Model railroad locomotive, freight car, detail and accessory, and structure announcements for December 30, 2021

The N Scale Architect N scale Barnesville [Pa.] Tunnel kit.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 30, 2021 HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel […]

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February 2022

February 2022 Model Railroader issue cover

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 The secret of Severna Park’s success NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 How are a crane’s hooks secured for travel? STEP BY STEP, pg. 24 Build a cement silo DCC […]

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Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s HO scale Chesapeake & Allegheny

Track plan overview

The layout at a glance Name: Chesapeake & Allegheny RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13 x 36 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: mid-Atlantic Era: 1950-60s Style: around the walls Mainline run: 201 feet Maximum grade: 3 percent Minimum curve radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Benchwork: open grid and L-girder Height: 55″-70″ Roadbed: Homasote Track: handlaid […]

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7 Operating session tips

Group of adults on a patio

Seven operating session tips will help model railroaders step back from, or maybe step into, their layout by sharing the experience with others. For starters, operation gives a model railroad purpose. A layout compares with a theater’s stage, its props the scenery and rolling stock. In an operating session, this stage springs to life, re-creating […]

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Ask MR: What is dynamic braking and how does it work?

Two black Norfolk Southern diesel locomotives pull a string of empty hopper cars

Q: What is dynamic braking on trains? – Mark Kroll A: Unlike a typical diesel-powered car or truck, a diesel locomotive doesn’t have a direct mechanical linkage between its diesel engine and its wheels. These locomotives are more properly called diesel-electrics. Rather than turning a driveshaft that drives the wheels, the engine (or “prime mover”) […]

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