The MTH HO scale F3 train set features a locomotive, freight cars, track, and power pack. These model train sets are also available with the MTH Digital Command System and ProtoSound 3.0 sound system. Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala shows you how to get the train set up and running. […]
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Video: MTH HO scale F3 train set
The MTH HO scale F3 train set features a locomotive, freight cars, track, and power pack. These model train sets are also available with the MTH Digital Command System and ProtoSound 3.0 sound system. Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala shows you how to get the train set up and running. […]
Hardiness Zones for mapping plant survivability
Hardiness Zones are the answer to the question, “Where can I grow this plant?” If you’re planting strictly native plants, you won’t need to worry. On the other hand, your nursery plants were originally plucked from all over the world and then researchers tried to grow them in every imaginable climate. The USDA (US Department […]
Stranger on the West Shore
NYC’s eastbound 20th Century Limited slows for a station stop at South Bend, Ind., in October 1962. Louis A. Marre On Saturday, February 17, 1962, a train wreck at Fonda, N.Y., on New York Central’s Water Level Route main line, blocked all traffic east and west. Because of this, westbound trains were to be diverted […]
GATX reporting marks
Q My employer receives plastic pellets in rail cars. Recently, I saw a car that was marked with GATX on the opposite end from the reporting marks, which were different. Do the chemical companies own the cars, or are they leased? — Frank L. Mejean, Crawfordsville, Ind. A GATX Corp. is a leader in leasing […]
Isolating locomotives
Q What does it mean when diesel locomotives are “isolated?”— Ray Russell, Naples, Fla. A “Isolating” a particular locomotive in a multiple-unit consist means that the prime mover is still running, but the main generator and electrical system for propulsion are disconnected. The locomotive will not respond to throttle settings and essentially is along for […]
Locomotive in Brookside Park
Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2707 is moved to Brookside Park in Cleveland in the mid-1950s. C&O Q In the 1960s and ’70s, I saw a steam locomotive in Brookside Park near the Cleveland Zoo. A group removed it later. Was it restored or scrapped? — Larry Matus, North Ridgeville, Ohio A The locomotive in […]
Pennsy Tubular Train
The Pennsylvania Railroad’s Keystone Tubular Train, built by The Budd Co. in 1956, was designed to hug the rails tighter and enable faster transit times. PRR Q What happened to the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Keystone Tubular Train? I heard it was in Michigan and derailed on its way to a new owner for dinner train service.— […]
Weight of trains
The tonnage profile for this Canadian National intermodal train gives overview and detailed information. Ray Weart collection Q When someone says the “weight of the train is xxx tons,” are they referring to the weight on the rails, or the effort needed to move it? Is there a difference?— Mike Llewellyn, Shamokin, Pa. A Yes, […]
Rushin’ through Ruskin
CSX ES44DC No. 5254 pulls the Tropicana Juice Train northbound, crossing the Little Manatee River at Ruskin, Fla., on Aug. 30, 2010. Scott Hartley photo […]
Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 steam locomotive
Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 steam locomotive This Bachmann 2-8-0 is a wonderful scale model to model railroading with steam. It features NMRA- complaint Digital Command Controller decoder and metal details, such as handrails, bells and steam generator. It also has a detailed cab interior and painted cab figures. The tender has a metal ladder and […]
Small freight house drawings in N, HO, S, and O scales
Small freight houses were once a common sight in rural towns across North America. Built in the early 20th century, they provided a link for less-than-carload-lot (LCL) and full carload shipments between the railroad and its local customers. This freight house served Montour Falls, a small community about two miles south of Watkins Glen, N.Y., […]
