A supplement to the Classic Trains Online Look Back e-mail newsletter Susquehanna 2514, a well-cared-for Pacific built for the Erie in 1905, strides out of Pompton Lakes, N.J., with a westbound commuter run. Theodore B. Kerr The New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad evokes in me almost palpable feelings of ownership. Having been born a […]
Having a professional builder design and construct a toy train or scale model railroad may not be for everyone. But for those who want to take full advantage of 21st-century technology this may be the way to go. CTT Visits a layout factory […]
BNSF 9801 led this coal train through Willow Creek, Ind., on Jan. 1, 2009. DETX 994336 is one of 5,700 coal cars owned by Detroit Edison Co. Kathi Kube It’s easy enough to identify reporting marks for Class I railroads, as well as a multitude of short lines and regionals, but the reporting marks on […]
When the TRAINS staff began preparing its April 2010 report on obscure coal moves in North America, we got more photos than we bargained for. In no particular order, here are five more cool coal moves. Two SD90MACs on lease to Wheeling & Lake Erie lead two run-through Union Pacific diesels on a Powder River […]
Once you have decided on a building to model, a plan of it on paper will be a great help. If the building you are contemplating is small enough, a full-size drawing is a good idea. This will allow you to see the actual size of the structure in advance. This article will be usedful […]
Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Despite our best […]
Subscribers: Don’t miss the exclusive highlight video of this impressive locomotive! Acccucraft Forney Marc Horovitz 1:20.3, gauge 1, live-steam 0-4-4 ForneyAccucraft33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $659Web site: www.accucraft.com Freelance, live-steam Forney; all-metal construction; two double acting, piston-valve cylinders; piston-valve reversing; link-and-pin couplers; 50 psi blow-off pressure; single flue, gas-fired boiler; boiler fittings include safety […]
Gary Raymond Vital statistics 1:32 scale, working knuckle couplersAmerican Model Supply33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $10/pairWeb site: www.amstrains.com Working knuckle couplers and sprung draft-gear boxes for 1:32 scale Pros: Prototypical, working drop pin; Kadee #1-scale #820/920 mounting-hole compatibility; perfect size for 1:20.3 cars using three-quarter-size couplers Cons: Slightly oversize for 1:32 scale American Model […]
Bachmann Lumberjack set Marc Horovitz Bachmann Prospector set Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, large-scale starter setsBachmann Industries1400 East Erie AvenuePhiladelphia PA 19124Price: Lumberjack, $350; Prospector, $375Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com Large-scale starter sets; each set has a 1:20.3-scale Davenport diesel-outline locomotive, loop of track, power supply, accessories, DVD, and instruction book; “Prospector” (#90070) includes four side-dump ore cars; […]
Massoth Electronics DiMax Reverse Loop Module Kevin Strong iMax Reverse Loop ModuleMassoth Electronics6585 Remington Dr. Suite 200Cummings GA 30040Price: $128.50Web site: www.massoth.com 15-amp capacity, automatic reverse-loop detection and direction-control system for DCC or DC operation Pros: Non-shorting detection eliminates arcing and pits that can damage wheels and track; works with DCC and analog DC (with […]
Download “Making them go,” Kevin Strong’s 2003 article describing how large-scale locomotives are powered. Look for an updated version of this article in the April 2010 issue. […]
Bob Porges has a rudimentary case of nostalgia backwards. Bob’s layout isn’t a reflection of the toy trains of his childhood – rather, it is a reflection of his life. In virtually every corner of his O gauge layout, you’ll find vignettes of Bob’s childhood, his family, his career, and even his financial portfolio, all […]
