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Over the course of the previous eight issues, the Model Railroader staff has advanced the names of 24 candidates whose contributions to the hobby warrant their inclusion in the Model Railroader Hall of Fame. These nominees have included writers, publishers, innovators, entrepreneurs, inventors, and more. But one word describes all of them: modelers. Each one […]
Mention the word velocipede to a few folks. I bet the reaction is: “A veloci–what?” Talk to a few of your fellow train enthusiasts and they will most likely think you are describing some kind of railroad handcart. An argument could be made that they are correct. That, however, leaves out most of the interesting […]
Allentown kaleidoscope When I was a young boy in the 1960s, my family lived within earshot of the Lehigh Valley’s West End industrial branch that traversed the north side of Allentown, Pa. Weekday summer entertainment included a run to my backyard whenever I heard an approaching diesel switcher. As the local passed, I faithfully counted […]
Learning the route Because trains have a maximum speed, most people assume they move at that speed constantly. Not so. You can’t simply set the cruise control at 79 mph and forget it. With the exception of very flat, sparsely populated terrain, you’re constantly applying or releasing the brakes and manipulating the throttle. There are […]
Railroad History Railroading exists everywhere we look, and in our travels we often get a glimpse into railroad history in places we least expect — like the half-dozen U-turns I’ve performed in ranch country where rust boxcars have been repurposed for storage. It’s an encounter with railroad history beyond the right-of-way. Drier climates in the […]
Buffalo Central Terminal The recent reopening of Detroit’s Michigan Central Terminal rekindled thoughts about another neglected terminal, this one resides in Buffalo, N.Y. What turn of events would need to take place to revive Buffalo’s Central Terminal? There may be significant roadblocks, but could they be overcome? Blast from the past First, some background. As […]
Track The radio comes alive: It’s a transmission about another engineer. We’ll call him Mike Smith. “Mike Smith, what track are you on at Harriman Junction?” I’m northbound on Norfolk Southern train No. 216, a hot-shot piggybacker on the Kentucky Division — the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway, the Rat Hole — between […]
Q: What are the bars on top of Pennsylvania RR diesel locomotives for? Are they for radio? — Damien Bouchey A: Those aren’t for radio, though they served the same function — communication. Those are Pennsylvania RR Trainphone antennas. In the mid-1930s, the Pennsy was looking for a more efficient way for dispatchers and towermen […]
Glendale railroad station The former Southern Pacific railroad station at Glendale, Calif., has always hidden in plain sight as the typical railroad station for countless movies, television shows, and commercials. Physically convenient to the majority of “Hollywood” studios and in a good area with nice surroundings, it gives the entertainment industry a great bang for […]
How fast ya’ going? The legendary John Luther “Casey” Jones forever linked the heroic railroad engineer with speed. He was the lone casualty when his train crashed in an attempt to get his “Cannonball” back on schedule. For the most part, steam engines lacked speedometers. Skill and a trusted pocket watch worked aptly for safe […]
Road foreman As a young engineer, age 38, I was appointed road foreman of engines on the Lehigh Valley Railroad working out of Sayre, Pa. My territory ran from Coxton, Pa., to Manchester, N.Y., which is half way to Buffalo, N.Y. It was in 1953 and the job lasted until 1955 when I was fired […]
Abandoned railroads I enjoy traveling to the Hawaiian Islands. For me, it is a peaceful respite. But there is a down side. It’s not a great place to watch trains. At one time, all the islands that made up the 50th state had some sort of rail transportation. There was steam, diesel, signaling, commuter service, […]
