An afternoon passenger train run on the Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era Description: J&MtZ 4-6-0 #17 makes the run with the afternoon passenger train. Music from Epidemic Sound, “Waiting […]
Big Boy locomotive models: Union Pacific’s 25-strong fleet of 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotives evoke images of fast freight, vast Western scenes, and the pinnacle of steam railroading in North America during and just after World War II. Model makers over the years have helped model railroaders capture the essence of that special 1940s to […]
10 essential tools to start building New to the model railroad hobby, I started exploring the world of tools and kit building over the past 90 days. As a result, I compiled the 10 essential tool kit below. This is just the bare bones needed to begin building your first plastic kit. It’s not an […]
Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era. Description: Moonlight extra – Gas Electric M-2 “Sadiebug” runs an extra passenger service on the Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway on a cold and snowy evening. Music from Epidemic […]
Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era. Description: The J&MtZ No. 20 runs an extra freight train for railfans on a rainy March day. Ride along on J&MtZ Caboose 02 as we tour the railroad. Watch […]
Lionel’s no. 397 coal loader In 1948, Lionel introduced a new coal loader that needed just one track and a dump car to run. Senior Editor Roger Carp explains the history of this coal loader, what was included in the box with your purchase, and how it changed over the years. He explains what makes […]
Buying used track: You’ve heard the old saying, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Well, for model railroaders – as tempting as it sounds – saving money by buying used track may not be the bargain it seems. Repurposing a few pieces of track might help you purchase another boxcar or perhaps a few […]
Long-time Garden Railways contributor Eric Schade shows off running and plowing scenes on his Winneance & Quebec Railway. The scenes have it all: double-headed steam locomotives, craftsman-level coaches, snowy scenes and more! Schade creates his garden railroad empire in Maine. […]
An American Car & Foundry (ACF) 5,250-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper makes its debut in the Atlas Model Railroad Co. Master Plus line. The HO scale model has prototype-specific hatch and outlet configurations; separate, factory-applied wire grab irons and wire brake lines; and metal couplers. The ACF 5250 Center Flow made its debut in November 1964. The […]
Model train scales come in a handful of commercial sizes. Among the most popular model train scales in North America are HO, N, O and G. However, these letters stand in for very specific ratios that tell modelers what fraction they are using to scale, or model, reality. What is a model train scale? Scales […]
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]
