Q: On the Winston-Salem Southbound Tar Branch project layout there were three small industries in the middle. Do you have the brands and descriptions of the structures used? — Andy Sestak Before I answer your question, Andy, I want to back up a step to catch everyone up to speed. The Winston-Salem Southbound Tar Branch […]
Contrary to popular belief, modeling an urban scene doesn’t require a bunch of space. Want proof? Check out the Winston-Salem Southbound, our 2018 project layout, shown in the photo above. The 2’-9” x 8’-2” HO scale shelf layout depicted the railroad’s Tar Branch in Winston-Salem, N.C. It featured more than a half-dozen rail-served industries, as […]
The Motive Power Industries (MPI) MP36PH-3C, a modern four-axle commuter diesel locomotive, is now available from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The HO scale Master Line model, based on True Line Trains tooling, features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, light-emitting-diode lighting, and metal knuckle couplers. The prototype Our sample is decorated as Metra 403, part […]
Join Trains.com staff member Sean Kirby as he rides onboard a Renfe Alvia high-speed train for the first leg of his return trip from Spain. Under the first light of the day, you’ll venture with Sean to the modern Segovia Guiomar station, 40 miles north of Madrid. After scanning your ticket, you’ll descend to the […]
Q: Why are the flanges on model steam engine drive wheels so much larger than on the prototypes? Is it because the models don’t weigh very much? Or is it because they have to navigate tight curves? And do larger scales (like G scale and live-steam models) have flanges that are closer to the prototypes? […]
In addition to Amtrak’s long-distance, regional, and high-speed Acela trains, the Northeast Corridor (NEC) hosts multiple commuter entities across different sections. From Boston to Washington D.C., find out where each of these services travel along this highly active main line. These are the commuter rail systems along the Northeast Corridor. It’s important to note that […]
The General Electric Dash 8-40CM diesel locomotive is back in the Rapido Trains product lineup. The redesigned six-axle road locomotive features a newly tooled fuel tank, cab interior, and trucks; railroad-specific details; and full underbody details. Prototype history General Electric (GE) produced the Dash 8-40CM from February 1990 through March 1994. During the course of […]
Q: Please explain how to tell the difference between horizontal and vertical cut rail nippers. — Dave Smith A: To answer your question, I turned to a blog on the Xuron Corp. website. The well-known manufacturer of hobby tools, based in Saco, Maine, recommends using its 2175B track cutters on new installations. The tool, which […]
Model Railroader’s famed 28 x 54-foot, HO scale staff layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, is no more. The layout, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024, began as a concept in Kalmbach Media’s downtown Milwaukee offices in 1975. I won’t attempt to write the full history of the layout; indeed, there is likely no […]
An American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot capacity two-bay Center Flow covered hopper is now part of Athearn’s Genesis series. The N scale model, which we last reviewed in the June 2010 issue, still features injection-molded plastic construction, body-mounted couplers, and metal wheelsets. Among the product upgrades are rubber train line hoses; separate, factory-applied uncoupling levers; […]
The much-anticipated InterMountain HO scale GP16 diesel locomotive recently arrived at our new Brookfield headquarters. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief prototype history of the Seaboard Coast Line-rebuilt engines and United States Army No. 4630, points out the various detail parts, and demonstrates the sound and light features on […]
The much-anticipated InterMountain HO scale GP16 diesel locomotive recently arrived at our new Brookfield headquarters. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief prototype history of the Seaboard Coast Line-rebuilt engines and United States Army No. 4630, points out the various detail parts, and demonstrates the sound and light features on […]
