Cody Grivno answers the question: I’m curious to know what the railroad side marker seated in the ballast before a grade-level crossing is all about. It appears to look like an upside down metal hockey stick. Please inform me what this marker stood for, and during what years it would have been utilized. […]
Cody Grivno answers the question about Pennsy’s roster (noting the importance of diesel rosters to both model railroaders and railfans alike). The RS-2 stayed on the Pennsylvania roster until 1965 when they were retired. Do you have a prototype locomotive roster questions? Or, do you want to learn more about your model railroad? Send us […]
Q: What was the purpose of a scale car? Was it to check the track, and where was it located in the train? Were all Class 1 railroads required to have these cars? Were there measuring instruments in those cars? I do realize that with today’s technology they are obsolete. – Gilles Bouthillier […]
Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Send us your questions Got a question about modeling, operation, or prototype railroading? E-mail it to us at AskTrains@Trains.com. […]
Cody Grivno answers these two questions regarding transporting materials on a train. What determines if lumber is shipped wrapped or unwrapped? Also, what determines if a load goes in a boxcar or a centerbeam flatcar? […]
Q: What locomotives are currently used to pull Amtrak’s Auto Train? And does anyone offer them in N scale? – David Feitelson, Ocala, Fla. A: Though people today are most familiar with Auto Train as an Amtrak offering, the unique service began in 1971 under the auspices of a private company, the Auto-Train Corporation. Using […]
Cody Grivno explains several different options for removing decals from your locomotive. Prototype railroads renumber their locomotives from time to time, and you can do the same thing on your model railroad. […]
Cody Grivno explains the functions of the equipment in the photo. He identifies the equipment as a gauge face lubrication system produced by Lincoln. Do you want to know more about the details on tracks? Or would you like more information about model railroading? Send us an email: AskTrains@trains.com […]
Q: What is a lift frog and why are they used? – Bob Kolankoski, Scranton, Pa. A: Flange-bearing frogs, also known as lift frogs, jump frogs, or more colloquially leap frogs, are used on switches or diamonds where the main route sees far more traffic than the secondary. On a traditional tread-bearing frog, the flangeways […]
Q: What kind of cargo is in those gondolas I see that have rounded covers on them? – John Martin A: That depends on the kind of covers you’re talking about. If the gondola in question has low sides and the cover is a tall one with lifting and stacking brackets on it, it’s a […]
Cody Grivno answers this question: Is there anything that can dissolve superglue? Got a modeling question for us? Send us an email: AskTrains@trains.com […]
Cody Grivno answer this question: What are the Tier four units Genesee & Wyoming uses on the San Joaquin Valley in California? Send us an email to AskTrains@trains.com. And if you have more questions, leave that information in the comments field below. […]
