Pacific Fruit Express class R-40-27 and R-40-28 ice cooled refrigerator cars are now available in HO scale from Rapido Trains. The models, offered for the first time in plastic, are scaled from prototype blueprints and field measurements. Product features include wire grab irons; prototype-specific brake wheel, running boards, and cooling fan housings; and body-mounted Lincoln-Washington […]
Combining Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern into the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. would create a 52,215-mile colossus that could offer seamless service from coast to coast, bypassing longtime interchange choke points in Chicago and at gateways along the Mississippi River. The two railroads confirmed today that they are in advanced merger discussions. The […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific reported record second quarter financial results this morning as surging coal volumes led the railroad’s traffic gains. “We are delivering on our strategy and our results demonstrate our commitment to leading the industry as we set new standards for safety, service, and operational excellence,” CEO Jim Vena told investors and […]
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed this morning that they are engaged in advanced merger discussions that would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. “There can be no assurances as to whether an agreement for a transaction will be reached or as to the terms of any such transaction,” the railroads said. UP and NS […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remains up after a brief dip in June, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending July 19, rail traffic totaled 506,882 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.6% compared with the same week a year ago. It is the third straight week […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX may not be out shopping for a merger partner, but the railroad will consider proposals that would raise shareholder value, improve service, and lead to profitable growth. “We know there’s been a lot of rumor and speculation about consolidation in the railroad industry in recent weeks,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has announced a pair of new domestic intermodal lanes, with new service linking the Pacific Northwest with Chicago as well as between Memphis and Dallas. On Saturday, UP will launch daily service from Tacoma, Wash., to its Global 4 terminal in Joliet, Ill., outside Chicago. “This service will be complementary […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX’s second-quarter profits slumped as unfavorable changes in traffic mix drove a revenue decline and costs rose amid congestion and detours related to a pair of main line outages. But executives said they were encouraged by the pace of the railroad’s operational recovery during the quarter, which produced improvements in on-time performance. […]
WASHINGTON — A Union Pacific conductor was seriously injured during a shoving move when the car on which he was riding sideswiped a trackmobile on an adjacent track, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its preliminary report on the June 23, 2025, incident in Lexington, Neb. The incident occurred about 12:33 p.m., and involved […]
News & Products for the week of July 21st 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 21st, […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak would have owed Canadian National $1.4 million for delays its passenger trains caused to CN freights last year under the CN’s proposal for a new operating agreement, according to a document filed with the Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday (July 22, 2025). The CN filing and one from Amtrak are in response […]
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and Union Pacific have reached tentative agreement on an interim 3% raise for BLET members while bargaining for a full contract continues. The union said in a press release that if ratified, the interim agreement would be effective Sept. 1 and provide the raise to […]
