In this installment, we’ll take a look at SCN Train 202, the Eastbound Perishable. […]
Operating the Santa Cruz Northern, Part 2
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Tips for better GarGraves track
Charles Angelo Irace GarGraves Phantom Line flexible track is manufactured with the middle rail chemically treated to a deep black color. The wood ties are also more realistic than the stamped-metal ones found on traditional track, but I like to paint the GarGraves ties to better resemble the creosote-treated ones found on real railroads. In […]
What are scale and gauge?
Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz This 1:20.3-scale figure may look right for this 1:32-scale locomotive but if you tried to put him into the cab you’d quickly realize your error. Marc Horovitz These three models are all of similar prototypes—3′-narrow-gauge boxcars. In the foreground is an early Hartford Products car in 1:24 scale; in the middle […]
New model trains for the week of April 16, 2020
HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division FP7 and F3B diesel locomotives. Western Pacific (orange, silver, and black paint scheme). FP7 (California Zephyr service with no wings on nose and freight service renumbers [white or black number boards], one road number each). F3B (California Zephyr service with square herald, one number). FP7 and F3B set (California Zephyr […]
April new products from Garden Railways magazine
Engines & rolling stock PIKO America, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego, CA 92120 has several new products, including a “mini-Mogul” (#38208). This budget-friendly engine is capable of being upgraded with the no. 36221 Analog Sound Kit or the no. 36220 Digital Steam Sound Kit for full-featured sound on DC or DCC. Price: […]
MTH Tinplate Traditions Standard gauge 4-4-4
Forget your prewar Standard gauge electric-outline locomotives. I don’t care how large or flashy or colorful those slab-sided toasters are, they can’t hold a candle to the King Salami of big trains – the No. 400E 4-4-4. The size, look, and color of this model set a standard in its day for power and authority. […]
S-Helper Service S gauge diesel freight starter set
Anyone who thinks that S gauge starts and ends with American Flyer should take a look at the S-Helper Service line. For years the crew at S-Helper Service has been in the vanguard of manufacturers rising above postwar levels of detail, regardless of train gauge. Out are the cast-in handrails and roofwalks; in are add-on […]
NMRA national convention and National Train Show cancelled
Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) has canceled the 2020 National Convention and National Train Show, which had been scheduled for July in St. Louis, Mo. As of yet there are no plans to reschedule. For more information, please see this announcement at the NMRA web site. […]
International Toy Train Expo canceled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, event organizer Menard’s has made the decision to cancel the International Toy Train Expo, which was to be held in July in Eau Claire, Wis. For more information see the official announcement on the Menards website. […]
Lionel O gauge track gang car
In popularity, the postwar Lionel gang car is exceeded by only the trolley car in terms of Auto-Pilot fun on the tinplate rails. Lionel’s release of the 1950s favorite lives up to its reputation. Both the gang car and trolley operate on the same concept. The car runs in one direction until it hits an […]
MTH Premier line O gauge BB3 Long Island
MTH brings us a B-class switcher. As Al Staufer noted in his book Pennsy Power, few electrified railways could dedicate electric locomotives simply to the task of switching cars. But the Pennsylvania Railroad, with its vast network of yards and terminals under wire, could. In 1926, the Pennsy’s Altoona, Pa., shops began producing these little […]
MTH Premier line O gauge EMD F7 A-B-A set
Cab units are a staple of O gauge model railroading. They are crowd pleasers and are updated every few years with new features or improvements. A corollary of that statement is the increased expectations on the part of hobbyists. The greater the level of detail you see, the more you expect. The better the low-end […]
