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Marklin has just announced a great Fall New items program and there are some models that require urgent attention in terms of a pre-order for MHI items.

In the Marklin MHI program, the stock # 39761, has a very low and strict allocation number for each MHI dealer. This Class 01.10 in a steel blue color scheme w/silver bands and super water heater will no doubt be a striking addition to anyone’s collection.

Marklin usually produces two Insider Club models a year, but this year, we have a third! (New trend?). The staff at Marklin Works in Gyor, Hungary restored this 2-axle work-horse to all its former glory and as a result, the models had to be made. You can pre-order this under Marklin stock # 38280 and for Trix Club members, stock # 25725. Of course, this is completely new tooling in highly detailed metal construction. There is also a matching 2-piece Hungarian freight car set, stock # 47227 to go with it and for Trix Club members, stock # 24191.

Finally, Marklin is producing the UP Class 3900 Challenger Steam Locomotive, stock # 39913 in a striking 2 tone gray color scheme. This is available in Trix under stock # 25913. Of course, she has to pull something and Marklin is producing a matching, 4-piece Coach Set w/Interior LED lighting and for the first time, 3 axle boogies. Beautiful coaches with many detailed features.

In the regular Fall Items program, the following are particular highlights;

Swiss Museum Train, stock # 26141. The famous French 141.R is pulling 3 Swiss Passenger Coaches. This museum train is used by the railway museum in Brugg, Switzerland for occasional excursions.

The Netherlands get a New Class 1100 Electric Locomotive as a Museum Model. This is completely new tooling as well. Marklin version is stock # 38111 and Trix, stock # 25111.

In 1 Gauge, a Masterful version of the Class 18 Steam Locomotive, stock # 55178, in an authentic aged weathering scheme by ‘Becasse Weathering’. This will come with a hand-signed certificate from them. These are extremely limited.

In MiniTrix, the MHI V90 Diesel Locomotive is coming with Telex Uncouplers, Stock # 16312.

In the regular program, Denmark is getting the Class MY 1100 Diesel locomotive, stock # 16960. This is completely new tooling as well with an all-metal body/chassis. Highly detailed with extensive sound and light features.

In LGB, they are producing the DR Class 99 Steam Locomotive, as the WEIBERITZTALBAHN. The Weisseritx Valley Railway hosts special events throughout the year, but for Christmas they of course do a Special Christmas Train. This special locomotive, stock # 21486 will come with all the standard sound and smoke features, but in addition, a mountable Christmas tree and Christmas music. Of course, one needs to pull coaches and LGB is getting 2 SDG Passenger Coaches w/’Raised Arch Roofs’ for the first time. You can find these coaches under stock # 31390 and 31391.

The final announcement, with Marklin/Trix Club members getting the ‘Marklin Works Diesel Locomotive in Gyor’, this just had to be made for LGB collectors as well. You can find this under stock # 21120. This is as well, completely New Tooling! The model is highly detailed with extensive sound and light features as well.

In summary, well-done Marklin! Of course, there are many other new items not touched on here but you can view the entire program by following the Fall New Item links. Enjoy and Happy Ordering!

The Marklin factory certainly made an astounding group of new items to promote at the 2026 Dortmund International Model Festival!

Starting with a new Class 66 Diesel Locomotive promoting the 2026 Dortmund Festival, stock # 39071. This was followed by  a Class 101 express locomotive with a special design for the Wacken Open Air (W:O:A®) music festival 2026.   Marklin models, 39476 for HO; 88666 for Z; T25476 for Trix and a Starter Set for LGB-70505! 

Finally, to literally shock the 1 Gauge World, Marklin celebrates with 'The Giants of the Gotthards', Ae 8/14 in all era versions! These will be found under stock # 55814 through 55819! These full metal beasts with incredible detailing to fully operational pantographs range in weight from 27-29 lbs! 

These are all a One-Time Release for the Dortmund International Model Festival, so production will be limited.

April is all about exciting new models that ROCO and FLEISCHMANN will be presenting for the first time at Intermodellbau Dortmund.

A particular highlight of the 2026 ROCO range is the Class 477 steam locomotive, better known as the “Parrot”.

Furthermore, a cohesive range is not a coincidence for ROCO, but a standard we expect from ourselves – which is why we are all the more delighted to welcome the Czech company EL-HO as a strong exclusive partner in the model railway market for the first time. Together, we are bringing the “Rybak” type passenger carriages to life as models. In addition to the direct-sales versions from EL-HO, we will be offering a 4-piece set as the perfect complement to the Class 477.

Fans of modern traction are not left out either: for enthusiasts of modern railways, a new Vectron from the Austrian company Cargoserv is joining the range. As announced in the 2026 novelties, all Interregio enthusiasts can look forward to new items; our last edition sold out in no time.

There’s also something striking from FLEISCHMANN: due to high demand, the ÖBB’s ESC advertising Taurus is now also available in 1:160 scale.

For the second time in a month, Union Pacific dispatched a fire train from Sparks, Nev., to fight a wildfire along their tracks outside of Reno.  

The Floriston Fire broke out before 11 a.m. Wednesday, about nine miles northeast of Truckee, Calif., and adjacent to UP’s main line over Donner Pass. The fire train was sent out later that afternoon. 

Crews use hoses on a UP fire train to douse the landscape arond the tracks as the Floriston Fire burned nearby. Photo by Nick Stewart. 

The train was led by one locomotive and had three tank cars containing water, along with a platform car for a crew. The tank cars were outfitted with hoses and the platform car was equipped with cannons that allowed a crew to douse flames with water along the right-of-way.

As of Wednesday evening, the fire burned more than 600 acres and was five percent contained. Freight and passenger train traffic continued as normal while crews fought the fire. 

UP sent another fire train up their former Western Pacific branch line north of Reno last month to help contain the Hawk Fire. —Nick Stewart

Freight and passenger train traffic continued as normal while crews fought the fire. Photo by Nick Stewart. 

The post UP Sends Fire Train To Douse Flames On Donner appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

New York Central L-3a 4-8-2 “Mohawk” 3001 left the National New York Central Museum in Elkhart, Ind., on September 15, bound for Fort Wayne, where it will be restored to service after decades on display. 

The steam locomotive was being moved over Norfolk Southern rails behind that road’s NYC heritage unit, SD70ACe 1066. It was unclear when the locomotive would arrive in Fort Wayne.

The 3001 is the largest surviving NYC steam locomotive and the only member of the L-3a class to escape the scrapper’s torch. The locomotive was under the care of the City of Elkhart, Ind., and has been on display at the National New York Central Museum for decades. In October 2024, FWRHS launched an effort to restore the locomotive for use on its popular Indiana Rail Experience excursions. 

FWRHS owns three other steam locomotives, most notably Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 765, which it has operated since the 1970s. For the last few years, it has managed the Indiana Rail Experience, an excursion operation on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, which has trackage in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Much of that track is former NYC, meaning locomotive 3001 will be right at home. NYC 3001 will also join the fleet of seven Budd streamlined cars built in 1941 for the NYC “Empire State Express” and purchased from Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in 2023.

According to FWRHS, a mechanical evaluation of the locomotive has been performed by FMW Solutions with financial support from former Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. The group estimates that it will take $4.3 million to restore the locomotive to operation. Donations can be made online at AmericanLoco.org. FWRHS is also encouraging people to join its pledge list.

—Justin Franz 

The post ‘Mohawk’ on the Move appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.