Broadway Limited N Reading T-1 4-8-4

Color photo of N scale steam locomotive on scenic base.

An unusual steam locomotive, born of wartime necessity, has joined Broadway Limited Imports’ N scale lineup. The Reading Co. class T-1 4-8-4 Northern, converted from 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives near the end of World War II, mostly handled fast freight, but also pulled passenger and coal trains. In 1945, wartime restrictions kept Reading from buying new […]

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Valpo Dummy commuter train

An amtrak train passes in front of industrial structures

Indiana’s Valpo Dummy commuter train could not garner the public support and funding needed to survive into the modern era. In the 1890s, the Pennsylvania Railroad began operating commuter trains between Chicago and Valparaiso, Ind. Over the next century the service remained largely frozen in time, with operations changing relatively little as the trains passed […]

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Rapido N scale ore hopper

Color photo showing pair of N scale freight cars.

A National Steel Car short-barrel ore hopper has joined the growing N scale freight car lineup from Rapido Trains. The ready-to-run car has Barber S-2 100-ton trucks; 36” metal wheelsets; and see-through, etched-metal crossover platforms. Prototype history The samples we received are decorated as Canadian National 346029, from the railroad’s 346000 through 346084 series, and […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale portrays a bridge line operation connecting the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ CS&P HO scale model railroad portrays a bridge line operation connecting Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest setting — where you’ll […]

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The Canada, Spokane & Pacific layout in HO scale

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features   Name: Canada, Spokane & PacificScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 32 x 43 feetPrototypes: Burlington Northern, Canadian PacificLocale: Pacific NorthwestEra: June 1981Style: walk-inMainline run: 260 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 39″ to 46″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 83 flextrackScenery: plaster gauze over cardboard web covered with Structolite Backdrop: LARC Products photo […]

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Rapido HO scale Alco RS11

Color photo of green-and-yellow diesel on scenic base.

A new run of HO scale Alco RS11 diesel locomotives is now available from Rapido Trains. The model features many newly tooled, railroad-specific details; illuminated number boxes, class lights, and control stand lights; and a new five-pole, skew-wound motor. Prototype history Alco produced the RS11 from February 1956 until May 1961. During that time, it […]

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Amtrak Indianapolis services through time

Streamlined diesel locomotives with passenger train outside of station train shed

Amtrak Indianapolis services exhibit more than their share of tumult through Amtrak’s five decades. No single train has served the city during this time, and, in fact, the Hoosier State’s capital city had no Amtrak service from October 1979 to October 1980.   Amtrak’s Indianapolis station is, and has been, located at 350 S. Illinois […]

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Athearn HO General Electric P40DC

Color photo of HO scale locomotive on scenic base.

The HO scale General Electric (GE) P40DC diesel locomotive has returned to the Athearn product lineup. The Genesis-series model features a newly tooled body with cab-mounted strobe lights, a red emergency light, and other prototype-specific details. The prototype Our review sample is decorated as Amtrak P40DC No. 813, part of the passenger carrier’s 800 through […]

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Milwaukee Road’s EMD SDL39 diesel locomotives

Black-and-orange diesel EMD SDL39 diesel locomotives with white lettering

Milwaukee Road’s EMD SDL39 diesel locomotives came from the road’s desire to replace aging Alco RSC2 units in branchline service.     The Milwaukee Road custom-ordered the lightweight SDL39 specifically for use on its light-rail branch lines. The railroad bought five of the locomotives in 1969, Nos. 581-585. It followed with an order for another […]

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Rapido Trains HO Alco RS11

Title screen of video showing HO scale locomotive painted green and yellow.

The Rapido Trains HO Alco RS11 diesel locomotive recently visited our Wisconsin & Southern layout. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno — who really didn’t pick his shirt to match the locomotive’s paint scheme — as he shares a brief history of Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific No. 3600; highlights the various railroad-specific details on the four-axle […]

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