HO scale New York Central layout

HO scale New York Central layout

This is a 45 second video of Dave Neuser’s HO scale New York Central layout set in the summer of 1953. He recorded it to showcase the backdrop buildings for the company he’d bought them from. He mixed all the separate sound effects on his Adobe Audition including the horn, the dogs barking, the birds, […]

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Milwaukee’s Trainfest, 2021 WGH shows cancelled

Garden Railways

Citing concerns over the COVID-19 virus, promoters of Milwaukee’s Trainfest have cancelled the November 2020 show. Additionally, there will be no World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows in 2021. In a release to the industry, WGH showrunners noted many municipalities and venues aren’t allowing events involving large gatherings. WGH shows typically draw 15-30,000 people, making […]

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Remembering Texas & Pacific Railway freight trains

A black and white photo of ten-Wheeler 352 locomotive on the track with steam coming out of its chimney

All this month — June 2020 — Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and images of the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include TP diesel- and steam-powered freight trains through time. You might also enjoy this […]

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In memoriam: Kevin O’Connor

Kevin O'Connor

E. Kevin O’Connor, 1939-2020   Kevin O’Connor passed away on May 30, 2020, in Sacramento, California, age 80. Born Eugene O’Connor in Long Island on September 8, 1939, he later gave himself the middle name of Kevin, which is the name by which his friends knew him. Kevin’s working life was spent in the military. […]

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MTH Trains’ Wolf sets 2021 end date for company

Model Railroader

M.T.H. Trains President Mike Wolf has announced his May 2021 retirement and the subsequent closure of the company after 40 years in business. “It is, therefore, with mixed emotions that I tell you I have decided to retire in 2021 and close the business,” he said in a June 8, 2020 letter to the industry. […]

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Hartland Locomotive Works halts train production

Model Railroader placeholder image

Large-scale model railroad equipment manufacturer Hartland Locomotive Works has ceased production, possibly for good. The Laporte, Ind. company posted a letter May 28 on its website stating it has ceased train production due to difficulties in its overall business and the Covid-19 virus. It has been part of the hobby for more than 25 years. […]

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New model trains for the week of June 11, 2020

Red fowler boxcar

See the latest model railroad products in HO, N, and O scales! HO scale locomotives General Electric P42 diesel locomotive. Amtrak (phase 2 heritage scheme in two road numbers, phase 3 scheme in four numbers, phase 4 heritage scheme in one number, and phase 5 scheme in four numbers) and VIA Rail Canada (Renaissance paint […]

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In memoriam: John “Jack” Ozanich, 1943-2020

Man in snowy scene with ride on steam locomotive.

John “Jack” Ozanich of Paw Paw, Mich., died on May 29. He was 76 years old. Jack’s well-known HO scale Atlantic Great Eastern layout was featured in Great Model Railroads 2005. In that same issue he shared the story of his 3-3/4” scale Sandy Ridge & Clear Lake Ry. that operated through 29 acres around […]

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