Q What happened to the permanently coupled two business cars, the “Virginia” and the “Carolina,” that the Southern Railway provided for its president and chairman?— Bob Sewell, Marysville, Wash. A The Virginia (NS 1) and the Carolina (NS 2) have been paired since they were built in 1928. Pullman originally constructed them for Southern Railway. […]
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Waiting on go
An Amtrak AEM7 rests between assignments at Washington Union Station on Jan. 14, 2009. Those motors don’t stay idle for long, and soon enough she’ll be racing along at up to 135 mph. Photo by Matt Van Hattem […]
Kato USA HO scale Metra equipment
Kato HO scale Metra equipment Instantly recognizable to Chicago-area railfans and commuters, the Metra paint scheme now adorns Kato’s HO scale Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel-electric locomotive and Pullman-Standard bi-level coaches. The diesel is newly detailed to match the Metra prototype as it appeared in the 2000s. Model Railroader first reviewed the F40PH and Pullman bi-level […]
Walthers HO scale SD9 diesel locomotive
Walthers HO scale SD9 diesel locomotive A classic six-axle road switcher has returned to the WalthersProto line. The HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD9 features a dual-mode QSI Quantum sound system, railroad-specific details, and wire grab irons. Electro-Motive Division produced the SD9 from January 1954 through June 1959. During that time, 471 units were built. The […]
CVP Products T5000E wireless Digital Command Control throttle
CVP Products T5000E wireless DCC throttle A new, easy to use wireless Digital Command Control throttle is available from CVP Products. The model T5000E replaces earlier models with improved range, battery life, and ease of use. I tested the throttle on our HO scale club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, which is already equipped […]
Atlas N scale trash equipment
Atlas N scale trash equipment Price: Combo: $44.90Car only: $24.95 ($19.95 for undecorated). Containers: $19.95 (four-pack). ManufacturerAtlas Model Railroad Co.378 Florence Ave.Hillside, NJ 07205www.atlasrr.com Era: late 1970s to present Road names (multiple road numbers): USA Waste, Allied Waste, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CIT Group, East Carbon – DSEX, ECDC, Florida East Coast, General American, Joseph […]
Tangent Scale Models HO covered hopper
Tangent Scale Models HO scale covered hopper If you’re into prototype accuracy, the Pullman-Standard PS2-CD 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper is right up your alley. This ready-to-run HO scale model from Tangent Scale Models features railroad-specific hatch covers, jacking pads, running boards, crossover platforms, brakewheel housing and clevis, brake system, and brake wheel, among other items. Pullman-Standard […]
ExactRail HO scale Gunderson gondola
ExactRail HO scale Gunderson gondola Price: $22.98 ManufacturerExactRail251 West River Park Dr., Ste. 300Provo, Utah 84604 www.exactrail.com Era: 1965 to 1990s Road names (three numbers each):Southern Pacific (repaint), Chicago & North Western, CSX, Missouri Pacific, Penn Central, St. Louis Southwestern, Union Pacific, undecorated kit ($21.95) Comments: This distinctive high-side gondola is a replica of a […]
The doctor’s appointment
Horseshoe Curve, 1940: Freight on track 1, passenger on track 2, smoke from a train climbing on track 3 or 4. H. W. Pontin You could not avoid liking my uncle, Matthew McGrail. Matt was a medical doctor in Bradford, Pa., by profession, but he was a full-time rail enthusiast. He befriended many crews of […]
AM radio antenna
It may look like a tiny handrail, but this is actually an AM antenna installed on some 1940s-era passenger cars. Michael Belcher Q What is the pipe on part of the roof of some 1940s-era diner and lounge cars as shown in Michael Belcher’s photo on page 90 of the April 2011 issue?— Randall Keils, […]
Track signs
The black-and-white sign with dots tells the plow operator to raise flanges prior to crossings, switches, etc. Greg McDonnell Q What does a whiteboard sign with black circles mean? It’s near grade crossings and sometimes has one black circle, and sometimes two.— Mike Cough, Kemptville, Ont., Canada A That board (which can also be black […]
The Kittatinny Mountain Railroad
Name: Kittatinny Mountain Railroad Size of railroad: 35′ x 20′ Scale: 1:22.5-1:24 Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Era: Early 1900s Theme: Logging Age: 3 years Power: Track power Length of mainline: About 90′ Maximum gradient: 2% Type of track: Aristo-Craft brass Minimum radius: 612′ Structures: Scratchbuilt Control system: Aristo-Craft Train Engineer Website: http://kittatinnymountain.blogspot.com Download a PDF […]
