CSX switching layout in HO scale in 12 square feet

CSX Ridgecrest

A version of this article appeared in Model Railroader’s special issue from 2018: Build a Small Railroad. In today’s world of trains, big 6-axle locomotives, and flashing red lights replacing cabooses, it’s comforting to know that spotting a single boxcar at a warehouse is still an integral part of railroading. Designing the module As I […]

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Remembering Santa Fe Railway freight trains

A black and white photo of locomotive 2-10-2 on the tracks with black smoke coming out of its chimney as it turns

All this month — May 2020 — Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and images of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include Santa Fe diesel- and steam-powered freight trains through time. You might […]

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How to cast plaster rocks for model railroad scenery

Rockmolds1

David Popp Nothing says “impressive” quite like a rugged mountain range full of jagged rock faces. Though mountains appear solid to us, many are just individual layers of rocks, stacked one on top of another. If you keep this idea in mind, then adding impressive rock features to your layout isn’t a difficult task. Whether […]

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New model trains for the week of May 14, 2020

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD35 diesel locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD70MAC diesel locomotive. Alaska RR (blue-and-yellow scheme), BNSF Ry. (green-and-cream warbonnet in one road number, Heritage III in three numbers), Burlington Northern (as-delivered green and cream scheme, three numbers), CSX (dark blue and yellow with “boxcar” herald), Mexican Rail Transportation (gray and red Kansas City Southern-style scheme, three numbers), and […]

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Remembering Santa Fe passenger trains

A closeup shot of a passenger train sitting on the tracks

In May 2020, Classic Trains is celebrating the history, heritage, and splendor of the Santa Fe Railway. Enjoy this photo gallery, originally published online in April 2015, as the perfect salute to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Return each week for another salute to the railroad of the month! See what we did last […]

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New model trains for the week of May 7, 2020

Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC-H diesel locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (black and silver “zebra stripes” scheme; two GP7/GP7B sets, two single GP7s, and one GP7B); Chessie System (Baltimore & Ohio and Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks, two road numbers each); Illinois Terminal (as-delivered 1953 “rubber band” scheme with dual cab controls in […]

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Testors to discontinue Model Master, AZTEK, and Pactra brands

Seeking information about the status of the status of several of Testors long-standing paint lines, we have received the following from Vince Pierri, Senior Manager, PR & Corporate Communications for Rust-Oleum: “With a long history of producing quality hobby kits and supplies, we are evolving our strategy to focus more keenly on Testors, our flagship […]

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