Lionel John Bull display set review

Lionel John Bull display set

The Lionel John Bull display set is a historical piece from the 2021 Volume I catalog. The company cataloged this in three versions: the “Display Set” which features the engine and one coach on two flatcars; a Camden & Amboy set with three coaches; and a “What-if?” Uncle Sam (John Bull’s cartoon U.S. counterpart) set […]

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Waterloo Central operates steam for Canada’s Thanksgiving

Steam locomotive and passenger cars in front of trees with dramatic fall colors

ST. JACOBS, Ontario — Heritage operator Waterloo Central Railway operated its 0-6-0 locomotive No. 9 on Canada’s Thanksgiving weekend for the first time in two years, following a two-year retrofit and its 10-year boiler inspection from Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority. The locomotive, built in 1923 by the Montreal Locomotive Works for the Essex […]

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CP’s experimental 2-10-4

Canadian Pacific Class T4a No. 8000

In 1931, two years after placing in service a fleet of 20 conventional 2-10-4s, Canadian Pacific constructed an experimental version. Class T4a No. 8000 had three cylinders and a multi-pressure boiler that supplied 250 PSI steam to the two outside cylinders and 850 PSI steam to the inside cylinder. It was retired in 1936. Classic […]

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Video of Bachmann’s HO USRA Light 2-10-2

We reviewed Bachmann’s HO USRA Light 2-10-2 in the August issue of Model Railroader. This locomotive comes equipped with a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder for use on both DC and DCC equipped layout, however, the engine doesn’t include sound. Click the icons below to see the 2-10-2 in action. All videos may take […]

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CN 4-6-0 in Winnipeg

Canadian National Ten-Wheeler at Fort Rouge Yard

Canadian National Ten-Wheeler 1357, pulling an express reefer and heavyweight baggage car and coach, has just arrived at the Fort Rouge yard from the CN station in downtown Winnipeg in September 1958. Franklin A. King photo […]

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C&NW 4-4-2 on a suburban train

Steam Chicago & North Western locomotives with passenger train in snow

Chicago & North Western 4-4-2 1316, a high-wheeled class D from the first decade of the 20th century — is at Glen Ellyn, Ill., with a train for Chicago in February 1944. It’s 5 degrees below zero, making for a lively display of condensing steam. Robert Nicholls photo […]

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Friends’ work week brings more progress

Wooden framework for building

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – Friends of the East Broad Top volunteers wrapped up a week’s worth of labor on Friday, Sept. 23, the group’s second week of concentrated effort this year. The crew ranged between 10 and 20 people, working in close coordination with the railroad’s own full-time employees, according to Andy Van Scyoc, Friends […]

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Five mind-blowing East Broad Top Railroad facts

narrow-gauge steam locomotive on a turntable

Mind-blowing East Broad Top facts Tucked deep in the Allegheny Mountains, between Altoona and Harrisburg, is Rockhill, Pa. Today, Rockhill is home to a railroad time capsule called the East Broad Top Railroad, arguably one of the more famous and best-preserved U.S. narrow gauge lines. Built between 1872 and 1874, the EBT mostly lugged coal […]

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Nashville Steam raise more than $200,000 for restoration of No. 576

Steam engine being worked on in shop building

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville Steam raised more than $200,000 toward restoration of Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis No. 576 during a matching-grant fund drive this summer, the organization has announced. Beginning in May, all donations of $250 or more toward work on the 4-8-4 built by Alco in 1942 were matched through a program sponsored by […]

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Frustration on Horseshoe Curve

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In position for a shot of Pennsylvania Railroad J1 2-10-4 No. 6427 climbing Horseshoe Curve with empty hopper cars in September 1955, photographer Phil Hastings had to settle for this view when a mixed freight overtook the Texas type on the outside track. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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Realistic operations on a raised railroad

model trains in a downtown scene

Realistic operations on a raised railroad: In my first garden railroad, (see Garden Railways May-June 1990), The Great Lakes and Gazebo Railroad, the objective was to add interest to my garden, have fun around the pool, and engage my kids in a new way to play with Dad. My new chapter had to include a […]

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