To continue this informative series of videos from Classic Toy Trains magazine, David Popp shares info and insights on the wide array of O gauge track systems, sizes, and styles you can use to build a toy train layout! […]
Rail profiles through time from file: TRN-TC0513 Illustration: Rick Johnson Q: Why and when did rails get their profile? — Rozier Smith A: The basic shape, or profile, of rails that we see today: chucky head, thin web, and wide base, has its roots railroading as early as 1789, according to an illustration Trains printed […]
Cincinnati Southern Railway website Q: The city of Cincinnati owns the CNO&TP line running from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, Tenn., which Norfolk Southern leases from the city. Does the city of Cincinnati also own and lease yards along the line to NS, or does NS own these yards outright? — Doug Lathrem, Bowling Green, Ky. A: […]
Conrail C36-7 No. 6628 works an eastbound train in New York’s Southern Tier east of Lanesboro, Pa., near the Pennsylvania-New York border in 1985. This section of track has a grade, what percentage that shows up on a track chart is determined by how precise the charts are. TEH-11062-18 Michael S. Murray Q: Some […]
Various Santa Fe SF30C units are seen in storage at Argentine Yard, in Argentine, Kan., in 1983. Several of these locomotives have rotary or flashing beacons on their cab roofs for safety. TEH-14212-34 Ivan Abrams Q: Why did some railroads use flashing or rotary beacons atop their diesels? And do any railroads use them anymore? […]
EDITOR’S NOTE: Trains readers aren’t the only ones to wonder about happenings in the railroad world. Trains editors and friends recently shared an email discussion about why two Class I railroads near Trains’ headquarters removed a connection at a diamond crossover. Here’s a condensed, edited version of the best explanation we’ve seen: A: I would […]
EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Indeed, that’s OTR host Gerry Leone joining David Popp to answer your hobby-related questions in this month’s Ask MRVP! DCC wiring, benchwork assembly, Kalmbach archive videos, painting, and more, are all addressed in this episode. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Indeed, that’s OTR host Gerry Leone joining David Popp to answer your hobby-related questions in this month’s Ask MRVP! DCC wiring, benchwork assembly, Kalmbach archive videos, painting, and more, are all addressed in this episode. […]
Download this free 32-page PDF to learn how to easily spot Lionel locomotive repaints and recognize Lionel restorations. This free download will help collectors identify authentic Lionel trains. […]
Use prototypical railroads to design more realistic layouts, build accurate track arrangements, and plan for the future. […]
Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Oil-burning Union Pacific Challenger no. 3977 pulls a special through the Rocky Mountains on Paul Brennecke’s N scale Grand Line model train layout. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Download […]
