Why I love the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2

Black train engine leads train past fences and a reservoir

Why I love the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 Many modelers have a locomotive that they are fond of, probably one of their first models that they received as a kid. My first engine was an O gauge F7, a far cry from the locomotive that I love, the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2. In fact, nine years later […]

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Vermont Rail System updates its paint scheme

Freshly painted red and white locomotive

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont Rail System, operator of five railroads in Vermont and New York, is rolling out freshly painted locomotives in its new image. But you will need to look closely to notice the minor change being introduced as the company paints power for the first time in a decade. The repaints will carry the […]

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Genesee & Wyoming donates rare RS1325 to Illinois Railway Museum

Two orange and black locomotives hauling tank cars

UNION, Ill. — The Electro-Motive Division of General Motors built just two RS1325 locomotives. Both have now been saved. Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the worldwide shortline and rail services company, is donating former Chicago & Illinois Midland RS1325 No. 30 to the Illinois Railway Museum. The IRM board approved the donation Saturday night and  transportation […]

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American Z Line September 2022 diesel locomotive announcements

Red, yellow, and black train locomotive with white background

Additional American Z Line diesel locomotive announcements for September 2022 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Southern Pacific Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive, 1980s. Cotton Belt Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, 1956 to January 1960 (as decorated). Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com EMD SW1500 features: AutoLatch couplers Prototype-specific details Directional light-emitting-diode lighting Blackened […]

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Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour

Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour | When David Popp and Ben Lake recently traveled north of the Canadian Border to explore all that’s new with Jason Shron, President of Rapido Trains Inc., they were treated to a special sidetrack trip. On their way to see what new N and HO scale models Rapido […]

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West Virginia’s Beech Mountain manages to keep hauling coal

Gray end-cab switcher crossing culvert with coal hoppers

ALEXANDER, W.Va. — West Virginia’s Beech Mountain Railroad, operated by United Coal subsidiary Carter-Roag Coal Co., is still hauling Sewell coal, despite the loss of the usual destination for its coal because of the war in Ukraine. United Coal supplies the mammoth Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, but the plant was devastated by Russian […]

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Maintain your large-scale equipment

Model locomotive upside down on towel

It makes good sense to maintain your large-scale equipment. Basic maintenance is the key to reliable operation. There are several simple things you can do to keep your trains running through the garden. Basic locomotive maintenance Many manufacturers include exploded drawings or written instructions on how to properly lubricate the gears. All moving parts should […]

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How the Model Railroader staff conducts product reviews

Ever wonder how a model railroad product gets reviewed? Eric White and Cody Grivno walk you through the process in this exclusive video! Trains.com Product Review videos showcase the latest new items from manufacturers of products in Z, N, HO, S, O, and large scales. In the videos, you can watch locomotives in action, take a close-up […]

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How the Model Railroader staff conducts product reviews

Ever wonder how a model railroad product gets reviewed? Eric White and Cody Grivno walk you through the process in this exclusive video! Trains.com Product Review videos showcase the latest new items from manufacturers of products in Z, N, HO, S, O, and large scales. In the videos, you can watch locomotives in action, take a close-up […]

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Fairbanks-Morse road-switcher

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Virginian Railway H16-44 No. 36 was one of 430 B-B road-switchers Fairbanks-Morse built between 1947 and its 1963 exit from the market. The coal-hauling road dieselized completely with FM B-B and C-C road-switchers, plus one GE 44-tonner. C. R. Huff photo […]

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Atlas Model Railroad Co. Electro-Motive Division SD24

Screen capture of video clip.

A new run of Electro-Motive Division SD24 diesel locomotives is available now from Atlas Model Railroad Co. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he hosts a Product Review video of this HO scale six-axle road locomotive. See the details and lighting effects, listen to the sounds from the dual-mode ESU LokSound decoder, and watch it […]

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