An engineer’s life: Christmas calendar

green Burlington Northern locomotive

I used to get a bit of grief when I was a new hire from co-workers for being a railfan. Railroaders can sniff out a rail enthusiast from 100 miles away — but I know I was not alone. Personally, I think there are more out there than would ever admit to it. I was […]

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Beloit built

20191213

Fairbanks-Morse introduced its “Consolidation Line” of freight and passenger diesels in 1950. Available in cab and booster versions rated at 1,600, 2,000, and 2,400 hp, the line cataloged 14 models. These are CPA24-5 models with a two-axle truck up front and three-axle truck at rear. Robert M. Stacy photo […]

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News & Products for the week of December 2nd 2024

News & Products for the week of December 2nd 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 2nd […]

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Santa Fe All the Way display in HO scale

Santa Fe All the Way display in HO scale | Trains.com Contributor Gerry Leone visits with layout owner/building Andrew Bobis and his expansive modular display inspired by the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway. As configured for operation at Trainfest 2024 event in Milwaukee, Wis., you’ll see detailed modeled sights including the depot in Topeka, […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for December 2024

red and white model boxcar

Locomotives & rolling stock MTH, 739 Washington Blvd., Ste. 101, Elkridge, MD 21075, has FM Erie-built Diesel Locomotives as part of the Premier line. Engines will operate on O-42 curves, feature Proto-Sound 3.0, and will be available in six paint schemes (20-21852 shown). The engines will be sold as unpowered A units or as an […]

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Bachmann N Siemens ALC-42 Charger

Color photo showing side view of streamlined N scale passenger locomotive.

A Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel locomotive is the latest N scale release from Bachmann Trains. The four-axle passenger hauler is based on Amtrak’s new long-distance passenger unit and features factory-applied details, body-mounted E-Z Mate Mark II couplers, and light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting. The prototype Siemens Mobility produces Amtrak ALC-42 Charger diesel locomotives at its plant in […]

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News & Products for the week of November 25th 2024

News & Products for the week of November 25th 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of November 25th […]

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Are MTH Premier SD60M shells interchangable?

model diesel locomotiv

Are MTH Premier SD60M shells interchangable I have the MTH No. 20-2595-1 Premier Line Harley-Davidson SD60M freight set from around 2005. I ran it a few times before the circuit board fried. At the time, it was already out of warranty. I looked into having the board replaced, but it cost too much. More recently, […]

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Youngstown Model Railroad Association’s HO scale layout

Title screen from layout visit video showing scene from HO scale layout.

In the January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine, Contributing Editor Lou Sassi paid a visit to the Youngstown Model Railroad Association, located in its namesake community in Ohio. The club, which has been around for 68 years, has layouts in O and HO scales. Lou’s article focuses on the latter, a 24 x 47-foot […]

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