Q: What does all that freight car lettering mean? For example, I have noticed build or rebuild dates and brake information. – Jack Pfleeger A: There’s a lot of variation in freight car lettering. It can depend on the type of car, the car’s owner, and the era, since regulations and practices changed over the […]
For any beginner model railroading building their first or even second layout, one of the first questions usually asked is, “What railroad should I model?” It’s important not to bite off more than you can chew. First and foremost, you’ll want to consider product availability and resources. Do manufacturers offer rolling stock for the railroad […]
Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy continue their series of projects to build a modular T-Trak N scale layout. T-Trak is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes that can be plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this second installment, the team demonstrates how to build RS Laser Kit […]
Facts & features Name: Freemont MillsScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3′-51⁄2″ x 7′-103⁄4″Prototype: freelancedLocale: Eastern U.S.Era: 1970Style: Free-Mo moduleMainline run: 94″Minimum radius: 60″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 50″Roadbed: corkTrack: Walthers code 83Backdrop: noneControl: Train Control Systems LT-50 Download this trackplan! Buy the January 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]
Facts & features Name: Reading Co. Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 13′-6″ x 22′-0″ plus 2′-6″ x 5′-3″ West Philadelphia additionPrototype: Reading Co.Locale: eastern PennsylvaniaEra: 1930s to 1940sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 80 feetMinimum radius: 36″ (main)Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (yards and industries)Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: modified L-girderHeight: 50″ to 58″Roadbed: cork on plywood (main), Homasote on […]
Facts & features Name: Conway Scenic RRScale: N (1:160)Size: 6 x 12 feetPrototype: freelancedLocale: New Hampshire’s White Mountain regionEra: modernStyle: islandMainline run: 45 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 8Maximum grade: 3.5%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 36″Roadbed: CorkTrack: Peco code 80 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation boardBackdrop: painted on wallsControl: SCADA automation system Download this trackplan! Buy the […]
Facts & features Name: Wolf Creek Central RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 8′-1″ x 13′-1″ Prototype: freelancedLocale: southeast North CarolinaEra: 1990sStyle: peninsulaMainline run: 81 feetMinimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: no. 4Maximum grade: 2.7%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 48″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: code 70, 83, and 100 flextrackScenery: Woodland Scenics ground foamBackdrop: Painted tempered hardboardControl: Digitrax DB150 DCC Download a PDF of this […]
Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Yes, there are still trains under the tree NEWS AND PRODUCTS, pg. 10 Atlas N scale Alco S4 reviewed, plus the latest new products ASK MR, pg. 18 The mystery of the overhead bunker reefer STEP BY […]
Sir Rod Stewart, Jools Holland announce collaborative album: Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland, legendary musicians who first bonded over their shared passion for model railroading, have announced a collaborative album titled ‘Swing Fever’ due to release in February of 2024. The pair of artists will be joined on this collaborative album by Jools’ Rhythm […]
News & Products for the week of December 4th 2023 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 4th […]
From Auto-Train to Amtrak Auto Train Today’s Auto Train is a stellar option for people looking to travel long distances with their car in tow between northern Virginia and central Florida. Amtrak’s marketing slogan on its website is “Take Your Car on an Auto Train Road Trip.” Those traveling in sleeping cars receive traditional dining-car […]
Meet Dominic Bourgeois What was your first train set (or locomotive)? I was only 6 years old and so I don’t quite remember, but I’m reasonably confident that it was a Model Power set that included a Baldwin “Shark” diesel painted in the Canadian National striped scheme and maybe two cars, a caboose, and a […]
