Atlas HO scale EMD GP38

Atlas HO scale EMD GP38 in Rock Island Rail paint.

Are you ready to rock? In our latest Product Review video, Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a look at the Atlas HO scale EMD GP38 decorated for Mississippi’s Rock Island Rail. In the video, Cody provides a brief history of the full-size 4310, points out the various details on the model, demonstrates the sound and […]

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Riverside running

A black and white photo of a freight train led by two locomotives

A Chicago, Burlington & Quincy freight hugs the Mississippi River north of Davenport, Iowa, in 1966. Lead GP7 No. 204 lacks dynamic breaks, while trailing SD7 No. 313 is so equipped. R. Ball photo […]

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Rock Island locomotives remembered

Maroon Rock Island locomotives on freight train

Rock Island locomotives displayed a remarkable lack of diversity in the steam era. In contrast, during the diesel era, the Rock hardly met a locomotive model it didn’t like. In the 20th century, the Rock made heavy use of the 0-6-0 (171), 2-8-0 (562), 2-8-2 (234), 4-6-0 (242), and 4-6-2 (175), types. Perhaps the best-remembered […]

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Atlas HO scale EMD GP38

Atlas HO scale EMD GP38 in Rock Island Rail paint.

Are you ready to rock? In our latest Product Review video, Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a look at the Atlas HO scale EMD GP38 decorated for Mississippi’s Rock Island Rail. In the video, Cody provides a brief history of the full-size 4310, points out the various details on the model, demonstrates the sound and […]

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How to pack trains for moving

Color photo of HO scale freight cars.

At some point in your life, you will most likely move. For some it may be to a new residence across town. For others it might be several states away, or perhaps another country. In addition to moving furniture, clothes, and other household items, you’ll need to prepare your trains for transport. In this article, […]

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Firefighter injured at Progress Rail plant in Florida

Fire truck outside building that shows burn damage

NAPLES, Fla. — One firefighter was injured in a fire at a Progress Rail facility in Naples early this morning (Friday, May 17). WFTX-TV reports 16 people were in the building at the time the fire broke out, but all evacuated safely. Twenty fire units and 41 firefighters responded to the incident  at a single-story […]

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Entrance to Yellowstone

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Northern Pacific heavily promoted Yellowstone National Park, building a branch from Livingston, Mont., to Gardiner in 1883 to deliver passengers to the park. In 1956, its Livingston station still promoted its connection to the park. Donald Sims photo […]

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Trains.com Video BONUS | Behind Big Skies & Iron Rails

Trains.com Video BONUS | Behind Big Skies & Iron Rails … “Anything for The Shot.” It’s the photographer’s creed. But what does that really mean? Especially when it comes to railfan images captured by Trains.com’s intrepid adventurer Tom Danneman, who often contends with extended exposure to wild weather, rugged landscape, and outright lethal creatures too! […]

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Amtrak Superliner Cars

The recent shortage of Amtrak long-distance sleeper cars has hoisted the venerable, but rapidly aging, Superliner equipment into the spotlight again. You can read more about past and present Superliner woes in the article, “Superliner capacity not a new issue”, appearing in the July 2024 issue of Trains magazine. But first, catch a glimpse of […]

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Illinois Alco

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An eastbound Toledo, Peoria & Western local behind olive-green-and-gold Alco RS2 No. 204 rolls across a steel bridge near Forrest, Ill., on Feb. 27, 1960. At the time, the road operated between Effner, on the Indiana-Illinois border, and Keokuk, Iowa, on the Mississippi River. J. Parker Lamb Jr. photo […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale portrays a bridge line operation connecting the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest […]

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