Alstom will build 47 new diesel multiple-unit passenger trains for use on passenger routes under construction in Mexico, the company has announced. The order of 33 long-haul and 14 short-haul trainsets will be built for the Mexico City-Querétaro-Irapuato and Saltillo-Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo corridors under a Dec. 15 decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation. […]
Wm. K. Walthers Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of model railroad products based in Milwaukee, Wis., recently announced that it’s sponsoring the Pacific Southern Ry., an HO scale model railroad club in Rocky Hill, N.J. “We’re pleased to support the Pacific Southern Railway and help elevate awareness of model railroading,” said Stacey Walthers Naffah, president […]
While it is impossible to summarize the rail industry’s year in a single article, there were certain key stories and themes worth highlighting. Given the amount of material, let’s get right to it. Some of these stories will be addressed in greater depth in the Top 5 stories of the year countdown that begins Saturday, […]
CALGARY, Alberta — The CPKC Holiday Train raised more than Ca$2 million and collected more than 175,000 pounds of food for food banks during its 2025 operating season, which concluded Dec. 21. “Year after year, the CPKC Holiday Train proves that generosity and community spirit know no bounds,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a […]
WASHINGTON — Led by a significant decline in carload volume, U.S. rail traffic experienced a hefty drop for the week ending Dec. 20. Figures from the Association of American Railroads show a total of 487,138 carloads and intermodal units for the week, down 7% from the same week a year earlier. That includes 206,674 carloads, […]
Athearn has released a new run of Electro-Motive Division FP45 diesel locomotives in its HO scale Genesis line. The six-axle unit features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and McHenry plastic scale couplers. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the FP45 in 1967 and 1968. During that time, 14 units were built, nine for […]
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak has turned down a private company’s proposal for a transcontinental passenger train that would have included an auto-carrying feature. WPMT-TV reports that Amtrak said in a statement that it reviewed the proposal from AmeriStarRail and “found it to be lacking a fundamental business case to support its lofty proposal.” Earlier this […]
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s legislature has passed a rail regulation bill including a two-person crew requirement for trains carrying hazardous materials, as well as a limit on the length of such trains. The bill is now on the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy to sign or veto. The legislation — A4460 in the Assembly […]
Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Set, $799; separate-sale Business Class cars, $139 each Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set features: One powered direct-current locomotive with working, directional light-emitting-diode headlights and marker lights; operating ditch lights and number […]
Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale Milwaukee Road rebuilt SD10 diesel locomotive. Originally built as an EMD SD7, this 1,800-horsepower road switcher features see-through etched-metal steps, a detailed cab interior, and a signature Horst paper air filter. Equipped with an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, the model offers functions […]
Amtrak intercity trains carried more travelers at higher prices in 2025 than in previous years, but the company managed to set those records with a depleted, aging passenger car fleet, accompanied by numerous mechanical failures that caused lengthy delays and train cancellations. Here’s a review of key passenger news. Some topics will be examined in […]
WASHINGTON — In a move with the potential for significant impact in the rail industry — and one certain to be felt by railfan photographers — the Federal Communications Commission this week announced a blanket ban on new foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, or drones. The ban also covers foreign-made drone components, but does not affect […]
