One way to dispose of a model railroad: make dioramas

An HO scale diorama of a plywood mill with multiple buildings

As model railroaders age, we are faced with the question of how to dispose of a model railroad in case of changing scales, downsizing, moving, or death. No one seems willing to address this uncomfortable question. In the case of death, the model railroader’s family is saddled with the problem of disposing of the models. […]

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Steam locomotive making clicking noises

A model steam locomotive in 3/4 profile on a white background

Q: My HO scale Broadway Limited Imports Reading Co. T-1 steam locomotive is making clicking noises. The strange popping, cracking noise is most noticeable in curves. Otherwise, the engine runs fine. Although it was bought some time ago, it is operationally new. I’ve attached a short video. Any thoughts? — Bill Franz A: It’s hard […]

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T-TRAK Project Part 8: Ballast, backdrops, and a riverbed

Black, gray, and silver model railroad track showing examples of track with finished surrounding scenery including grass, bushes, and gravel ballast next to plain track by itself on tan painted wood.

Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy continue the scenery process on their T-TRAK modules in an attempt to make them look more like the prairies of Colorado. T-TRAK is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this eighth installment of the T-TRAK series, […]

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Burlington’s other Zephyrs deserve a spotlight

Burlington Route Houston Zephyr

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight.   Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]

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June Model Railroader Hall of Fame nominees

Composite of three black-and-white photos of men

Though all our Model Railroader Hall of Fame nominees so far have been hobbyists, sometimes an avocation becomes a vocation. That was the case for our three June Model Railroader Hall of Fame nominees, all of whom turned an early interest in model trains into well-known businesses that are still going strong today. Irvin Athearn, […]

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Rock Island passenger trains remembered

A red train approaching an intersection

Rock Island passenger trains: All through May 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Rock Island passenger trains, originally published online in July 2017. […]

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Memorable train rides: Amtrak’s ‘City of New Orleans’

red trolley in downtown area

Trains Editor Carl’s pick: Riding on the City of New Orleans Name of train: Amtrak City of New Orleans The route: Chicago-Memphis-New Orleans Duration: 19 hours The adventure: A rail industry convention in New Orleans in April 2023 provided an opportunity to ride a train I mostly knew about thanks to the country-folk song “City […]

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DC Metrorail retires 2000-series railcars

Subway train pulling into station

WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail has retired its 2000-series railcars, the oldest equipment in its fleet. The cars’ last day of service was Friday, May 10, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said in a press release. The cars, built by Italy’s Breda with final assembly in Beech Grove, Ind., debuted in 1983, arriving about two […]

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Metro-North completes new 400,000-square-foot shop building

Group of people on floor of shop building

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Metro-North Railroad has completed upgrades to its maintenance facilities at Croton-on-Hudson, opening a new 400,000-square-foot Harmon Shop building to complete a multi-year project. The facility opened on Friday can handle repairs for the entire Metro-North electrified fleet, including 12 carhoists, four pedestal tracks, and multiple door-level and roof-level platforms to aid in […]

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Five mind-blowing facts — Golden Spike Ceremony

On May 10, 1869, the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed during the Golden Spike Ceremony. Yes, every rail enthusiast and elementary school student has this date ingrained in their mind. The rail enthusiast probably remembers the date better than the elementary school student, but nonetheless, it is a significant date in U.S. history. However, for […]

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