Electric and diesel locomotives’ top speeds are governed by gear ratios and safe operations, like this Union Pacific westbound near Franklin Grove, Ill. Brian Schmidt Q What determines the theoretical top speed of a diesel locomotive? Is it the gear ratio? What other factors enter in? – Mike Pedersen, North Berwick, Maine A The maximum […]
Read More…
O gauge scale GG1 electric from Williams by Bachmann Price: $699.95 (no. 20-3546-1) Min Curve: O-42 Cmd Low: N/A Cnv Low: 8.9 smph High: 73.5 smph Drawbar pull: 1 lb., 12 oz. Features: Plastic shell, die-cast metal trucks, two can-style motors, True Blast Plus sound system, operating couplers. Current production road names: Pennsylvania RR green […]
Read More…
Great Northern Railway used three-phase locomotives in the 1920s. This General Electric locomotive operated with three-phase power. General Electric Q In a September 1999 article in Trains, I read that the Great Northern Cascade Tunnel electrification project was the first and only three-phase A.C. system in America. Was three phase delivered to a moving locomotive? […]
Read More…
This HO scale General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) models a Canadian-built version of the SD40-2 diesel-electric locomotive. The model accurately depicts its CP Rail prototype, including functioning classification lights. An ESU LokSound Select decoder provides realistic sound and lighting effects and operates on Digital Command Control (DCC) and direct-current (DC) layouts. Watch the locomotive run […]
Read More…
This HO scale General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) models a Canadian-built version of the SD40-2 diesel-electric locomotive. The model accurately depicts its CP Rail prototype, including functioning classification lights. An ESU LokSound Select decoder provides realistic sound and lighting effects and operates on Digital Command Control (DCC) and direct-current (DC) layouts. Watch the locomotive run […]
Read More…
A British Columbia museum is offering this 1912 steeple-cab locomotive for sale. Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society SURREY, British Columbia — The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society is offering a 1912 General Electric steeple-cab electric locomotive for sale. The museum’s focus is on operating British Columbia Electric Railway interurban passenger equipment, and the locomotive occupies […]
Read More…
This HO scale Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe from Walthers models a modern era workhorse. Part of the WalthersMainline series the locomotive model includes a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Get a demo of some of the locomotive’s features as it hauls a model train on one of the Model Railroader staff’s project layouts. […]
Read More…
This HO scale Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe from Walthers models a modern era workhorse. Part of the WalthersMainline series the locomotive model includes a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Get a demo of some of the locomotive’s features as it hauls a model train on one of the Model Railroader staff’s project layouts. […]
Read More…
Amtrak E60CH 966 on the Washington-bound Murray Hill has become disabled just south of Bowie, Md., on March 26, 1976. Sent out to rescue the one-year-old motor is Penn Central GG1 4885 — a 37-year veteran of the Northeast Corridor. Ray Brubacker photo […]
Read More…
The Athearn HO scale Ready-to-Roll Electro-Motive Division SD40 features many roadname-specific details. The model also features a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch the SD40 work a freight train on the Model Railroader staff’s Troy Branch model train layout. […]
Read More…