Searchlight signals stand guard a few miles north of Mojave, Calif., in September 2010. The location is Milepost 377.1. Photo by William Steck […]
Standing guard
Train Topic: Signals & Train Control
Corn City classic
CSX GE ES44DC No. 5251 leads a southbound ethanol train at Deshler, Ohio, on June 14, 2014. For now, the classic Baltimore & Ohio color position light bracket signal remains. Photo by Dale A. DeVene Jr. […]
Shiloh Signals lighted signals
Marc Horovitz 1:32-scale lighted signals Shiloh Signals PO Box 1042 Gloversville NY 12078 Prices: See text Website: www.shilohsignals.com 1:32 scale (suitable for 1:29 scale), multi-light signals; all-metal construction; operates on 12-16V; each hand made; lights are super-bright LEDs; painted and ready to use; suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Mast height (not including the mounting […]
Old Iron Designs gladhands
Kevin Strong 1:20.3-scale gladhands Old Iron Designs, LLC 203 Afton Ave. Trenton NJ 08618 Price: $20/package of 8 (enough for 4 cars) Website: www.oldirondesigns.com 1:20.3 scale, nickel-silver castings of air brake gladhands; magnetic connections; air hoses included; 1:32-scale version coming soon Pros: Highly detailed castings; prototypical operation; easy to install Cons: None Kevin Strong Kevin […]
Searchlight sentinels
This hot eastbound BNSF Railway “Z train” is seen near Bucklin, Mo., on July 28, 2013. The searchlight signals are a hallmark of the former Santa Fe route. Photo by Russell J. Lyon […]
Office car special
Norfolk Southern’s prized F-units parade through the community of Glade Spring, Va., and past the classic signals at Washington, while on a eastbound inspection trip to Roanoke from Chattanooga, Tenn., on June 11, 2013. Photo by Samuel Phillips […]
Dashing through the snow
CSX train Q324 blasts out of the driving snow at old FC tower in Defiance, Ohio, on Dec. 26, 2012. Photo by Brian M. Schmidt […]
Hurry up and wait
The railroaders’ mantra has always been “hurry up and wait” and this CSX crew at Glendale, Ohio, in suburban Cincinnati is living up to their creed. This portion of the former Baltimore & Ohio Toledo to Cincinnati route is paired with the Norfolk Southern New Castle District in directional running; most trains passing Glendale are […]
CN sunrise
Morning sunlight glints off a Canadian National freight train rolling across Broadway in Waukesha, Wis., in August 2011. The train left Chicago in the wee hours and is headed for western Canada. Photo by Matt Van Hattem […]
Morning bath
Union Pacific No. 7875 heads east through Rochelle, Ill., bathed in bright morning light. Photo by Sean Valk […]
DCC Bitswitch automatic station stop control
Kevin Strong Automatic station-stop control for DCC-controlled railroads (all scales)DCC BitSwitch31190 Eagle Crest LaneEvergreen CO 80439Prices: Timed-stop station control, $89.95; DC brake generator (needed in conjunction), $25Website: www.dccbitswitch.com Circuit boards to provide automatic station stops for DCC-powered railroads Pros: Wiring diagrams clear and easy to follow; simple installation Cons: Only works on track powered, DCC-controlled […]
Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motors
Kevin Strong Vital statistics Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motorsUnionville DepotE-mail: queries@unionvilledepot.com Price: SC-11 1-coil (2-wire) switch machine controller, $39; LP-10 laser pointer, $18Website: www.unionvilledepot.com Pros: Simple installation and operationCons: Difficult for laser to register on the controller in sunlight; circuit board not weatherproof If you’ve got switches on your railroad, you need some […]
