SAGINAW, Mich. — Lake State Railway on Thursday (Aug. 21, 2025) unveiled a new heritage locomotive honoring the predecessor Pere Marquette Railway. Lake State Supervisor of Yard Operations Travis Vongrey, a second-generation railroader with the company, developed the concept and design for the “Spirit of Pere Marquette,” newly acquired SD70M No. 6437, one of eight […]
CHICAGO — A recent locomotive failure that stranded passengers on an Amtrak Wolverine train for more than five hours — mostly without light, air conditioning, or working toilets — was caused by a sensor problem that affects the fleet of 33 Siemens Charger SC44 locomotives used in Midwest state-supported service, according to a Michigan news […]
CHICAGO — Metra will add service on its most-used route, the BNSF Line, and make changes to two of its Union Pacific lines in September, the commuter operator has announced. On the BNSF Line between Aurora, Ill., and Chicago, the schedule effective Sept. 8 will include two new morning inbound express trains and two afternoon […]
In this episode of Spaces to Places, host Gerry Leone focuses on the final details of the yard and roundhouse area on his HO scale (1:87.1) Bona Vista model railroad. He begins by placing background buildings and uses a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees to cover a hole in the backdrop. After ballasting all […]
PLEASANT HILL, Mo. — Six passengers on Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner suffered minor injuries on Sunday (Aug. 18, 2025) when the train struck a trailer at a private grade crossing near Kansas City, the Missouri Highway Patrol reports. The collision occurred about 5 p.m. WDAF-TV reports the eastbound train struck a trailer loaded with hay […]
EAST TROY, Wis. — The East Troy Railroad Museum recently announced a $10,000 donation from the Canadian National Railway’s Community Giving Program. The funding will support vital infrastructure improvements, specifically the replacement of wooden ties along the museum’s main line between East Troy and Mukwonago, Wis. “This 7-mile line is the last remnant of an […]
WICHITA, Kan. — Santa Fe FP45 No. 93, donated to the Great Plains Transportation Museum by BNSF in 1999, is being moved to Mid-America Car in Kansas City, Mo., for a complete cosmetic restoration to its original Warbonnet paint scheme. The locomotive began its move on Sunday, Aug. 17, after nearly two years of fundraising […]
Watch David Popp demonstrate his technique for sliding into a scene — it’s a slippery slope, as he creates realistic rolling hillsides and drainage ditches using foam material and Sculptamold! Elsewhere on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout, Bryson and Cody showcase a new 3D-printed resin depot. All of that, plus […]
LOWELL, Wis. — Approximately 30 cars of a CPKC unit train of crude oil derailed today (Friday, Aug. 15, 2025) near the town of Lowell, with some oil believed to be leaking from the derailed tank cars, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. The derailment has led to service disruptions for Amtrak’s Empire Builder […]
Led by 1936 power unit 9905 Zephyrus, the Twin Cities Zephyr rolls down Second Street in La Crosse, Wis., circa 1939. The slow street running was an obstacle when competing with Chicago & North Western and Milwaukee Road for Chicago to Twin Cities traffic. Elden H. Hunter photo […]
Host David Popp continues to make progress on the roadway scenery he started in Episode 17 of the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout series. In this episode, David shares techniques for working with the foam material he selected to create sloped landforms along the inclined roadway. Then it’s back to the […]
WAUWATOSA, Wis. — CPKC’s main line across Wisconsin has reopened after being closed Satuday night by torrential rains, disrupting freight and Amtrak operations. Locations near Milwaukee reported as much as 14.5 inches of rain between Saturday evening and 2 p.m. on Sunday, according to WISN-TV. Wauwatosa, Wis., just west of Milwaukee, reported 7.15 inches; there, […]
