In the early 1950s, two E8s ease New York Central train 24, the Knickerbocker, out of St. Louis Union Station at the start of the train’s journey to New York. Wayne P. Ellis photo […]
NYC’s Knickerbocker departs St. Louis
Tag: Passenger/Transit
Operation North Pole train returns to Metra
CHICAGO — For the first time in six years, the Operation North Pole train for seriously and terminally ill children and their families is set to operate on Metra on Dec. 20, with Metra and Operation North Pole encouraging area residents to come view the train to show support for those on board. The train […]
Amtrak mechanical issues hobble departing Chicago trains
CHICAGO — More evidence of the toll Amtrak’s aging locomotive and passenger car fleet is taking on operations was provided in recent days when long-distance and regional trains were canceled or suffered hours-long delays, most shortly after leaving Chicago. The common thread? Problems with electrical head-end power. On Monday, both the westbound California Zephyr and […]
Toronto opens Finch West light rail line
TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission has opened its newest rail transit line, the 10.3-kilometer (6.4-mile), 18-station Line 6 Finch West. The light rail line launched service on Sunday, Dec. 7, offering connection to TTC’s subway Line 1 (University-Yonge), 30 TTC bus routes and other regional transit systems. Regional transit agency Metrolinx says in a […]
3rd Rail Models VIA Rail Canada P42
It was a sad day when those 1950s E7, E8, and assorted FP units reached the point where they were clearly reaching the end of their operational life. Their long car bodies and gentle curved noses symbolized North American passenger train travel. Both EMD and General Electric offered replacement models with varied results. The best […]
Metra launches online merchandise store
CHICAGO — Metra will open an online merchandise store on Wednesday, Dec. 10, offering Metra-branded merchandise such as replica station signs, T-shirts and hoodies, and mugs and water bottles. It is the first time the commuter rail operator has offered such products for sale. “This new store is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen […]
SEPTA, TWU reach agreement, averting transit strike
PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract, averting a strike the union had said was imminent. “I am very pleased that we were able to settle without a strike,” TWU Local 234 President Will Vera said in a statement today (Dec. 8). “… Patience was […]
News & Products for the week of December 8th 2025
News & Products for the week of December 8th 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 December 8th, 2025. […]
Seven billion reasons for Amtrak to rethink its Superliner plan: Analysis
Amtrak should be asking itself a $7 billion question about the future of its long-distance trains. Should it spend that Bipartisan Infrastructure Law windfall on nearly 600 new bilevel cars that would replace aging Superliner equipment — and continue with a problematic procurement process? Or would that money be better spent on a national single-level […]
IC’s original Green Diamond
Illinois Central’s first streamliner, delivered in 1936, was the Green Diamond, a fully articulated aluminum train built by Pullman-Standard and powered by Electro-Motive with a Winton diesel engine. It is pictured at 47th Street, Chicago, near the end of its regular run from St. Louis. Philip Korst Jr. photo […]
Agency pursuing Milwaukee-Kenosha rail service holds first meeting
RACINE, Wis. — A new agency leading a revived and revised effort to develop passenger rail service between Kenosha, Wis., and Milwaukee has been launched. The Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha (MARK) Passenger Rail Commission held its first meeting last week in Racine. The commission met Dec. 5 at Racine City Hall, the Racine County Eye reports, adopting […]
Sound Transit opens Federal Way Extension
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Sound Transit celebrated the opening of the 7.8-mile, three-station extension of its Link light rail Line 1 on Saturday, Dec. 6, marking the fifth addition to the Link system in three years. A ribbon-cutting at the new Federal Way Downtown station was followed by the beginning of service about 11 a.m., […]
