Lineside Details under new ownership

The logo for Lineside Details against a navy blue background

Tennessee Valley Custom Models has been acquired by new ownership. In addition, the manufacturer has a new name, Lineside Details. In a press release shared with the editors of Model Railroader, Michael and Elizabeth Thidemann announced their acquisition of the Atlanta-based scale signage producer and distributor. “We’re excited to continue providing high-quality signs to help […]

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Specially wrapped locomotive part of NJ Transit observance of Autism Acceptance Month

Blue electric locomotive with multicolored infinity sign on front and sides

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is recognizing Autism Acceptance month with events including wrapping one of its locomotives to promote acceptance, and featuring station announcements recorded by neurodiverse children. “NJ Transit is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming transit system that reflects the diverse communities we serve,” NJ Transit Board Chair Fran O’Connor said […]

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Young Guns in Preservation: Christopher Schmidt

Selfie of individual in front of a trolley

Wisconsin’s East Troy Railroad Museum garners an impressive volunteer base. Many are young individuals with a keen interest in preserving and operating the 7-mile, electric interurban line, along with its collection of trolleys and streetcars. Those volunteers made a lasting impression on 31-year-old Christopher Schmidt, who now wears multiple hats for the organization by volunteering […]

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Overnight dreams — Lunatrain targets the Northeast: Analysis

Rendering of one-person sleeping compartment on train

Second of two parts Two companies, Dreamstar Lines and Lunatrain, are seeking to revive U.S. interest in overnight train travel, noting the resurgence of such trips in Europe. Part one of this analysis (available here) looked at Dreamstar, which is focused on service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Today, part two looks at Lunatrain, […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2

Screen capture of video with orange and black HO scale diesel and title bar in lower left corner.

The Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2 recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road switcher and Milwaukee Road No. 363; points out the many prototype-specific details on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on our review sample, which […]

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Trackage rights in the timetable era

Scan of a railroad employee timetable with town names, times, train numbers, and other information.

Q: I’m currently planning a layout that features several railroads, including a mythical short line that has to use running rights with the larger railroads. How would these running rights work in regards to timetables and train orders? And how would clearance cards be issued? Would there be a clearance card issued by each road, […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2

Screen capture of video with orange and black HO scale diesel and title bar in lower left corner.

The Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2 recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road switcher and Milwaukee Road No. 363; points out the many prototype-specific details on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on our review sample, which […]

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B&O Museum puts spotlight back on American Freedom Train 1

Red, white, and blue steam locomotive with flags in front of towering passenger station

Has any class of homebuilt, remanufactured mainline steam locomotive ever performed as brilliantly as the Reading T-1 4-8-4? Given the long lives of four from its illustrious class of 30 engines, I’d say no. I came to this conclusion during a recent visit to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, which has announced that ex-RDG […]

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