Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-6 1624 has cut off from its eastbound coal train to take sand, coal, and water at Thurmond, W.Va., in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
C&O Allegheny 1624
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
Missouri Pacific locomotives remembered
Missouri Pacific locomotives, both steam and diesel, display a variety typical of their era. The “MoPac,” as it was called, merged several railroads during the diesel era, notably the International-Great Northern and St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico in 1956, the Texas & Pacific (which it had long controlled) and Chicago & Eastern Illinois […]
Missouri Pacific’s I-GN Berkshire locomotives that didn’t make the cut
One of the fascinating aspects of being actively involved in firing and running steam locomotives was discovering that each one had its own personality. In the case of a class of engines, sometimes the entire group would demonstrate similar characteristics, but seemingly there would always be one or more in the class that were […]
0-4-0T in New Hampshire
Franconia Paper Co. 0-4-0T No. 3, built by Porter in 1917 for the Watertown (Mass.) Arsenal, putters about the paper company’s plant at Lincoln, N.H., in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
“Little” Mallet on the N&W
Norfolk & Western class Z1b 2-6-6-2 1480 is at Norton, Va., in May 1952. A decent-sized engine by most standards, the Z1 was small in comparison to N&W’s class Y 2-8-8-2s and A 2-6-6-4s. Ed Theisinger photo […]
7 ways to add more realism to your layout
Adding details that make a scene more interesting or increase operating potential can take your layout to a whole new leave of realism. Try one (or all) of the ideas listed below! Share your photos with us at editor@classictoytrains.com. Detail track and add lineside details Adding details to the right-of-way is an easy way to […]
Geared steam locomotives
Compared to their traditional reciprocating rod-driven counterparts, geared steam locomotives can be seen as “oddballs” to the casual eye. They certainly fit that bill with their unique styles of running gear consisting of cylinders positioned at different angles and connected to the drive shaft through a series of gears to ultimately power every wheel […]
Rio Grande 2-8-8-2s, compound and simple
Rio Grande 2-8-8-2 Mallet 3413 helps 2-8-8-2 3606, a newer, simple-expansion locomotive, up the Front Range of the Rockies with a 48-car freight at Pinecliff, Colo., in May 1940. J. W. Maxwell photo […]
Mid-Continent museum seeks funds for return of C&NW No. 1385
NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum has launched a fundraising effort to return its celebrated steam locomotive, Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385, to the museum to continue the effort to restore the 1907 Alco to operation. The locomotive, out of service for more than a quarter-century and away from the museum […]
Ma & Pa Ten-Wheeler at Towson
Maryland & Pennsylvania 4-6-0 No. 27 is being ferried north ahead of train 1’s gas-electric car at Towson, Md., in November 1953. James P. Gallagher photo […]
News & Products for the week of February 3rd 2025
News & Products for the week of February 3rd 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 February 3rd, […]
TV series’ donation matching boosts Western Maryland Scenic steam project
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Public TV series Great Scenic Railway Journeys has joined with the restoration effort for Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-8-0 No. 734, launching a $10,000 donation-match program for the restoration project. The program is offering a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000 for the effort to return the locomotive to operating condition. The 2-8-0, […]
