Lionel Legacy AC-12 Cab Forward review

Lionel cab forward side view of locomotive

The wait for the Lionel Legacy AC-12 Cab Forward has taken a little longer than the company’s normal 4-6 year re-release cycle. The TMCC version of the AC-12 was released in 2005 followed by a repop with whistle steam and Legacy control in 2014. In 2022 we’re receiving the latest version, first announced in the […]

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Missabe 2-10-4 on Proctor Hill

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In September 1954, Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-10-4 No. 713 tramps upgrade from the docks at Duluth with empty ore cars bound for Proctor Yard at the top of the hill and then the iron range for another load. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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C&O K-2 Mikado from Broadway Limited

A black locomotive with yellow text

C&O K-2 Mikado Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $899.99 Era: 1940s+ Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports LLC, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com   C&O K-2 Mikado features: Paragon4 Sound & Control System Synchronized puffing smoke with chuff sound Variable puffing smoke intensity and timing Integral DCC Decoder with back-EMF 5-Pole Can Motor with […]

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Strasburg No. 475 back in service after accident

Steam locomotive passes standing passenger cars

RONKS, Pa. — Strasburg Rail Road 4-8-0 No. 475, damaged in a Nov. 2 collision with a piece of track maintenance equipment, is back in operation on the railroad’s trains today (Monday, Nov. 7), Strasburg General Manager Jim Hager reports in a note to Trains News Wire correspondent Dan Cupper. The locomotive suffered damage to […]

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Strasburg collision damages No. 475, no one hurt

Steam locomotive passes standing passenger cars

PARADISE, Pa. — Strasburg Rail Road’s 4-8-0 steam engine No. 475 collided with a tracked excavator or “trackhoe” parked on a spur Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, punching a hole in the engine’s smokebox. No injuries resulted and the engine, running light, remained on the track. A combination of a misaligned switch — apparently left open when […]

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Lionel Disney Frozen II train set review

Lionel Disney Frozen II train set

The Lionel Disney Frozen II train set is a great way to make new memories. But let’s look at some old ones first. When you think back, what was the impetus that got you into this hobby of model trains? Usually, those stories begin with a family member, perhaps grandparent, dad, uncle, or brother that […]

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Mainline railroading in the 1950s

yellow model diesel locomotive on garden railway

Mainline railroading in the 1950s Railway at a glance Name: Spring Creek Railroad Size of railroad: Roughly 24′ x 62′ Scale: 1:29, 1:20.3, and 1:32 Gauge: 45mm Era: Circa 1950s Theme: Mainline railroading, mostly passenger and freight; some narrow gauge and branch/trolley line on the inner loop Age: 14 years Motive power: Live steam, track […]

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Canadian Pacific 4-4-0s

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Two of Canadian Pacific’s final three 4-4-0s are seen at Chipman, N.B., in November 1953. Engine 136 is getting ready for the daily run to Norton while No. 144, main rods off and stack covered, watches; sister No. 29 occupied a stall in the enginehouse nearby. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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