Remembering Pere Marquette passenger trains

A train passing over a bridge

In April 2020, Classic Trains is celebrating the history, heritage, and splendor of the Pere Marquette Railway. Enjoy this photo gallery, originally published online in  October 2017, as the perfect salute to the PM. Return each week for another salute to the railroad of the month! See what we did last week for the Pere […]

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New model trains for the week of April 9, 2020

MRRNP0720_56

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP18 diesel locomotive. Baltimore & Ohio (blue and yellow, one road number), Illinois Central (black and white), Norfolk & Western (black and white), Burlington Northern (Cascade Green and black in three numbers, Northern Pacific patchout in one number), Nickel Plate Road (black and yellow), and Northern Pacific (black and yellow). […]

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How-to Library: DCC Operation – JMRI with Pi

A tv screen with JMRI logo

MRVP’s Ben Lake explains the essential components and process for establishing a digital means to control trains, turnouts, blocks, and even signals. His solution? JMRI interfaced with a Raspberry Pi computer. Follow along, and get up to speed on this cutting-edge DCC option for operating your model railroad! […]

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New model trains for the week of April 2, 2020

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD24 and SD26 diesel locomotives

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD24 diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD24 and SD26 diesel locomotives. New paint schemes. SD24 (low short hood unless otherwise noted): Burlington Northern (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy patchout with high short hood), Southern Pacific (scarlet and gray, three road numbers), and Union Pacific (Armour Yellow […]

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Video: Atlas HO Trainkids Acela Train Set

Atlas HO scale Trainkids Train Set

The Atlas Trainkids Acela Train Set has everything needed to get a youngster started in model railroading. Senior editor Dana Kawala shows you have to set up the track and get trains rolling. You can get the Atlas Trainkids Train Set and additional cars and track at KalmbachHobbyStore.com […]

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Ask MR: What did MR’s birthplace really look like?

Model Railroader placeholder image

Question: I just purchased the Model Railroader animated sign [available from the Kalmbach Hobby Store at kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/ layout-accesory/84033 – Ed.]. I also have a resin kit of “The Birthplace of Model Railroader” sitting on the shelf. Not that the combination would be prototypical in any way, but I’m considering using the two together on a […]

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How to use Z scale couplers to make N scale equipment more realistic

A comparison of two N scale boxcars, one with a Z scale coupler, another with an N scale coupler

In N scale, oversized, truck-mounted couplers are still a de facto standard, but body-mounted scale-sized couplers aren’t exclusive to larger scales. Micro-Trains Line sells N scale freight cars with pads and mounting holes for easy installation of body-mounted couplers. For an even more in-scale appearance, I install Z scale couplers instead of N scale couplers. […]

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Remembering the Pere Marquette Railway

Two E7’s, just months old, stand outside the trainshed of Chicago’s Grand Central Station, ready to depart for PM’s hub of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with train 6, on June 21, 1947.

Two E7’s, just months old, stand outside the trainshed of Chicago’s Grand Central Station, ready to depart for PM’s hub of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with train 6, on June 21, 1947. Dave Wallace Chasing the spirit of the Pere Marquette When I first encountered the former Pere Marquette Railway as a boy in southwestern Michigan […]

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