historical records at the Atlanta History Center, thanks to a $500,000 donation from Norfolk Southern. The funding will support the processing and preservation of the historical records, making them fully accessible in one location for the first time, the Atlanta […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed David Fink’s nomination as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. In a 51-47 vote along party lines, Fink was confirmed as part of a block of 107 nominees who had been awaiting confirmation. President Donald Trump nominated Fink in January. Trump said the former Pan Am Railways […]
Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99 to $229.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $319.99 to $329.99 Era: 1967 to mid-1990s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45 features: Body-mounted McHenry […]
Join Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and Service Repair Manager Savathdy My as they discuss the Lionel Trains LLC warranty program. Savathdy relays how contacting Lionel via talktous@lionel.com is the best path for the fastest service, which sets up an RA (Return Authorization) and prepaid label. When shipping, he encourages customers to use bubble […]
First of two parts ATLANTA — No matter how you look at it, Mark George had an eventful first year at the helm of Norfolk Southern — even setting aside the historic deal to create the first transcontinental railroad through a merger with Union Pacific. George was named chief executive on Sept. 11, 2024, after CEO […]
PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has made a $10 million offer to purchase about 60 miles of rail lines owned by the Luzerne County (Pa.) Redevelopment Authority — property currently the subject of litigation between the Authority and the county. Reading & Northern owner and CEO Andy Muller Jr. made the […]
Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $129.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van features: Clear window glazing Detailed, multi-color interior Detailed underbody with separate air and brake piping End details, including air hoses and uncoupling levers Factory-installed and […]
Lionel’s No. 520 Lionel Lines Boxcab Electric stands out among other postwar O-27 locomotives because there is so much about it that’s different from what you find on other models from that celebrated era of production. The 520 is far from scarce and so is commonly overlooked by avid collectors and operators of postwar trains. […]
