Athearn Trains HO scale EMD SDP45 diesel locomotives For the first time, a General Motors Electro-Motive Division SDP45 rumbles down HO scale rails as a ready-to-run plastic model. Part of Athearn Trains Genesis series, this HO scale SDP45 rivals the finest brass locomotives in terms of roadname- and road-number specific detail. I tested a version […]
Spring Mills Depot HO scale covered hopper Spring Mills Depot has released an interesting three-bay, 100-ton covered hopper that’s offered in 22 paint schemes. Of particular note, the model comes in numerous variations that have specific detailing to match the prototype paint schemes. Each of the cars is also offered in a variety of correct […]
San Juan Car Co. O scale frameless tank car Price: $89.95 Manufacturer San Juan Car Co. 190 Turner Drive, Unit C Durango, CO 81303 www.sanjuancarco.com Era: 1910s to mid-1960s Road names: Union Tank Car Lines (UTLX, eight road numbers), Milwaukee Road (four road numbers), Pioneer Oil (four road numbers) Comments: As a follow-on to its […]
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It’s sugar beet season! Union Pacific has assigned its biggest, baddest motive power to haul a record crop to themarket. This is an Overland Models three-unit “Big Blow” gas turbine in HO scale that I modified with LED lighting, two QSI Titan decoders (one in the lead unit generating the diesel sounds, another in the […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page World-renowned MR columnist Tony Koester stops by to discuss progress on his HO scale Nickel Plate layout with MRVP Producer David Popp. Tony shares some new photos and insights related to scenes on the layout — all in this exclusive MRVP video you’ll […]
For many years small towns were a major source of traffic for railroads all across the country. Long before anyone ever heard of freeways, the railroads moved all sorts of carload and less-than-carload lot (LCL) freight that kept the local businesses and nearby agricultural economy going. A local station agent-operator was the railroad’s representative who […]
A few dents and weathering add “years” of hauling rough, heavy loads to the pair of gondolas on the right. Compare Tony’s well-worn older cars with his fresh, new car at left. It’s relatively easy to simulate normal wear and tear on a plastic model of a steel gondola. I begin by clamping a medium-wattage […]
Three Peco curved turnouts (left) helped senior editor Jim Hediger fit this reverse loop staging yard on his HO scale Ohio Southern. The switch machines are top mounted for clearance underneath and easier maintenance. The smooth-flowing lines of a gently curved switch lead produce some of the most realistic looking trackwork we’re likely to find […]
Stations (east to west) and Carriers at Roosevelt Road: Central: IC, NYC, Soo Dearborn: ATSF, C&EI, C&WI, EL, GTW, Monon, Wabash La Salle Street: NYC, NKP, RI (all NYC trains before 3:30 to or from La Salle Street) Grand Central: B&O, C&O Union: CB&Q, GM&O, PRR Train (Number/Name if known), Engines, Cars, Schedule (all times […]
Trains ridden: C&O-B&O Night Special, Detroit–Toledo–Lima, July 23-24 (C&O No. 21, Detroit Fort Street–Plymouth; C&O No. 48, Plymouth–Toledo; B&O No. 57, Toledo–Lima): B&O 1457/1409 (E9A/E6A), 12 cars* (B&O unless noted): REX 6398 express, REX 7082 express, C&O 396 baggage, 662 baggage, 230 baggage, 47 RPO, 3547 coach, 3572 coach, B&O Pullman sleeper Cascade Drive (MP Eagle […]
Helper operations were carefully coordinated using locomotive whistle signals as specified in the railroad’s operating rules: (an “o” denotes a short sound, while a dash – indicates a longer whistle blast). The lead engineer handled the train’s air brake while each helper engineer had an independent brake for just his engine. Two long blasts on […]
