Jerome (Jerry) M. Williams, founder of Williams Reproductions, died November 1, 2016. He was born March 1, 1937. In 1969, he and Fred Mill founded Classic Models Corporation, producing new standard-gauge model trains. Several years later he parted with Mills to form Williams Reproductions Limited, which made reproductions of popular tinplate Ives and Lionel models. […]
Type of Train: Rolling Stock
Meet members of the Model Railroader staff at Trainfest 2016
Trainfest, America’s largest operating model railroad show, will be held on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, 2016, from 9 AM to 5 PM at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis. The show will feature more than 70 model railroad displays and more than 100 hobby manufacturers and […]
New model trains for the week of November 3, 2016

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD39 diesel locomotive. Andesite Rock Co. (Denver & Rio Grande Western scheme, two road numbers); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Boston & Maine (Guilford scheme); Southern Pacific; Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern (two numbers); and Progressive Rail (one number). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Factory-installed grab irons, Flexicoil-C trucks with […]
Quick Look: Moloco HO General American 50-foot insulated boxcar

Moloco HO General American 50-foot insulated boxcar Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Moloco 302-5025 Harvard Rd. Mississauga, ON L5M 0W6 Canada www.molocotrains.com Road names: Conrail, Milwaukee Road (Hydra-Cushion), Missouri Pacific, Rock Island, and Wabash. Four road numbers per scheme. Era: 1987 to late 1990s (as decorated) Comments: Moloco has released a new run of highly detailed HO […]
Skytop sleeper at Milwaukee

The Skytop sleeper-observation car of the Milwaukee Road’s Olympian Hiawatha, highlighted by plenty of windows and chrome trim, stands at Milwaukee early in the train’s Chicago–Tacoma run. Classic Trains coll. […]
Caboose Hobbies to reopen under new ownership
Caboose Hobbies, known as The World’s Largest Model Train Store, is now under new ownership and will move to a new retail location in the Denver, Co., metropolitan area. This announcement comes from the new owner Kevin Ruble via the Caboose Hobbies website at www.caboosehobbies.com. In August 2016, former owners Duane and Joanna Miller had […]
What happens when you crash-test a tank car NEWSWIRE

FULL SCREEN Kathi L. Kube The DOT-117 tank car is in position against the impact wall at the Transportation Technology Center. The trucks have been removed and the car is supported on skids. Above the car is a high-speed camera, which researchers will use to evaluate subtle details during the impact. The markers and grid […]
Metrolink files in court against cab car builder Hyundai-Rotem NEWSWIRE

LOS ANGELES — Metrolink is filing a lawsuit against Hyundai–Rotem, a passenger car builder, after allegations of faulty parts and a breach of contract and warranty. Metrolink spokesperson Sherita Coffelt confirms with Trains News Wire that Metrolink has filed suit against Hyundai-Rotem company in Los Angeles County Superior Court for allegations of “breach of contract […]
What is “HERZOG?”

Herzog freight cars are often seen in track maintenance and repair projects, such as this ballast train. Mike Yuhas Q I have seen private freight cars on the major railroads carrying the logo and letters for “HERZOG.” Who owns them and what do they carry? – L. Frank Herman, Springfield, Ill. A You likely saw […]
Alstom unveils hydrogen-powered train at InnoTrans

BERLIN — Touting its arrival as “a blockbuster; I think it will revolutionize the railway industry,” Alstom Chairman and CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge highlighted the company’s first train powered by hydrogen fuel-cell technology during a Tuesday press conference at InnoTrans, the world’s largest rail industry conference. As part of an overview of the state of his […]
New toy train products from the November 2016 issue of Classic Toy Trains

THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE IN O: Lionel has created a salute to both the American bicentennial celebration held in 1976 and one of the most famous locomotives of Lionel’s MPC-era. The no. 82427 Patriot LionChief Remote U36B diesel freight set is powered by a colorful U36B saluting Lionel’s no. 1776 Seaboard Coast Line. Also […]
Quick Look: Bachmann Trains N scale heavyweight coach

Price: $79 Manufacturer Bachmann Trains 1400 E. Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 www.bachmanntrains.com Era: 1930s to 1980 Comments: Looking to add a night train to your N scale passenger fleet? Bachmann Trains has released a ready-to-run N scale heavyweight coach with factory-installed overhead interior lighting. The model is an N scale version of the HO […]