It might be a warm summer morning in the early 1950s on the Illinois Central near Clinton, Ill.; or maybe a cold January day along the Pere Marquette outside of Grand Rapids, Mich. There’s the sound of a fast-running steam locomotive in the distance … the railroad’s in a hurry with something today. Shortly an […]
I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]
Classic Trains Film Archive | Riding on the Norfolk & Western and Grand Trunk Western, J. David Ingles Reel 0051 – Ride trains on the Norfolk & Western, see colorful operations around Kansas City, and explore little-known lines in western Illinois with J. David Ingles. Plus, experience a Michigan snowstorm from the train and ride […]
Diesel-electric locomotives are the backbone of modern-day railroading, offering the power and efficiency needed to haul freight and passenger trains across vast distances. Although much of railroading is dominated by relatively new and popular design models, some rare units continue to operate in various capacities today. Here’s a look at some of these gems. GP15D […]
Broadway Limited has released a new run of its N scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel locomotive. The end-cab switcher features a die-cast metal body and chassis, all-wheel electrical pickup, factory-applied detail parts, and body-mounted couplers. The prototype Electro-Motive Division built the NW2 from February 1939 through December 1949. Production was paused from 1942 to 1945 […]
Rapido HO FM H16-44 diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $225; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $335 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO FM H16-44 diesel features: Carbodies with and without dynamic brakes Dofasco or Fairbanks-Morse trucks as appropriate Illuminated number boxes, headlights, and green and […]
News & Products for the week of July 7th 2025 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 July 7th, […]
Facts and features Name: Willoughby LineScale: HO and HOn3 (1:87.1)Size: 13 x 22 feetPrototype: proto-freelancedLocale: California’s Central Valley and Sierra NevadaEra: 1935-1950Style: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 180 feetMinimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: L-girder and plywood brackets (upper deck)Height: 40 to 60 inchesRoadbed: HomasoteTrack: Micro Engineering codes 55, 70, and 83 flextrackScenery: Hydrocal hard […]
Facts and features Name: Buffalo & Susquehanna to Wellsville, Addison & GaletonScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 12′-4″ x 32′-0″Prototype: Buffalo & Susquehanna and Wellsville, Addison & GaletonLocale: north central PennsylvaniaEra: spring 1910 and spring 1950Style: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 96 feetMinimum radius: 22″Minimum turnout: No. 8Maximum grade: upper level and lower staging, 2%; middle level, noneBenchwork: wall mountedHeight: […]
I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]
We are working on a new special issue! Classic Toy Trains’ next special interest publication features 14 layouts you can visit across the United States, from the The Choo Choo Barn, the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Illinois Railway Museum, and much more. Plus, find a handy reference map and […]
Q: I have some N scale cars from Micro-Trains. Recently, I swapped out the factory-installed plastic wheelsets with metal wheelsets, but now the cars don’t roll freely. What can I do to fix this? — Kelly Walton-Harper A: Metal wheelsets aren’t one-size-fits all. The first thing you’ll want to check is wheel size, as it’s […]
