Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Cody Grvino starts a multi-part series on custom-decorating an HO scale EMD SW8 diesel switcher. Follow along as he shows how to add a variety of etched-metal, cast-resin, and white-metal casting detail parts before applying his favorite Minnesota Northern paint scheme. […]
Q: Can you tell me what the train in the movie, “3:10 to Yuma” consisted of? — Frank Latorre, Baltimore A: Regarding the question of the origin of the railroad equipment on both versions of “3:10 to Yuma,” from the website, Obscure Train Movies, I found this information on the original 1957 3:10 to Yuma: […]
Q: Do train crews have the ability to activate or deactivate crossing lights and gates? — Richard Collingwood, Milan, Ohio A: No. Here’s why: Crossing circuits have set approaches based off of warning time required and maximum speed of the trains. The modern day crossing processors — mini computers inside a crossing gate bungalow (the metal […]
Q: One reader recently asked why there were so many empty container trains heading away from the East Coast on railroads? Could it be the West Coast receives more loads and container trains need to be repositioned? — A Trains reader A: That East/Eest balances is one source of empty moves, but there are other […]
An eastbound BNSF Railway train passes a stopped BNSF freight at “Summit” in California’s Cajon Pass in 2013 — this meet is one of several conditions which might require a locomotive bell to be sounded. Trains staff Q: What are the rules concerning when a train should ring its bell at a crossing or elsewhere? […]
Name: Georgia Northeastern RR Layout owner: Thomas Klimoski Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9′-2″ x 10′-6″ Prototype: Georgia Northeastern RR Locale: Georgia Era: present-day Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 36 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: open grid Height: 54″ Roadbed: cork Track: Micro Engineering code 70 Scenery: extruded-foam insulation […]
Union Pacific’s restored no. 4014 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive recently roared into America’s Dairyland, and MRVP (Jenny, Kent, Ben, Diane, and David) wasn’t about to miss it! Enjoy a quick look at this massive, majestic machine steaming across the Wisconsin countryside. […]
A photo of a big boxy freight load, likely a wind turbine nacelle. Submitted by Mark Faust Q: Saw a whole CSX Transportation train of these in Sullivan, Ind. What are they? — Mark Faust, Carmel, Ind. A: The photo you submitted resembles a wind turbine gearbox nacelle, and is probably what the train was […]
A Series 6 Talgo trainset is examined after 125-mph operation at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., in 1998. Bob Johnston Q: In the Sept. 2019 Passenger column on Page 18, I see that a Series 6 Talgo locomotive is leaning while being inspected. Was that tilt normal? — Robert Muckey, Williamson, N.Y. A: […]
Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this track plan. Name: CSX Philadelphia Subdivision Layout owner: Bruce Friedman Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 42 x 56 feet Prototype: CSX Locale: Philadelphia to Baltimore Era: modern day Style: multi-deck walkaround Mainline run: 1,000 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.25 […]
Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Chama Yard Layout owner: Kim Nipkow Scale: HOn3 (1:87.1, 30″ gauge) Size: 1m x 10.5m (40″ x 34′-5″) Prototype: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR Locale: Chama, N.M. Era: present day Style: modular Mainline run: no main line Minimum radius: 55mm (21.6″) Minimum […]
In May 2019, MRVP’s Ben Lake traveled with Trains magazine editors to capture the Union Pacific Big Boy’s historic first run after years of restoration. Tag along as Ben chases No. 4014 from the UP steam shops in Cheyenne, Wyo. to Carter, Wyo. in this MR Video Plus exclusive! […]
