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Branch line and local trains deliver goods to big and small towns everywhere. These routes are important arteries in the nation’s economic lifeline, especially to remote areas. While we use the term “last mile”, sometimes a local will traverse many miles to get cargo from main line railroad distribution yards to Main Street, USA. Take […]
In October of 2022, restored former Craig Mountain Lumber Co. 2-truck Heisler steam locomotive No. 3 began operation along the rails of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Since its 1917 origins, No. 3 has journeyed from lumber hauls in Idaho to sites in Wisconsin to Arizona to Oregon. Now at home on the OCSR, No. […]
Even as news of the impending mega-merger of CP and KCS operations continues to break, the rails through the Canadian Rockies remain active. Although the paint schemes routing this transcontinental main line are subject to change, the challenge of traversing one of the globe’s most sensational mountain passes will always remain. Catch a glimpse of […]
Model Railroader magazine’s associate editor Bryson Sleppy shares his technique for installing an LED kit into a modern, HO scale passenger car that did not come factory-equipped with lights. Even better, Bryson adds an NCE Light-it DCC decoder he’ll use to toggle the interior illumination on/off. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop […]
After host David Popp cleans up a few foibles around the cork roadbed, he turns to the task of modifying turnouts to accommodate Tortoise switch motors. And then his full focus goes to laying down the trackwork! Follow his fastidious process for aligning the main line and gluing into place…to perfection! And be sure to […]
In this exclusive Trains.com video tour of an HO scale (1:87.1) model railroad based on New Haven operations in the 1950s and ‘60s, you’ll get to see close-up views of a masterfully detailed display! First showcased in the August 2004 issue of Model Railroader and Great Model Railroads 2020, Rick’s layout features exquisite catenary installations, […]
Railroads move a significant volume of crude oil, so it’s no surprise that Tom Danneman frequently frames these extensive unit trains traversing the expansive American West. These big trains and even bigger skies are all part of what makes Tom’s brand of contemporary railfanning so compelling to view – but only as part of the […]
There’s a new place in the making on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista HO scale layout! Watch as he plans and plots out the details of a small community he calls “Westcott”. Take a tour down our host’s imagined Main Street, as he evaluates which structures and subtle details are best suited for the space. Plus, […]
There’s a new place in the making on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista HO scale layout! Watch as he plans and plots out the details of a small community he calls “Westcott”. Take a tour down our host’s imagined Main Street, as he evaluates which structures and subtle details are best suited for the space. Plus, […]
Big Blue diesel locomotives were ubiquitous for those living in the Northeast and upper Midwest for many years of the last century. Although Consolidated Railroad Corporation has been gone for over 20 years now, let’s take a look back at 1990s Conrail freights in the state of Pennsylvania! […]
In December 2022, near Tamaqua, Pa., it’s no surprise the Reading & Northern Santa Trains are big business! Of course, the Reading & Northern is no stranger to giving the public what they want. The railroad does a brisk business with these runs with its Lehigh Gorge Scenic railway operation, based out of Jim Thorpe, […]
Leaving Orbisonia, Pa., on a rainy day in February 2023, EBT steam locomotive No. 16 leads its first passenger train in nearly 67 years! To the delight of the East Broad Top Foundation, the new entity tasked with bringing this 2-8-2 back to life, No. 16 completed successful test runs in preparation for their Winter […]
