Model steam locomotive troubles and how to fix them: Compiled by John Page, Editor of the Model Railroader, in 1952. Many of the tips here address problems with open-frame motors and direct-current operation. However, many of the same gear and wheel-quartering issue still apply to locomotive models in any scale and manufacture. Model steam locomotive […]
General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper in N scale from Athearn Genesis Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $39.99; two-pack, $69.99 Era: 1957+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper features: Factory installed wire grab irons and brake piping […]
American Car and Foundry 50-foot boxcar from Moloco Trains Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: 1971+ (Varies by paint scheme) Manufacturer: Moloco Trains, info@molocotrains.com, www.molocotrains.com American Car and Foundry 50-foot boxcar features: Prototype-specific cushioned or non-cushioned versions Car number specific handbrakes Prototype specific American Car and Foundry draft gear design Multiple versions of door […]
Arriving in hobby shops now is the Athearn HO scale General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. The newly tooled model features a variety of railroad-specific details. Road names offered on the first run of the six-axle road locomotive are Canadian National (red, white, and black with “wet noodle” herald); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (warbonnet); […]
ScaleTrains has released a second run of its HO General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive. The modern six-axle road unit is decorated for Canadian Pacific (with and without Lord Strathcona’s Horse stencil), Citirail (silver, blue, and yellow), CSX (armed forces, first responders, and law enforcement schemes in one road number each), Ferromex (original red, white, and […]
In this article we’ll look at five ways to clean track. If you want to get a lively debate started amongst model railroaders, ask them the best way to clean track. Some prefer abrasive blocks, like the Bright Boy, while others turn to any number of cleaning solvents, homemade or commercial cleaning cars, or off-the-shelf […]
Let’s look at some different types of tunnels. In the real world, tunnels are incredibly expensive to build and maintain. Prototype railroads would only dig a tunnel when there was no other way through or around an obstruction like a mountain, a river, or a built-up city. However, some types of tunnels are often necessary […]
Q: I’m going to scratchbuild a two-track telltale for both of my tunnel entrances. I have a couple of questions. How are railroad telltales made? What material did the railroads use? For a double track, would there be one long bar or two separate bars with the telltales on them? – Wes Barteck A: I […]
Meet David Popp What was your first train set? With a dad and grandfather both into model trains, I was surrounded by model railroading from an early age. The first train I can remember that I was given was a colorful plastic version of what we would now call Brio trains. It had silver-colored plastic […]
Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot plug door boxcar from Athearn Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.99. Add $5 for Prime for Grime models. Era: 1977+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com FMC 50’ boxcar features: Separately applied grab irons, end ladders and brake wheel Photo-etched cross-over platform 33” […]
Cody helps a reader identify the correct fan configuration on an SD45. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer […]
Cody helps a reader identify the correct fan configuration on an SD45. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer […]
