“Silver Chalet” history

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The Silver Chalet, once part of the Western Pacific’s California Zephyr, rests outside Quad/Graphics’ Sussex, Wis., printing plant Nov. 24, 2004. Cody Grivno Q I saw a private car named “Silver Chalet” at Union Station in Washington, D.C. It had an odd-looking observation platform. Can you tell me its history and who owns it now?— […]

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Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale EMD GP9

This HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel-electric locomotive features a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. The HO locomotive model is part of Athearn Trains’ Genesis series. See and hear the Athearn Genesis HO scale GP9 as we run the locomotive model on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]

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Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale EMD GP9

This HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel-electric locomotive features a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. The HO locomotive model is part of Athearn Trains’ Genesis series. See and hear the Athearn Genesis HO scale GP9 as we run the locomotive model on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]

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The snowplow photographers’ blog

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Wisconsin & Southern Jordan spreader WSOX 9 shatters a drift near Minnesota Junction, Wis., on Feb. 3, 2011. William R. Beecher Jr. William R. Beecher Jr. Fond du Lac, Wis. The snow stopped. The sun actually rose under glorious high pressure after two solid days of blizzard that left Central Wisconsin under almost 2 feet […]

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Handcar and tool shed drawings in 1:29 scale

Handcar and tool shed drawings in 1:29 scale

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 […]

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Accucraft East Broad Top Mikado

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Kevin Strong Vital statistics 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, live-steam East Broad Top Mikado Accucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $3,499 (live steam); $2,999 (electric)Website: www.accucraft.com All metal, live steam, 1:20.3-scale model of East Broad Top Nº 12; minimum radius, 4’; butane fired; sight glass; water pump in tender; fully sprung drivers; working Walschaerts valve […]

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Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motors

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Kevin Strong Vital statistics Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motorsUnionville DepotE-mail: queries@unionvilledepot.com  Price: SC-11 1-coil (2-wire) switch machine controller, $39; LP-10 laser pointer, $18Website: www.unionvilledepot.com Pros: Simple installation and operationCons: Difficult for laser to register on the controller in sunlight; circuit board not weatherproof If you’ve got switches on your railroad, you need some […]

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Re-gear kit for Bachmann’s K-27

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Kevin Strong Vital statistics Re-gear kit for Bachmann K-27R and K Railroad Products16722 Dakota Dr.Leavenworth KS 66048Price: $140 Website: www.randkrailroadproducts.com Add-on gearbox for Bachmann K-27; requires disassembly and reassembly of engine; motor must be sent in to be fitted with new gearbox Pros: Robust construction; smooth operation allows for very controlled speeds on a variety […]

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