CSX coal train derails in Richmond, Va.

Derailed coal hoppers, some on their side

RICHMOND, Va. — Thirteen cars of a CSX Transportation coal train derailed in Richmond on Friday afternoon, reportedly sending some of the coal into the nearby James River. WRIC-TV reported the derailment occurred about 1:30 p.m. There were no injuries. Initial reports said the waterway was not affected, but drone footage on Saturday showed coal […]

Read More…

Ice reefer innovation

Freight car generator attachment

Ice reefer innovation Attaching a portable precooling motor (right) with a belt to the shaft extension on the generator enabled the ice-cooled car’s own fans to precool a load while standing still. This helped keep ice-cooled cars cold when loading. Preco photo […]

Read More…

Walthers Cornerstone HO scale Modern Suburban Station

Front of a modern train station with bollards lined out front.

If you’re in the market for a station to accompany a passenger line on your layout, this kit may be the perfect addition you’ve been waiting for. The Walthers Cornerstone HO scale Modern Suburban Station is a relatively quick and easy build, and the end result is a clean, modern station with lots of room […]

Read More…

How to clean old tubular track

Hand cleaning tubular track with old toothbrush

When it comes to buying used track, should you or shouldn’t you? While buying new track means a more pristine look, it also means more money. However, if you have the time, a more cost-efficient method is buying used track, since you can always clean it up to look like new. It only takes a […]

Read More…

Accurail HO twobay covered hopper kit

Accurail two bay covered hopper

Accurail, well-known for its line of HO scale freight car kits, has added a new model to its product range, the American Car & Foundry (ACF) 2,970-cubicfoot capacity two-bay Center Flow covered hopper. The injection-molded plastic car features a mix of molded and separately applied parts, two-piece pneumatic-gravity discharge gates, and Accumate couplers. Prototype background. […]

Read More…

Atlas HO General Electric Dash 8-40B

Atlas HO General Electric Dash 8-40B

Atlas is back with its General Electric Dash 8-40B, originally released in 2001. The new model is now available with an Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU) LokSound dual-mode decoder. General Electric (GE) built 151 Dash 8-40B locomotives in 1988 and 1989 for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Conrail; New York, Susquehanna & Western; St. Louis Southwestern […]

Read More…

George Campbell’s HO scale Campbell Road

Overview of track plan

The layout at a glance Name: Campbell Road Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11 x 30 feet Prototype: freelanced, Norfolk & Western, and Louisville & Nashville Locale: Cincinnati, Ohio, to Appalachia Era: autumn 1942-1945 Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 82 feet Minimum radius: 22″ (main), 18″ (sidings) Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Benchwork: open […]

Read More…

John Staschak’s O gauge layout

Track plan

Facts & features Name: John Staschak’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 12½ x 25 feet Track: GarGraves, Ross Custom Switches (diameters range from 31 to 96 inches) Switches: GarGraves with Tortoise and Z-Stuff for Trains machines Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH, 3rd Rail, Weaver Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, Model Crafters, MTH, Ralph’s Trains, […]

Read More…

Kusan “K” Series Boxcars

Kusan K Series boxcar

In the late 1950s, Nashvillearea toy manufacturer Kusan was making products that might be the epitome of the term “toy train.” Geared toward the entry level of the market, these items were colorful and affordable. The company’s “K” Series boxcars were produced between 1956 and ’60. They could be produced rapidly in the Franklin, Tenn., […]

Read More…