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All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Brightline West breaks ground on high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and Los Angeles

April 24, 2024

News, Passenger Rail

From press releasesLAS VEGAS – Brightline West officially broke ground Monday on the first true high-speed rail system in the U.S. connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. The 218-mile system will be constructed in the middle of I-15 and is based on Brightline’s vision to …

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Metra is charging into a greener future with order for Stadler battery-powered trainsets

Chicago’s Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority last week approved a contract to buy zero-emission, battery-powered train sets. Metra will be among the first in the nation to operate this innovative technology. Metra’s Board of Directors approved the contract with Salt Lake City-based …

February 27, 2024

U.S. railroads get needed relief with reopening of key international crossings, boost in combined rail traffic

UPDATED Jan. 11, 2024 – December brought needed relief to the U.S. railroad industry with the reopening of two key international border crossings and a surge in combined rail traffic to fuel a fourth-quarter rally. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced just before Christmas …

January 2, 2024 / Updated January 11, 2024

Surface Transportation Board takes next step toward adopting latest proposed reciprocal switching rule

By TIM BLACKWELL/Cowcatcher Magazine The Surface Transportation Board has begun weighing comments from shippers and railroads regarding a proposed rule that would give rail customers access to reciprocal switching as a remedy for poor service. STB unanimously voted in September on The Notice of Proposed …

November 9, 2023

Current Issue: May/June 2024

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VIBRANT FUTURE

A G-scale train weaving in and out of foliage, across rocky terrain and over bridges spanning water features in the backyard is a sight to behold. Yet it ranks behind its smaller counterparts. The NMRA lists the scale behind the more popular HO, N and O, respectively. Some say G-scale, which was introduced in the 1960s, doesn't have enough staying power, but many believe the future is vibrant. The scale is appealing to families in hopes of encouraging younger generations to get involved.

CSO KEEPING THE NE CLEAN

The Connecticut Southern Railway is moving plenty of waste in and out of New England, setting the pace in a growing commodity segment - transporting America's refuse to landfills by rail. 

BRUSHING UP ON THE SANTA FE

Well-known railroad artist John Winfield is using the canvas to help raise money for restoration of a Santa Fe No. 93.

PLUS

With its flexibility in design, Walthers' N-scale Modern Lumber Transload is a good fit for the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad. Also, JL Innovative Design has new owners who are expanding the company's product offerings; 'common sense' drives the Federal Railroad Administration's final rule on train crew size; a former Milwaukee zoo locomotive returns home and more!

Miss an Issue?

If you'v missed the first two issues of 2024, don't worry! You can order back issues with just a few clicks. We have limited copies of the March/April and January/February issues, so hurry!.

March/April 2024

2024 State of Model Railroading

Since 2019, Cowcatcher Magazine has been taking the pulse of the model railroad industry with its annual survey, and this year is no exception. Readers decide what's good and not so good about the hobby, and we present the results in the 2024 State of Model Railroading survey in the January/February 2024 issue. Make your vote count! Find out how here.

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Article & Photo Submissions

We encourage readers to submit articles and photos. For details, visit our guide here.

Product News & Review

Rapido Trains HO NSC Bulkhead Flatcar

The Cowcatcher reviews Rapido Trains' newly released HO-scale 66-foot Bulkhead Flatcar. Check out other Product Reviews as well as Product News.

Railroad in Focus

Cowcatcher Magazine periodically features short lines and regional railroads that roam the U.S. rail network. Features include color photographs and maps, as well as an overview of operations and latest business trends. See here the railroads we've focused.