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Providence & Worcester train NR-3, a weekday turn between Plainfield, Conn., and Worcester, Mass., is northbound at Wauregan, Conn., on March 20, 2014. The train has B39-8s Nos. 3906 and 3905 for power. Photo by Gerald Aubin […]
The Wisconsin & Southern, affectionately known as the “Whizzer” to local railfans, whizzes through Waukesha, Wis., on June 2, 2014. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]
Garratt Locomotives Reprinted by Heimburger House Publishing, 7236 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130; 36 pages, 50 illustrations; softcover, 11.5 x 8.5 in.; $18.95 Heimburger House has published this reprint of a 1920s-era Beyer, Peacock & Co. Garratt locomotive catalog. To North American eyes, the Garratt is an unusual-looking machine, but the fact that […]
Rock Island Requiem: The Collapse of a Mighty Fine Line By Gregory L. Schneider University Press of Kansas, 2502 Westbrooke Cir., Lawrence, KS 66045; 392 pages, 26 photos; hardcover, 6.125 x 9.25 in.; $37.50 This impressive volume chronicles the long, sad decline of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and illustrates how federal regulation […]
The Ligonier Valley Rail Road by Robert D. Stutzman Arcadia Publishing, 420 Wando Park Blvd., Charleston, SC 29464; 128 pages; softcover, 6.5 x 9.25 in.; $21.99 Pennsylvania is known today for having more than 50 shortline railroads within its borders, most of which are castoff segments of the Class I railroads. In the 19th and […]
The Twilight of Steam: Great Photography from the Last Days of Steam Locomotives in America By Brian Solomon Voyageur Press, 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401; 192 pages, 128 b&w photos; hardcover, 12 x 10 in.; $50.00 More than 50 years after the last steam engines ran in revenue service, the fascination […]
Mark Buccini In the August 2014 issue, Mark and Vince Buccini wrap up a three-part series on building a simple DCC system. This part explains how to program and install a locomotive decoder. Cut-and-paste the code for the decoder here or download the attached .txt file. And don’t miss parts one and two (April and […]
In the August 2014 issue, David Bodnar shows us how to program a Picaxe to make realistic signal lights. Cut-and-paste the code here for six different projects. Program 1: A simple crossing signal #TERMINAL 4800 ‘set the speed of the terminal SYMBOL LED1 = b.2 ‘pin 11 SYMBOL LED2 = b.4 ‘pin 9 SERTXD (13,10,”Crossing […]
In the August 2014 issue, Bob Santos shows us an easy way to make signs for your buildings using decals. Bob has compiled a sheet of sample signs for you to download! […]
To elevate or not to elevate? That is the question we address while deciding on a style for our garden railway. Proponents of the “box” style like to raise the trains closer to view and say they don’t have to bend over so much, but it may surprise you to know that plenty of folks […]
Dave Goodson 1:29 scale, gauge-1 trolley car Bachmann Industries 1400 E. Erie Avenue Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $419 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com Mostly plastic model of a Los Angeles Transit streetcar (#91702); also available: Toronto, (#91703), Chicago Surface Line (#91704), Baltimore Transit (#91701); single-end car; all-metal gears; two powered trucks; all axles powered; DCC ready; working trolley […]
Kevin Strong Ballast/binder mix Locomotion Works 205 Mountside Drive Columbus NC 28722 Price: 2 gallons, $29.95; 5 gallons, $59.95; +s&h Website: www.locomotionworks.com Stone ballast mixed with binder for permanent outdoor use Pros: Prototypical appearance; easy to apply Cons: Track must be on a solid foundation for best results—binder has insufficient strength to hold track solid […]
