Rapido Trains N scale Turboliner

Color photo of red, white, and blue streamlined locomotive on N scale layout.

The Rapido Trains N scale Turboliner, based on the Rohr Industries prototype from the mid-1970s, recently paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the RTL Turboliner, points out the details on a 5-car set, and demonstrates the […]

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Amtrak GP40 diesel locomotives

Silver-and-black diesel Amtrak GP40 diesel locomotives with red, white, and blue stripes

Amtrak GP40 diesel locomotives came in two flavors: eight former GO Transit GP40TCs acquired in October 1988 and 15 straight GP40s leased between May 1991 and June 1993. The 3,000 hp GP40 is a standard bearer of freight motive power in the second half of the 20th century. Introduced by EMD in 1968, the model […]

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Olli’s Railroad in large scale

Facts and features   Name: Olli’s RailroadScale: large scale (1:29)Size: 20 x 430 feetPrototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Burlington NorthernLocale: American WestEra: 1970s and 1980sStyle: walkaround gardenMainline run: 850 feetMinimum radius: 7 feetMinimum turnout: LGB R5 (main), LGB R3 (industrial area)Maximum grade: 1.2%Benchwork: welded steel framework backfilled with earthHeight: 19″ to 38″Roadbed: noneTrack: […]

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Athearn HO scale GE P40DC

Screen grab of title screen from Product Review video.

The Athearn HO scale GE P40DC diesel locomotive is back, this time with new tooling and operating strobe lights. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of Amtrak No. 813, points out the numerous details on the Genesis-series model, and demonstrates the sound and light functions. Then sit back and watch […]

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Athearn HO scale GE P40DC

Screen grab of title screen from Product Review video.

The Athearn HO scale GE P40DC diesel locomotive is back, this time with new tooling and operating strobe lights. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of Amtrak No. 813, points out the numerous details on the Genesis-series model, and demonstrates the sound and light functions. Then sit back and watch […]

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Classic Trains Film Archive | Pacific Northwest and California, J. David Ingles Reel 103

Classic Trains Film Archive | Pacific Northwest and California, J. David Ingles Reel 103 – Through the lens of J. David Ingles, you’ll see the Canadian Pacific, Great Northern, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific; and other roads as he ventured into the Pacific Northwest and California too. Dave rides along Puget Sound with his sights set […]

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Broadway Limited N Reading T-1 4-8-4

Color photo of N scale steam locomotive on scenic base.

An unusual steam locomotive, born of wartime necessity, has joined Broadway Limited Imports’ N scale lineup. The Reading Co. class T-1 4-8-4 Northern, converted from 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives near the end of World War II, mostly handled fast freight, but also pulled passenger and coal trains. In 1945, wartime restrictions kept Reading from buying new […]

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Valpo Dummy commuter train

An amtrak train passes in front of industrial structures

Indiana’s Valpo Dummy commuter train could not garner the public support and funding needed to survive into the modern era. In the 1890s, the Pennsylvania Railroad began operating commuter trains between Chicago and Valparaiso, Ind. Over the next century the service remained largely frozen in time, with operations changing relatively little as the trains passed […]

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Rapido N scale ore hopper

Color photo showing pair of N scale freight cars.

A National Steel Car short-barrel ore hopper has joined the growing N scale freight car lineup from Rapido Trains. The ready-to-run car has Barber S-2 100-ton trucks; 36” metal wheelsets; and see-through, etched-metal crossover platforms. Prototype history The samples we received are decorated as Canadian National 346029, from the railroad’s 346000 through 346084 series, and […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale portrays a bridge line operation connecting the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ CS&P HO scale model railroad portrays a bridge line operation connecting Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest setting — where you’ll […]

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The Canada, Spokane & Pacific layout in HO scale

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features   Name: Canada, Spokane & PacificScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 32 x 43 feetPrototypes: Burlington Northern, Canadian PacificLocale: Pacific NorthwestEra: June 1981Style: walk-inMainline run: 260 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 39″ to 46″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 83 flextrackScenery: plaster gauze over cardboard web covered with Structolite Backdrop: LARC Products photo […]

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