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On Aug. 6, 2012, a single Illinois Central manned helper locomotive brings up the rear of a southbound Canadian National intermodal train working up Byron Hill on the Waukesha Subdivision near Byron, Wis. Tom Danneman Q How do locomotive engineers know they are doing equal work on trains equipped with manned helpers? – Robert A. […]
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 […]
Sporting a red cab roof, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-8-4 No. 5632 departs Chicago Union Station in spring 1962 with an excursion. The locomotive’s graphite smokebox and firebox are also readily apparent. Ed DeRouin, Barbara DeRouin collection Restored Denver & Rio Grande Western 2-8-0 No. 315 shows off its contrasting graphite smokebox. Martin E. Hansen […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page With the new year, comes a new episode of Ask MRVP! To get things started off strong, host David Popp addresses your specific viewer inquiries related to trackwork, wiring, scenery, and much more. But of course, only MRVP subscribers benefit from having an […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page With the new year, comes a new episode of Ask MRVP! To get things started off strong, host David Popp addresses your specific viewer inquiries related to trackwork, wiring, scenery, and much more. But of course, only MRVP subscribers benefit from having an […]
Horns are typically placed near the middle of the locomotive to minimize noise to the crew. New Canadian National ET44AC No. 3062 shows off its Nathan K5HLR2. Chris Guss A horn is one of the many safety appliances installed on a locomotive and is used to warn both the general public and railroad employees while […]
Bridge: A bridge comprising multiple span types crosses Swinomish Slough on BNSF Railway’s Anacortes Spur in Washington. Three photos, David Honan Q From the perspective of the railroads, what is the difference between bridges, trestles, and viaducts? – Ron Dutton, Los Angeles Viaduct: Union Pacific’s Joso Bridge carries the Ayer Subdivision over the Snake River […]
Cass Scenic Railroad’s Heisler No. 6 climbs a grade puffing smoke and steam into a gray cloud. Steve Sweeney Q Why is it that one locomotive, on the same day, may have black exhaust, white/light gray, or at times almost invisible exhaust coming from the smoke stack? – Russ Gray, Kernersville, N.C. A The color […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp is back to host the final Ask MRVP of 2017! In this episode, he enlists the help of Cody Grivno, Eric White, and even Mr. Flexy, to address inquiries related to DCC, benchwork, trackwork, painting, layout planning and more! […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp is back to host the final Ask MRVP of 2017! In this episode, he enlists the help of Cody Grivno, Eric White, and even Mr. Flexy, to address inquiries related to DCC, benchwork, trackwork, painting, layout planning and more! […]
Krauss-Maffei diesel-hydraulic No. 9120 pulls an excursion for the Pacific Locomotive Association out of Oakland, Calif., in April 1967. The same organization would later work to restore sister unit No. 9010 to operation. Robert L. Hogan Q What can you tell me about the Krauss-Maffei diesel-hydraulic locomotives that operated in the U.S. in the 1960s? […]
Controls for measuring the length of a train (circled) are integrated into the touch screen Video Information Display on an EMD SD70ACe. Tom Danneman Q If an engineer has a train with 100 or more cars and he gets a signal to take the siding, how does he know when he and all the cars […]
