By the 1850s, railroad operating rules, often printed as pamphlets or on the back of a time card, had evolved to near universal application on all/most railroads. On April 14, 1887 representatives of 48 railroads voted for the adoption of what is now known as the Standard Code of Operating Rules (SCOR), published by the […]
Tag: Beginners
Model Railroader June 2018 desktop wallpaper
Click on the links at left to download the image sized for your computer screen. It’s early June in Washington, and the Great Northern’s Fast Mail is running late on Lee Marsh’s HO scale layout. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Download the 1600 x 900 […]
‘X’ locomotive number
Southern Pacific cab-forward 4-8-8-2 No. 4219 leads an extra train at Dunsmuir, Calif., in August 1948. Guy L. Dunscomb, Martin E. Hansen collection Q On some early Union Pacific and Southern Pacific steam and diesel locomotives there is an “X” in front of the number. Why is this done? – Leon Bassik, Langhorne, Pa. A […]
Ask MRVP: Episode 35
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, host David Popp returns to a topic first addressed in the May 2018 show. Who knew there are so many ways to bend styrene? David demonstrates some of your suggestions, and then turns to other topics related to T-Trak modules, […]
Ask MRVP: Episode 35
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, host David Popp returns to a topic first addressed in the May 2018 show. Who knew there are so many ways to bend styrene? David demonstrates some of your suggestions, and then turns to other topics related to T-Trak modules, […]
Nitrogen blankets
Q I heard the term “nitrogen blanket” in reference to a tank car. Could you explain what this is and what types of tank cars have these nitrogen blankets? – Mike Riley, Manchester, Mo. A The term “nitrogen blanket” refers to a padding (or a layer) of nitrogen gas put into a tank car to: […]
First trestle crossing
The first trestle crossing of the season, but trouble may be ahead! […]
Computer desktop wallpaper from the May 2018 Model Railroader
Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. On a late fall afternoon, a New York Central Niagara departs Ellison with an express while a Pennsylvania RR E6 Atlantic picks up a cut of cars. Paul Kahne shot the photo on Lee Gasparik’s O scale Pennsylvania & […]
Ask MRVP: Episode 34
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp has shed his skis and winter gear and he’s now ready to spring into action answering your hobby questions! In this episode David addresses topics ranging from turnout control to locomotive repair to structure modeling. Watch, learn, and then pitch […]
Ask MRVP: Episode 34
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp has shed his skis and winter gear and he’s now ready to spring into action answering your hobby questions! In this episode David addresses topics ranging from turnout control to locomotive repair to structure modeling. Watch, learn, and then pitch […]
Build a better layout
A decade ago, Dick Christianson, the founding editor of Classic Toy Trains, and I began work on what became the O gauge Lionel Lines/Santa Fe layout. With help from CTT staff members, who dutifully ventured to Dick’s suburban basement every Tuesday night, we spent countless hours planning, thinking, changing our minds, and making false starts […]
Where diesels go to the doctor
Home for the heaviest rebuild, repair, and repaint work on the Norfolk Southern system is the sprawling former Pennsylvania Railroad Juniata Shops in Altoona, Pa. The backshop is the heart of this operation in the Keystone State. Alex Mayes Diesel locomotives are amazing. They are built to withstand the rigors of service, running 24 hours […]
