Former Kalmbach Publishing Co. president James J. (Jim) King died on July 20. He was 95 years old. Al Kalmbach hired Jim to serve as the company’s controller in July 1954. In 1963, he was named Kalmbach’s executive vice president. Two years later, he became company president, a position he held for 22 years. Jim […]
Type of Train: Rolling Stock
Old Pullman car on AirBnB lets enthusiasts, visitors sleep like a president NEWSWIRE
One Chicago-area family is now renting overnight stays in their circa-1906 Pullman car, the Constitution. “Amy” via Air BnB An interior view of a circa-1906 Pullman car once used by U.S. presidents. “Amy” via Air BnB PLANO, Ill. — A family in Illinois is letting their guests sleep like presidents aboard an old Pullman car […]
New products from the September 2018 issue of Classic Toy Trains magazine
BOOK ’EM JACKO: Give five-oh a prominent spot on your O gauge layout with the no. 279-4435 Police Plaza from Menards. The multi-story police station features a brightly illuminated entrance (guarded by, who else? Jack the police dog) and a rooftop helipad with police chopper. The roof has flashing red LEDs, and the helipad has […]
Amtrak dome car returns for fall trips in New England NEWSWIRE
Amtrak’s last remaining dome car will again see service on the Adirondack this fall, and will also spend time on the Downeaster. Amtrak NEW YORK — Amtrak’s last remaining dome car is again set to run on two routes during the fall foliage season in New England. Great Dome No. 10031, built in 1955 by […]
Metra to re-issue RFP for new railcars NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — After receiving only one response to its request for proposals for new coach cars, Metra said Wednesday it will issue a new RFP that it hopes will be more competitive and attract different, more modern designs. “I think we’ve had about 70 years of service from this design,” Metra Chairman Norm Carlson said […]
Bob’s Train Box: Episode 68
In the lazy crazy days of summer, Bob Keller of Classic Toy Trains has a slew of new toy trains and related products to share with you! […]
Bob’s Train Box: Episode 68
In the lazy crazy days of summer, Bob Keller of Classic Toy Trains has a slew of new toy trains and related products to share with you! […]
British vs. U.S. practices
A former London & North Eastern Class D49 4-4-0 displays the British-style method of securing the smokebox door and using buffers with couplers. Kenneth G. Williamson Q Why did British steam locomotives use a center-locking device on the smokebox and buffers with link and chain for car coupling? How did U.S. railroads do it differently? […]
Investigators question safety of Talgo equipment involved in fatal ‘Amtrak Cascades’ derailment NEWSWIRE
Steve Carter WASHINGTON – Investigators in a two-day hearing covering two recent fatal Amtrak derailments are questioning the safety of Talgo trains involved in one of the derailments. The equipment operates under a Federal Railroad Administration waiver. The derailment in December 2017 killed three and injured more than 60. It occurred on the first Amtrak […]
New model trains for the week of July 10, 2018
HO scale freight cars 50-foot single-sheathed boxcars. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (single steel doors and Dreadnaught ends); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (double steel doors and auto door end); Missouri Pacific (double wood doors and auto door end); Northern Pacific (double steel doors and auto door end); and Texas & Pacific (double steel doors and […]
Details and lessons from the Indiana Transportation Museum disaster NEWSWIRE
Nickel Plate Road 587’s boiler is set onto a truck at Noblesville, Ind., on Thursday. It will go to Kentucky for safe haven. Delay In Block/KSHC NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Triumph and tragedy are relative terms, but they seem appropriate for describing what’s happening this week in Noblesville’s leafy Forest Park, where preservation organizations are fighting […]
New model trains for the week of July 5, 2018
Electro-Motive Division GP50 diesel locomotive. BNSF Ry. (Heritage III, three road numbers), and Genesee & Wyoming (Indiana & Ohio and Toledo, Peoria & Western; two numbers each), Illinois Central (black, one number), and Union Pacific (four numbers). Roadnumber-specific details, light-emitting-diode headlights, and vinyl m.u. hoses. Direct-current model with 21-pin connector for Digital Command Control decoder, […]
