Q: The 4-4-0 American steam locomotive The General burned wood for fuel. Why didn’t it burn coal? – Alexander Brennan A: The ubiquitous 4-4-0 model called The General is modeled after a famous prototype – the Confederate locomotive of the same name, which was commandeered by Union spies in 1862 at Big Shanty, Ga. The subsequent pursuit […]
Cody Grivno goes searching for the meaning behind “UTCK” in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on what an acronym stands for, or would you like to learn more about your model railroad? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com Please leave all questions in the comments field below. ………………………………… Ask Trains is a […]
Cody Grivno explains how to find a HO scale log car in this video of Ask Trains. Are you trying to find a certain piece of model railroad equipment, or would you like more information on full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com If you know of any other resources for the Evans 100-ton […]
Measuring track curvature Q: Model railroaders measure curves in inches, which is easily understood. However, prototype railroads measure their curves in degrees. I’m accustomed to degrees as a measure of angles. How do degrees measure radii? – Alan Crouse A: We modelers measure track curvature by radius because it’s convenient. It’s usually easy to locate the center […]
Where to buy a locomotive air horn? Cody Grivno explains what where to look to find these more unique and perhaps rare items in this video of Ask Trains. Caution: These things are meant to be loud for airlines to pass a certification, and have to be between 96 and 110 decibels at 100 feet. […]
What’s that locomotive? Cody Grivno explains what kind of locomotive is behind the BNSF Ry. road number 4592 in this video of Ask Trains. So there’s a little something for everybody if you want to model these locomotives. The 60 B’s were somewhat noteworthy because they were the first Jeep B units produced by EMD […]
Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to remove locomotive lettering? I have an HO scale Proto 2000 Heritage 2-8-8-2 steam locomotive from which I would like to remove the decals. I was wondering if the decals are on paint, or if they are put straight on the plastic? Can you tell me how […]
Cody Grivno explains how to bevel the edges of an HO scale cork roadbed in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have other questions about model railroading techniques, or would you like to learn more about what real railroads do? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com And if you have any other techniques for beveling […]
Made in the USA? Cody Grivno answers the question: “What other model railroad manufacturers have products that are made in the USA? Check out the video to find out more. If you have other companies that come to mind, please let us know in the comments field below. If you have other questions about model […]
The Big Four: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Ry. Q: Before my father-in-law passed away some years ago, we’d talk about the trains of long ago. As a boy, he loved to watch rail traffic pass by his childhood home in Pana, Ill. He mentioned the “Big Four” rail lines but couldn’t remember what […]
Q: Where do you find HO scale American flags? Cody Grivno explains where you can find Old Glory to put on your model railroad. There are several options mentioned in this video, so check it out. Do you have other questions about model railroading, or would you like to know more about full-Size trains? Send […]
Q: Where do you find street signs? Cody Grivno explains where you can find street signs in HO, N and O scales for your model railroad. He suggests checking out Blair Line LLC. Each set from this company includes over 130 different street names as well as scale, 3″ diameter posts. They have a really […]
