Kato USA N scale Amtrak intercity set Just in time for the 40th anniversary of America’s national passenger rail service, Kato USA is offering a sharp-looking, smooth-running Amtrak intercity express train set in N scale. The set’s General Electric P42 Genesis locomotive, Heritage baggage car, Amfleet lounge and coach, and twin Viewliner sleepers are decorated […]
This 55-ton twin hopper is a recent addition to the MTH line of HO freight cars. The model has a molded plastic body with a die-cast metal underbody, metal wheelsets, many add-on details, and knuckle couplers. Our sample was smoothly painted and neatly lettered.The prototype for this car was one of five standardized freight car […]
This graph shows the calculated drawbar horsepower curves for five classes in the first wave of 4-8-4s: Lackawanna Q-1, Canadian National U-2-a, Northern Pacific A, Santa Fe 3751, and Canadian Pacific K-1. Neil Carlson In the days of steam it was a normal practice to estimate the horsepower potential of a locomotive. Baldwin Locomotive Works […]
Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 4-8-4 No. 602, named Governor Thomas Jefferson, rushes an 18-car passenger train toward Washington, D.C., near Four Mile Run, Va., in June 1940. C. W. Whitbeck Back pressure Back pressure is caused by the resistance of the exhaust steam exiting the cylinders. Overcoming this resistance represents negative work done by the […]
Three Deseret Power Railway E60Cs begin the short but steep 2-percent descent into Coyote Basin near Bonanza, Utah, on July 8, 2009. David Honan Q How do you figure out the percent of the grade of a railroad track?— Richard Buckhold, Kirkwood, Mo. A Grades are expressed as the rise in feet per 100 feet […]
A Pandrol e-clip elastic rail fastener secures the rail to the tie, along with a type of hairpin spike. TRAINS: Kathi Kube Q How do Pandrol clips secure rails to concrete or wooden ties?— John Trifari, Sunnyvale, Calif. A The clips are made of spring steel and must be pressed into position by machinery or […]
Q I bought this key almost 20 years ago. I know it’s from the “Frisco,” but can anyone date it or explain the “S” stamp?— Rick Goodell, Etna, Maine A A plain “S,” like on the key shown, means it is a switch key. Early railroad switch padlocks and keys came in various styles, but […]
Most model railroaders get started in the hobby with a ready-to-run train set. These sets include a locomotive, cars, track, and a power pack. In these videos you’ll see members of the Model Railroader magazine staff showing you how to set up and run some recently released model train sets. Are you new to the […]
Learn how to set up and operate the Bachmann HO scale Durango & Silverton passenger train set. The ready-to-run train set includes a steam locomotive, passenger cars, track, and a power pack. […]
This large scale train set features a steam locomotive with an operating smoke unit. Learn how to set up this ready-to-run model train set that includes track and a power pack. […]
This HO scale passenger train set from PIKO includes a power pack an a lot of track, including two curved turnouts. Learn how to set up and operate this ready-to-run model train set with Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala. […]
This HO scale passenger train set from PIKO includes a power pack an a lot of track, including two curved turnouts. Learn how to set up and operate this ready-to-run model train set with Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala. […]
