What is the hopper car from the December 2021 issue?

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Cody addresses a covered hopper car in the December 2021 issue of Trains magazine. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors […]

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Choosing a modeling scale

Photo of modern passenger units in five scales

Q: I want to get back into model railroading, but I’m stuck on choosing a modeling scale. I don’t know whether to go with HO or N. Please give me the pros and cons of each. – John Sala A: Choosing a modeling scale is one of the most consequential decisions a modeler faces, right […]

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Does the Amtrak Downeaster require two engineers to back up?

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Cody addresses the Amtrak Downeaster in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]

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How do I build a layout swing gate?

A section of a train layout built on a swinging gate stands open, giving access to a home furnace behind it

Q: On page 45 of the Nov. 2022 issue, a swing gate is shown as part of Mark Carlson’s Chicago & North Western layout. It looks like a marvelous way of avoiding duckunders, lift bridges, and other methods of entering an around-the-room layout. Are there any alignment problems or inherent sagging issues of which builders […]

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How do you evaluate the price of model trains?

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Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

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Are the Hammerhead and Western Maryland RS3s similar?

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Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

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Should I use bottled gas as airbrush propellant?

Canned airbrush propellant, an airbrush, air hose, and accessories on a white background

Q: Is using bottled gas as airbrush propellant better than my Paasche air compressor? And what kind of gas should I use: CO2, nitrogen, something else? – Joseph Zawoiski A: Hi, Joseph. Since you already have an air compressor, I would keep using that. A compressor, equipped with a regulator and a moisture trap, is […]

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Where is the issue where roadbed was tested?

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Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

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How do you identify Australian reporting marks?

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How do identify Australian reporting marks Are there any books that show and identify Australian railway reporting marks? Using his resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on model railroading or full-size railroads? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of […]

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Questions on decorating Baltimore and Ohio diesels

A blue-and-yellow Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive is seen in 3/4 angle

Q:  I have two questions on decorating Baltimore and Ohio diesels. I would like to know what color the fuel tank, air reservoir, and trucks were on a B&O GP7. Second question, what type of horns did these locomotives have, and where were they placed on the locomotive?– Barry Geiger A: The Baltimore & Ohio […]

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Are you planning an interlocking towers special edition?

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Interlocking towers Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the […]

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What is an abandoned railroad?

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Abandoned railroads In railroad operations, what is an abandoned railroad? If a railroad abandons a part of its line, does it still physically own the right-of-way? But who owns the right away when the tracks go away? Using some online resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions […]

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