Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA

Rapid-transit train at station. Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA.

BOSTON — Safety issues continue to plague the MBTA. The commuter service is now investigating a near miss between a train and workers on the Red Line on Monday and second incident on Monday, Sept. 11, along the same tracks, according to a news story on WCVB-TV. Last week the Federal Transit Administration admonished the […]

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The Back Creek Paper layout in HO scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features   Name: Back Creek PaperScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 10 x 14 feetPrototype: Westvaco Pulp & Paper millLocale: Covington, Va.Era: 1974Style: around-the-wallsMainline run: 28 feetMinimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: none Download a PDF of this trackplan! Buy the October 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]

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The HO scale Central New York & New England layout

A model railroad trackplan, split-level

Facts & features   Name: Central New York & New EnglandScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 11 x 19 feet plus 7 x 9-foot helix/staging areaPrototype: freelancedLocale: Maybrook, N.Y., areaEra: mid-1950sStyle: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 120 feet visible plus 81 feet in helixMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 5 (industries)Maximum grade: 1.87% in helixBenchwork: open grid (lower […]

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Hudson River rail tunnel project starts … again

Train running through a tunnel. Hudson River rail tunnel project starts … again

NEW YORK — Following a 13-year delay, it appears construction will begin in October on the initial steps leading to a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River to Midtown Manhattan, according to a story in the New York Times.  The Gateway Program, which will address infrastructure needs on 10-miles of the Northeast Corridor, is […]

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American Flyer store display photo from early 1950s

vintage photo of a train store display

Isn’t amazing how a single vintage photograph of a store that stocked electric trains can serve as a time machine to carry us back several decades. Pictures like this one are scarce, and so we at Classic Toy Trains know how fortunate we are to be able to share it with you. Our gratitude goes […]

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Steamtown announces ticket for 2023 autumn excursions

Passenger train rounding bend during a fall day.

SCRANTON, Pa. — Tickets for Steamtown National Historic Site’s upcoming schedule of autumn excursions are now available for purchase online. Selected days in September and October will see diesel-powered, full-day trips depart from the National Park to Gouldsboro, Carbondale, Tobyhanna, or Cresco. Autumn excursion schedule includes these dates. Tickets can be purchased at recreation.gov: Sept. […]

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