Plans for a passenger shelter

PlansforaRochesterEasternRapidTransitRypassengershelter

The prototypes for the passenger shelters in these plans originally served the Rochester & Eastern Rapid Transit Ry. This interurban line ran from Rochester, N.Y., to Geneva, N.Y. Models of these compact trackside structures would also work well as flagstop stations on a model railroad. Click on the link to download a PDF of the […]

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Scheduling freight trains

CSXK944Q145OpelikaAlabama

Northbound CSX Transportation aggregates train K944 is seen meeting intermodal train Q145 at Opelika, Ala., in 2010. Class I railroads use different kinds of schedules to keep their networks fluid and profitable, even on single-track lines. Frank Orona What time will the train depart? When will it arrive? While most people associate schedules with passenger […]

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HO scale Chester Ridge & Pennebrook

HOscaleChesterRidgePennebrook

Name: Chester Ridge & Pennebrook Layout owner: Paul Tartaglia Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12′-6″ x 20′-0″ Prototype: freelanced, inspired by the New York Central RR Putnam Division Locale: southeastern New York State Era: 1947 to 1965 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 22″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder […]

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HO scale Paraqua Mountains & Shawnee River

HOscaleParaquaMountainsShawneeRiver

Name: Paraqua Mountains & Shawnee River Layout owner: Pat Driscoll Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9′-6″ x 16′-0″ Prototype: freelance Locale: southwestern United States Era: late 1800s to early 1900s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 164 ft. Minimum radius: 20” Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 7 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 43″ to 53″ Roadbed: Homasote […]

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Sundance Central RR

Sundance Central model railroad

Sundance Central Railroad is comprised of four different railroads: one Fn3 scale and three On30 scale. The Fn3 is made up of 43 modules and is battery operated, and the Silverton & Central On30 is 8 modules. These are moved as needed in a tractor trailer to train shows and conventions as far west as […]

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2018 Railroad Hobby Show report

Athearn Trains HO scale Altoona, Pa.,-rebuilt SD60E diesel locomotive

Athearn Trains HO scale Altoona, Pa.,-rebuilt SD60E diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Altoona, Pa.,-rebuilt SD60E diesel locomotive. Norfolk Southern with Crescent cab. Four road numbers, including “Honoring First Responders.” Detailed cab interior, standard cab roof or Positive Train Control antenna array as appropriate, and railroad-specific long-hood detail. Direct-current model, $219.98; with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control […]

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In Memoriam: Steve Rodgers, 1952-2018

Steve Rodgers of Iuka, Ill., died Jan. 22, 2018. Steve was a veteran of the model railroad industry, starting with Micro Engineering in 1986. A decade later he became general manager of DeLuxe Innovations. In 2007 he co-founded Bluford Shops LLC, a manufacturer of HO and N scale products, with Craig Ross. […]

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Quick Look: Atlas O 55-ton coal hopper

MRRPR0318_11

Atlas O 55-ton coal hopper Price: $74.95 Manufacturer Atlas O 378 Florence Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205 www.atlasrr.com Era: 1960s (as decorated) Road names: Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf; Boston & Maine; Canadian National; Virginian; and Westmoreland Coal Co. Four road numbers each. Data only and undecorated versions also available. Comments: One of the enduring freight-car designs […]

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Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale EMD SDP40F

Athearn Genesis HO scale EMD SDP40F

Part of Athearn’s Genesis series of superdetailed locomotives, this HO scale Electro-Motive Division SDP40F models Amtrak’s first purpose-built locomotive. The model also comes equipped with a new SoundTraxx Tsunami2 Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. See and hear the HO scale SDP40F in action as it hauls an Amtrak train along the Milwaukee, Racine & […]

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