Burlington Northern and the Grain Industry

A train going past a grain site

    Sure thing, Angela. Since the Baltimore & Ohio began hauling flour from Ellicott’s Mills to Baltimore in 1830 — grain, flour, and seeds have been an important part of railroading. Grain moved in boxcars for decades, but in the early 1960s, Southern Railway’s new, 100-ton — Big John — covered hopper revolutionized grain […]

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Midday Modeler — 10-05-2022 — recorded in Rochelle, Ill

In this episode of Midday Modeler — 10-05-22 Bryson Sleppy and Brian Schmidt are reporting from the Rail Park in Rochelle, Illinois. A tour of the park and layout discussions ensue. Plus, a special “drop-in” from another Trains.com staff member! Midday Modeler is a new, regular video segment, recorded on-site and unscripted from Kalmbach Media […]

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Trains LIVE — Joseph Lister

two men standing together

Trains LIVE — Joseph Lister Trains LIVE — 09-28-2022 — The Mayo Clinic ranks among the world’s preeminent medical facilities. As Doctors Will and Charlie Mayo expanded the care-giving clinic started by their parents in 1864, little did they realize that their reputation would draw people in need of help from all corners of the […]

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Midday Modeler — 09-28-2022 — recorded in the Workshop

In this episode of Midday Modeler — 09-28-2022 Bryson Sleppy shows off the new Blunami Bluetooth Decoder. Cody Grivno demonstrates how to jazz up your layout with a variety of signage. Midday Modeler is a new, regular video segment, recorded on-site and unscripted from Kalmbach Media beginning in February 2022. The segment features Kalmbach Media […]

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Meet Carl Swanson, Trains Magazine Editor

Two men seated in a video studio with dramatic lighting.

Meet Carl Swanson in this first-ever installment of Q&A with the Editors. Yes, Trains Magazine Editor Carl Swanson speaks with Digital Editor Steve Sweeney about his time at Kalmbach, interests in railroading, and – of course – his leadership role at Trains Magazine. This video series is exclusively for Trains.com Unlimited Members to get to […]

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Celebrate CTT’s 35th anniversary and the holidays

Celebrate CTT's 35th anniversary

Help celebrate CTT’s 35th Anniversary in the Nov.-Dec. 2022 issue! The cover features a specially painted set of Lionel F3s done by Len Carparelli. His business, L&L Model Train Restoration Co. celebrates a milestone anniversary of its own; we have a look at some of his work over the years. Of course, there’s also a […]

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Trains Presents — Iowa Interstate 6988

black train on track with a lot of smoke

Come out to Iowa for a mainline steam run in June 2022 as the Central States Steam Preservation Association moves QJ-class 2-10-2 No. 6988 from Newton, IA to Silvis, IL over the rails of the Iowa Interstate Railroad.  The engine is heading east with 2000 tons of freight to the former Rock Island steam shops, […]

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Walthers auto parts boxcar

Screen capture of HO scale boxcar on wood workbench.

An HO scale 60-foot double-door auto parts boxcar is back in the Walthers product lineup. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he reviews the Mainline series car, based on a Pullman-Standard (PS) prototype. The Walthers auto parts boxcar has updated tooling featuring new car sides; 10- and 6-foot doors; a separate, factory-applied brake […]

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Trains LIVE — Rail Safety Week!

Rail safety photo for Trains LIVE

Trains LIVE — Rail Safety Week! Trains LIVE — 09-21-2022 — This week, Bob Lettenberger talks with Gary Koerner, Wisconsin state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, about how you can stay safe around trains and Rail Safety Week. Rail Safety Week (Sept. 19-25, 2022) is an annual event calling our attention to what could be a […]

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Trains LIVE — Rail Safety Week!

Rail safety photo for Trains LIVE

Trains LIVE — Rail Safety Week! Trains LIVE — 09-21-2022 — This week, Bob Lettenberger talks with Gary Koerner, Wisconsin state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, about how you can stay safe around trains and Rail Safety Week. Rail Safety Week (Sept. 19-25, 2022) is an annual event calling our attention to what could be a […]

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