Athearn HO scale GP7 diesel locomotive The realistic rumble of a 567B diesel and an eye-catching paint scheme are but two of the highlights of this HO scale GP7 diesel-electric locomotive from Athearn Trains. Part of Athearn’s top-of-the-line Genesis series, the model features roadname-specific details and is available with a dual-mode SoundTraxx Digital Command Control […]
ExactRail HO scale FMC 4000 rotary-dump coal gondola Price: $22.95 ManufacturerExactRail251 W. River Park Dr., Suite 300Provo, Utah 84604www.exactrail.com Road names: RTIX – RTI RR Services (2 versions); Burlington Northern; Chicago & North Western; SEPX Southwestern Electric Power Co.; Union Pacific; and undecorated. Era: 1979 to present Comments: Modelers looking for an accurately detailed HO […]
BLMA Models HO scale F89-J flatcar Price: $39.95 Manufacturer BLMA Models 302 District Court Fullerton, CA 92832 blmamodels.com Era: 1991 to present day (as detailed)Modelers of modern-era railroading have had a couple of F89-F models to choose from, and now they can add an F89-J to their fleets. This accurate HO scale flatcar from BLMA […]
Monroe Models HO scale Soo Line standard first class depot Price: $99.95 ManufacturerMonroe Models1101 25th Ave. N.St. Cloud, MN 56303www.monroemodels.us Era: early 1900s to 1990s Comments: The Eden Valley Depot is the latest structure offering from Monroe Models. The kit features laser-cut basswood, micro plywood, fiberboard, and plastic parts, and includes cast-resin chimneys. The depot […]
Arkansas & Oklahoma B23-7 No. 4062 leads a train to interchange cars with Union Pacific in Oklahoma City. John Leopard Although General Electric B23-7s dominate the Arkansas & Oklahoma’s roster, the railroad does use a few Electro-Motive Division locomotives and has previously even rostered a couple of Alcos. With heritages ranging from Santa Fe to […]
A southbound Canadian National freight rolls through a limestone quarry in Waukesha, Wis., in August 2011. Stone, sand, and gravel make up the largest source of originating traffic on Wisconsin railroads. Photo by Matt Van Hattem […]
When SP cab-forward 4173 derailed on the turntable at Tucson, “suits” and laborers reported to the scene. R. S. Plummer, Gordon Bassett coll. I have been collecting old black-and-white railroad negatives for nearly 30 years. When I receive a new batch, it’s like Christmas, opening the package and sorting through the stuff. You never know […]
Click to see what’s inside this special issue Click the links to see all the online extras from How to Operate Your Model Railroad. Order How to Operate Your Model Railroad today! Switching Watch the video: Operations on the N scale Waterbury Industrial District. Car routing Download David’s industry lists and switch lists on his […]
Model Railroader managing editor David Popp developed an operating scheme for his N scale New Haven layout. Adopting the idea of operating trains with a purpose will make your layout more interactive and realistic. Click on the links below to download the industry lists and switch lists David uses on his layout. Switch list front […]
Peter Jones, 1944-2009 As many of you know by now, Peter Jones has passed on. He leaves behind a sparkling legacy, having provided inspiration for so many of us. Peter had a uniquely brilliant approach to garden railroading and a compelling, evocative way of presenting his ideas. I have had the pleasure and privilege of […]
In the early 2000s, North America’s 88 automobile assembly plants produced about 15 million new cars and trucks a year. And railroads moved 70 percent of the vehicles built in the United States alone. Most Canadian and U.S. plants are concentrated in a wide corridor stretching from Toronto to Mobile, Ala. Plants in Mexico are […]
Coal is the most important rail commodity in the United States. In the early 2000s, when this map was produced, coal accounted for one of four cars loaded and slightly more than 20 percent of rail revenue. Eighty percent of the coal goes to the generation of electricity at steam power plants, so a map […]
