Trains LIVE — Mikados — 3-29-2024 — As rail traffic expanded in the early 1900s, the 2-8-0 steam locomotive class had reached its apex. The railroads, however, needed more power, which meant expanding steam-generating capacity. More steam meant having a larger fire and firebox to hold it. Fireboxes became wider, moving behind the last driving […]
Trains LIVE — Restoring Montana Western No. 31 — 3-15-2024 — At the root of the diesel-electric locomotive family tree is the Electro-Motive Corp. motorcar or doodlebug, as they were sometimes called. The EMC motorcar employed traction technology that today is common — an internal combustion engine turning an electric generator feeding power to axle-mounted […]
In this episode, David turns to a new construction technique as he forms the body of a wagon using resin impregnated paper. In his initial attempt with this material, David finds that it cuts, shapes, and assembles in manner similar to styrene. Follow along as he walks through the working limits and shares his valuable […]
In this episode of Spaces to Places, we find host Gerry Leone in the thick of two projects! The main objective of his efforts was to build out the highway underpass and scenery along a layout peninsula. But Gerry also scrambles to complete trackwork reconfiguration that will improved the operation of his HO scale Bona […]
Trains LIVE — The Mad City Model Railroad Show — 3-1-2024 — Operating model railroads, railroad historical societies, museums, garden railroads, restored motor cars — if it has something to do with trains — of any size — you can find it at the Mad City Model Railroad Show. For the 56th time the South […]
David moves from Episode 1 to the next steps of assembling wagons for the railroad town of his On30 Olympia & Sand Creek model railroad. This time, he starts in by making sure the parts to be assembled are well cleaned, all so the adhesive will properly adhere to the various white metal components. Then, […]
Model trains are often kept in spaces below grade, which are subject to dampness or worse, flood water! Fortunately, if your locomotives are left damaged from such flooding, it doesn’t necessarily equate to total loss. In this video, David Popp walks through the process of evaluating the damage through the steps required to get your […]
Trains LIVE — Inspecting Black River & Western No. 60 — 2-16-2024 — Tucked away in the Black River & Western Railroad shop in Ringoes, N.J., a group of Black River Railroad Historical Trust volunteers are working to complete the Federal Railroad Administration Form 4 inspection on No. 60, a 2-8-0 Consolidation built by Alco […]
Host David Popp departs from the On30 layout construction to tackle something he’s never done before. In the railroad town of Sand Creek, David works to build, paint, and install proper horses and horse drawn wagons that folks use to haul goods to and fro. Saddle up for the ride through the entire process…and Trains.com […]
Spaces to Places V: A new path to the underpass In the previous episode of Spaces to Places, host Gerry Leone got sidetracked from his efforts to build out a highway underpass. But his attention to accommodating a yard ladder will pay off when it comes to shaping up a more desired space for the […]
Trains LIVE — Season two begins — 1-31-2024 — No big fanfare, please. This is premier week for season two of Trains LIVE. We have a few changes coming down the line, in addition to new episodes taking you behind the scenes of railroading. Change No. 1 — Our video production team has been working […]
Trains LIVE — The David P. Morgan Library — 1-17-2024 — Within Kalmbach Media headquarters there is a special place that is a treasure trove of railroad knowledge. Rarely does anyone from outside the organization get to visit the David P. Morgan Library, however, staff members for our various publications visit the library regularly. It […]
