Amtrak cancels Empire Builder, thins Midwest departures in advance of winter storm

Amtrak Midwest regional train traveling with heavy snow cover on ground

CHICAGO — With a massive winter snowstorm sweeping into the Midwest from the northern plains this week, Amtrak is canceling some trains out of Chicago to and from Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Pontiac, Mich., on the day the brunt of the blizzard is expected. The same trains also won’t run this Saturday and Sunday, when […]

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Colorado Model Railroad Museum Display in HO scale

In this visit to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum’s 10,000 square-foot building, you’ll get to explore the HO scale (1:87) model railroad that’s open to the public year-round (visit CMRM.org)! Based on an obscure prototype railroad routing about the Pacific Northwest in 1975, the main display features long trains, museum-quality scenery, captivating animations, and a […]

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Colorado Model Railroad Museum Display in HO scale

In this visit to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum’s 10,000 square-foot building, you’ll get to explore the HO scale (1:87) model railroad that’s open to the public year-round (visit CMRM.org)! Based on an obscure prototype railroad routing about the Pacific Northwest in 1975, the main display features long trains, museum-quality scenery, captivating animations, and a […]

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The Great Northern layout in N scale

The Great Northern layout in N scale

Facts & features Name: Great Northern Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10-0′ x 16-0′ Prototypes:  Freelanced Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: Mid-1960s Style: Walk-in Mainline run: 86 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Benchwork: Modified L-girder Height: 46″ Roadbed: Commercial foam roadbed Track: Micro Engineering code 55 (main), Peco code 80 (staging) Scenery: Extruded-foam insulation […]

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Empire Builder fights weather, congestion, track issues

Passenger train with two blue locomotives with red trim

MINOT, N.D. — With winter storm warnings in effect across the northern plains from a windy, frigid blast that has already barreled through the Sierra Nevada and Colorado mountains, there is always the possibility that service on Amtrak’s long-distance network will be disrupted. As was the case during a blizzard last month [“Westbound Empire Builder […]

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Delays to Sound Transit’s East Link light rail to impact other expansion projects

Map of eastern extension of Sound Transit light rail system

SEATTLE — Sound Transit’s East Link light rail line to Redmond, Wash. — which had been slated to open next year — may not be fully completed until 2025. The transit agency will consider opening a portion of the line in 2024 at an upcoming board meeting. But the delay in opening the East Link […]

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Opening of Tacoma light rail project to be delayed

Tacoma_Streetcar_Lassen

TACOMA, Wash. — Opening of the Hilltop Extension of Sound Transit’s Tacoma light rail line will be delayed for a second time, the agency said Thursday, pushing opening of the 2.4-mile addition close to a year behind schedule. The Urbanist website says the project had originally been scheduled to open in May 2022, but had […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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The American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel

American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel

The American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel was first cataloged in S gauge in 2012. The current offering appeared in the 2022 catalog. This time around the train maker is offering locomotives decorated for Norfolk & Western, Santa Fe, Clinchfield, Baltimore & Ohio, Virginian, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania, and Northern Pacific. […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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Spokane Valley, Wash., gets final $5 million for BNSF grade-crossing project

BNSF Railway logo

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The community of Spokane Valley has gained the last of the funding it needs for a $38 million grade crossing project with the announcement the Washington State Department of Transportation will contribute $5 million toward an underpass for Pines Road at its intersection with the BNSF main line. The Spokane Spokesman-Review […]

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Washington short line receives funds for track work

Logo of Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The 33-mile Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, owned by Clark County, Wash., and leased to two operators, will receive $4.7 million in state funding for line rehabilitation work, the Columbian newspaper reports. The first $1.5 million will improve the 14-mile section between Vancouver and Battle Ground, Wash., leased to the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad, […]

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