Remembering Ann Arbor Railroad passenger trains

Ann Arbor 4-4-2 steam locomotive with passenger train at station.

  Ann Arbor Railroad photographs are among the tens of thousands housed in the David P. Morgan Library at Kalmbach Media. This week’s selection highlights the short and fairly short distance passenger trains that zipped across the Ann Arbor’s lines. Please enjoy this gallery, only from Classic Trains! […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

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Remembering the Ann Arbor Railroad

An engineer receives paper orders from a hoop in a red-painted locomotive leading a freight train.

History of the Ann Arbor Railroad The Ann Arbor Railroad was as much a steamship line as a railroad. Built from Toledo, Ohio, northwest to Frankfort, Mich., it existed for one reason — to move freight in car ferries across Lake Michigan to bypass Chicago. From 1910 to 1968, “the Annie” operated 320 car ferry […]

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Locomotives of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway

A steam switching locomotive.

  Locomotives are the focus of this week’s Classic Trains salute to the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. The NYO&W is Classic Trains’ Railroad of the Month for November 2020. You might also enjoy an article outlining the Old and Weary’s history, a passenger train photo gallery, or an all-freight train photo gallery. We hope […]

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Freight trains of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway

Steam locomotive with freight train on deck-truss bridge

Enjoy this freight trains photo gallery of the NYO&W, the November 2020 Railroad of the Month   Freight trains Freight trains are the focus of this week’s Classic Trains’ salute to the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. The NYO&W is Classic Trains’ Railroad of the Month for November 2020. You might also enjoy an article […]

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How-to Library: Building a turntable, Part 7 – Add finishing details and scenery

Building a turntable, Part 7 - Add finishing details and scenery

David Popp’s O scale laser-cut wood turntable kit is now completely assembled! The project build concludes as he shows how to add appropriate earth, grass, and ballast scenery to the pit, before securing small detail parts (e.g., nut-bolt-washer castings). […]

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How-to Library: Building a turntable, Part 7 – Add finishing details and scenery

Building a turntable, Part 7 - Add finishing details and scenery

David Popp’s O scale laser-cut wood turntable kit is now completely assembled! The project build concludes as he shows how to add appropriate earth, grass, and ballast scenery to the pit, before securing small detail parts (e.g., nut-bolt-washer castings). […]

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Remembering New York, Ontario & Western passenger trains

Cab unit diesel locomotive leads a passenger train.

  All through November 2020, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the charm and notoriety of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway that spanned central New York State. Check out this photo gallery of “Old & Weary” passenger trains from the archives of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. If you like this gallery, you […]

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Remembering Pacific Electric Railway locomotives

A steeple cab electric freight motor surrounded by other freight equipment.

  All this month, October 2020, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the legacy and heritage of the Pacific Electric Railway. This week, we’re featuring the motley mix of electric, diesel-electric, diesel-mechanical, and steam locomotives that all operated on the Pacific Electric in Southern California. If you like this photo gallery, you might also like a […]

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Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 3, Doors and Windows

Renee Grosser's model farmhouse.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Expert modeler Renee Grosser demonstrates how she makes window and door openings in the O scale structures she likes to scratchbuild using sheet styrene material. You’ll also see how she prepares some of the finishing details and weathering effects for her farmhouse project. […]

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