Meet Hal Miller, Q&A with the Editors

Hal Miller

See this interview with Hal Miller, Editor of Classic Toy Trains magazine. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: So, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another Q&A with the Editors. I’m so pleased to have Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller. How are you today? Hal Miller: I’m […]

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Ask Trains.com compilation February 2023

AskTrains compilation February 2023: An image of Cody Grivno in a modeling workshop

Ask Trains.com compilation February 2023: In this new format for Ask Trains.com, Cody addresses reader questions in a half-hour long compilation! Questions touch upon different topics, including passenger train car order, realistic scenery modeling, the famed Lionel designer Anthony Castellucio, and more! Cody is joined by guests from Classic Toy Trains, Trains Magazine, Fine Scale […]

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The N scale Adamsville Branchline layout

Facts & features Name: Adamsville Branchline Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-3″ x 3′-6″ Prototypes: Freelanced Locale: New England Era: Steam-to-diesel transition era Style: Island Mainline run: 13 feet Minimum radius: 9.5″ Minimum turnout: No. 4 Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: 1 x 2 open grid Height: 8″ Roadbed: Cork Track: Atlas code 80 flextrack Scenery: Cardboard […]

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The Gulf & Pacific Railroad layout in HO scale

Facts & features Name: Gulf & Pacific RR Scale: HO (1:87) and HOn3 (HO scale, 3-foot narrow gauge) Size: 20 x 24 feet Prototypes: Freelanced Locale: Generic Era: Early 1960s Style: Shelf Mainline run: 180 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (branch and spurs) Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (branch and spurs) Maximum […]

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What coal hoppers are appropriate for 1968?

What coal hoppers are appropriate for 1968? Is it prototypical to operate a coal drag with hoppers of mixed length and capacities? I've collected a somewhat mixed portfolio of hopper cars for my circa 1968 layout, ranging between 50 and 100-ton capacity.

What coal hoppers are appropriate for 1968? Cody discusses coal hoppers prototypical for a readers 1968 layout. 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 […]

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Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives?

Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives?: Since most locomotives are equipped with RailView cameras to record activity in front of a train, has there ever been any consideration given to side-mounted cameras or back-up cameras on engines?

Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives? Cody discusses locomotive-mounted cameras, their purpose, and whether or not railroads have considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives. 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 […]

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Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives?

Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives?: Since most locomotives are equipped with RailView cameras to record activity in front of a train, has there ever been any consideration given to side-mounted cameras or back-up cameras on engines?

Have railroads considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives? Cody discusses locomotive-mounted cameras, their purpose, and whether or not railroads have considered side-view or backup cameras on locomotives. 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 […]

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How are repairs performed in remote areas?

How are repairs performed in remote areas?: When a derailment occurs in an isolated area where there are no roads or other ways of access, how does the railroad get the equipment in to make repairs, remove damaged cars, etc.?

How are repairs performed in remote areas? Cody discusses how railroad repairs are performed in remote areas following derailments, where road access can be limited. 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 […]

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How are repairs performed in remote areas?

How are repairs performed in remote areas?: When a derailment occurs in an isolated area where there are no roads or other ways of access, how does the railroad get the equipment in to make repairs, remove damaged cars, etc.?

How are repairs performed in remote areas? Cody discusses how railroad repairs are performed in remote areas following derailments, where road access can be limited. 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 […]

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How is plywood shipped by rail?

I currently model in HO scale and have made several scale 4x8 sheets (stacked) of plywood. I use them as scenery on various parts of my layout. I place them as boxcar loads, but was wondering if plywood was in fact shipped in boxcars, or were other types of railcars used?

How is plywood shipped by rail? Cody discusses how plywood is shipped by rail. Looking to learn more about how lumber is transported by rail? Read Jeff Wilson’s The Model Railroader’s Guide to Industries Along the Trakcks, Vol. 4, available from the Kalmbach Hobby Store. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, […]

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How is plywood shipped by rail?

I currently model in HO scale and have made several scale 4x8 sheets (stacked) of plywood. I use them as scenery on various parts of my layout. I place them as boxcar loads, but was wondering if plywood was in fact shipped in boxcars, or were other types of railcars used?

How is plywood shipped by rail? Cody discusses how plywood is shipped by rail. Looking to learn more about how lumber is transported by rail? Read Jeff Wilson’s The Model Railroader’s Guide to Industries Along the Trakcks, Vol. 4, available from the Kalmbach Hobby Store. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, […]

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