When we drove off Illinois Route 92 onto former Rock Island property recently at Silvis, I was singularly focused on seeing steam locomotives. Three of them, to be specific, including one very special engine, former Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985. The Challenger was among equipment that made headlines last year as Railroading Heritage […]
Also in this issue: In Memoriam, pg. 6 Malcolm Furlow, 1946-2023 FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Why I enjoy model railroad operations NEWS AND PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news RAILROAD POST OFFICE, pg. 18 Letters from our readers ASK MR, pg. 20 What’s up with that strange tender truck? STEP BY STEP, pg. 24 How to […]
Preview Garden Railways June and July 2023 content While we may no longer be printing Garden Railways magazine, we’re adding new content to Trains.com every week! Here’s a few recent items, and a preview of what’s coming in the next month. Become a Trains.com member so you don’t miss any of this great content! 7 […]
Why use Digital Command Control? Related to this is whether you should, so I’ll start by answering that first, and say the answer is yes, you should. Now, as the reasons why? Let’s make a list, shall we? Why use Digital Command Control for locomotives? Digital Command Control (DCC) allows your locomotives to do more. […]
Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD | 16128 Geared engines were some of the most unique steam locomotives ever built. They were designed to go into the woods, over very steep gradesand questionable track to bring logs or coal out to either a mill or an interchange with a mainline. Join Trains magazine in […]
Preview Model Railroader June and July 2023 content We’re always adding new content to our website! Here are some recent stories you may have missed, and a look at some items coming in July. Short Amtrak consists of the 1980s Amtrak’s business model relies heavily on supply and demand, so when a route has […]
What are DCC sound decoders? Well, to put it briefly: A sound decoder is a computer on a chip that receives and interprets signals sent from the DCC base station and puts out an analog signal that makes an attached speaker produce the sound desired. There’s more to DCC sound decoders, though. There are two […]
Aberdeen Carolina & Western E9A CANDOR, N.C. – The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway has debuted its rebuilt and repainted E9A No. 103 on the “NODA Express Maiden Voyage” (NODA is short for Charlotte’s art and entertainment district in North Davidson). The restored locomotive led a special move from the ACW shops in Candor to […]
Great American Steam Locomotives: Articulateds DVD | 16126 The Articulateds are the largest steam locomotives ever built. Starting as slow speed monsters hauling heavy trains over mountain ridges, they became a regular feature of many of the largest Class 1 railroads, handling everything from slow drag freights, to fast time freights, and even were able […]
TORONTO – On May 19, Metrolinx’ GO Transit announced several new trips on its Lakeshore West Line – including more trains to Niagara Falls. A third round trip from Toronto has been introduced on weekends and holidays to and from Niagara Falls. Until Thanksgiving, weekend, and holiday trips to Niagara Falls will include bike cars, where […]
FORT WORTH, Texas – BNSF Railway has reached new tentative agreements for individual paid sick days with SMART Transportation Division, which includes engineers and conductors. The agreement covers workers on the former Great Northern, Spokane Portland & Seattle, Colorado & Southern, Houston Belt & Terminal, Joint Texas Division, Los Angeles Junction, and some former Santa Fe […]
WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board announced the addition of Justin Broyles from R.J. Corman and Robert (Buck) Rogers from Canadian National to the Board’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). Broyles joins as a small railroad representative, and Mr. Rogers joins as a large railroad representative. The ICC Termination Act of 1995 established RSTAC to advise […]
