Action on the Mesabi Range

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A Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-2 has hold of a caboose at Rainy Junction, Minn., on the Mesabi Iron Range in August 1950. An Oliver Iron Mining RS2 diesel works in the distance. Henry J. McCord photo […]

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Chicago intercity passenger terminals

Aerial view of brick passenger station alongside river

Having six intercity passenger terminals at one time, and that doesn’t include the electric interurbans, is a muscle flex to Chicago’s claim as the nation’s railroad capital. That is also why former Trains and Classic Trains Senior Editor J. David Ingles made regular visits to document whatever was left, prior to Amtrak’s formation in May […]

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Built by Others: Adam Palmer’s San Juan Central Version 2

A model railroad layout assembled at a convention center

Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader and its related products. Malcolm Furlow’s HOn3 San Juan Central layout first appeared in a multi-part series in the pages of Model Railroader between 1983 and 1984. Adam Palmer’s San Juan Central V2 […]

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News & Products for the week of March 10th 2025

A blue and white model lcocomotive

News & Products for the week of March 10th 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 March 10th, […]

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Lionel City of Miami train set

yellow and green model train on track

The City of Miami was a vibrant orange and palm green streamliner of the Illinois Central Railroad. Operating between 1940 and 1971, the train provided service from Chicago to Miami, and was powered by a single EMD E6 diesel locomotive. The first jaw-dropping feature of Lionel’s latest rendition of the set isn’t the locomotive  itself, […]

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Railroad bus service to New York City

People in street outside two-story building with Coca-Cola sign on roof

  There are standard-gauge tracks close by, but they can’t be seen here, since they’re underground in this neighborhood. We’re at Columbus Circle in New York’s borough of Manhattan, on Thanksgiving Day in 1951, Nov. 22. How can that be deduced? Well, that’s the famous Macy’s parade that’s passing down the street, complete with a […]

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Burlington Northern passenger trains

Streamlined diesel locomotive with passenger train in urban canyon

Talk of Burlington Northern passenger trains inevitably conjures visions of green E units toting bilevel stainless steel coaches at rush hour. But BN has history, albeit brief, with conventional intercity passenger service. This spanned from its March 1970 inception to the May 1, 1971, startup of Amtrak – just days less than 14 months.   […]

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The Green Bay Area Model Railroaders Club layout in HO scale

The track plan for the Green Bay Area Model Railroader Club layout

Facts and features Name: Green Bay Area Model Railroaders ClubScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 26 x 68 feetPrototype: Green Bay Western, Chicago & North Western, and Milwaukee RoadLocale: Fox Valley, northeast WisconsinEra: 1950 to 1976Style: walkaroundMainline run: 2,000 feetMinimum radius: 42″Minimum turnout: No. 8 on mainlineMaximum grade: 3%Benchwork: Open gridHeight: 423∕4” to 491∕2“Roadbed: corkTrack: Atlas code 100 […]

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The Wheeling & Lake Erie Ohio River Division layout in HO scale

The track plan for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Ohio River Division layout

Facts and features Name: Wheeling & Lake Erie Ry. Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 27 x 44 feet (in three rooms)Prototype: original W&LE Ry.Locale: southeastern Ohio, West VirginiaEra: 1957Style: linear walkaroundMainline run: 115 feetMinimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (industrial)Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (steel mill)Maximum grade: 1.75%Benchwork: shelf Height: 551∕2” to 571∕2“Roadbed: HO and N […]

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