USDOT to withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago transit projects

Map illustrating new transit route.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday said it would withhold $2.1 billion in previously awarded for two Chicago Transit Authority infrastructure projects, citing a rule issued earlier in the week barring Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs for federally funded projects. The move is the second this week targeting major transit projects in locations […]

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Trains in the UK: A postscript

British freight train

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — It wasn’t the trip I wanted. Or planned. But you don’t always get to choose your experiences. And while I’m still tremendously disappointed to have missed the Trains/Special Interest Tours UK Celebration of Steam event — with its four steam excursions and visits to three notable rail museums — I’m trying to […]

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BLET ratifies new five-year contract with Union Pacific

Freight train crossing diamond after crossing bridge

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new five-year contract with Union Pacific by a wide margin, the union announced today. The agreement, which includes raises totaling 18.8%, compounded, over the life of the contract, covers almost 6,000 BLET members at UP. It was ratified by a […]

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Cando to acquire Houston rail terminal

Logo of Cando Rail & Terminal

Cando Rail & Terminals, one of North America’s largest owners and operators of first and last mile rail infrastructure, will acquire a 900-car storage, staging, and transload terminal in Houston. The Manitoba-based Cando will acquire the Channelview Terminal from Texas Deepwater Partners, the company said today (Friday, Oct. 3, 2025). “We are very pleased to […]

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Norfolk Southern claims Meridian Speedway service woes push freight to trucks

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern’s handling of Norfolk Southern intermodal trains on the Meridian Speedway — their joint venture shortcut linking the Southeast with Texas and the Southwest — has deteriorated to the point that some customers are shifting freight to trucks, NS claims in a letter to federal regulators. CPKC disputes this, […]

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The HO scale CN Central RR layout

A track plan for a large model railroad layout with three figures standing inside the layout

Facts and features Name: The CN Central RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17′-6″ x 31′-4″ Prototype: Canadian National, CN Central Locale: Wisconsin and Canada Era: 2010 to the Present Style: island walkaround Mainline run: 125′-6″ Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: Open grid box frame around door slabs, folding steel […]

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The Nickel Plate Road, St. Louis Division, Third Sub. in HO scale

A three level model railroad layout track plan

Facts and features Name: Nickel Plate Road, St. Louis Division, Third Sub. Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 24′-6″ x 60′-6″ Prototype: Nickel Plate Road Locale: west-central Indiana, east-central Illinois Era: fall 1954 Style: multi-deck Mainline run: 500 feet Minimum radius: 42″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 (yard), No. 8 (main) Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Benchwork: open grid; […]

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NJ Transit sets ‘Meet Our Rail Fleet’ event

Logo for NJ Transit "Meet Our Rail Fleet" ebent

HOBOKEN, N.J. — NJ Transit is partnering with three other organizations for a “Meet Our Rail Fleet” event — featuring displays of historical equipment and an opportunity to learn about careers with the transit agency — set for Sunday, Oct. 12, at Hoboken Terminal. The event — in conjunction with the United Railroad Historical Society […]

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Amtrak uses make-up equipment to avoid cancelling Empire Builder

Passenger train with two locomotives passing under signal bridge with Chicago skyline in background

CHICAGO — In a change from recent operations, Amtrak was able to put together a makeup trainset to prevent cancellation of the westbound Empire Builder that departed Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Significant long-distance train delays have often resulted in cascading cancellations for lack of equipment since Amtrak lost nearly complete Superliner sets to devastating […]

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Maintenance of way union praises former CSX chief executive

NOVI, Mich. — The union representing maintenance-of-way workers has penned a public letter of support for departed CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs, just days after SMART-TD general chairmen issued a statement critical of Hinrichs’ three-year tenure at the railroad. “Recent articles have painted Joe Hinrichs harmful to both rail labor and the railroad industry,” the Brotherhood […]

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Driver killed, three passengers hurt in California Amtrak grade crossing accident

Amtrak logo.

GUADALUPE, Calif. — The vehicle driver has died and three passengers were injured in a Wednesday (Oct. 1) collision between Amtrak’s northbound Coast Starlight and a tank truck carrying diesel fuel in rural Santa Barbara County The local website Noozhawk reports the incident occurred about 4:15 p.m., with Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck […]

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How do I find toy train part numbers?

Classic Toy Trains magazine logo

Thanks for the list of sources for parts in the Fall 2025 issue of CTT. I have nine prewar and postwar engines awaiting attention; I’ll need parts for some of them, and your list will be invaluable. But some sources don’t do searches for parts, which raises the question: Where do we find part numbers? […]

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