Digest: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad sets schedule, to resume operation May 1

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad logo

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to resume operation May 1 Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will resume operation May 1 with National Park Scenic rides operating through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Trains will operate three days a week (Friday through Sunday) in May and five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday) beginning in June. “We look […]

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Study will consider conversion of Milwaukee Road 261 to burn oil

Steam locomotive pulls passenger train

MINNEAPOLIS – The Friends of the 261, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Milwaukee Road S-3 class 4-8-4 No. 261, has launched a study to consider converting the locomotive from coal to oil firing. Friends of the 261 President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Sandberg said the group is conducting a feasibility study and […]

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Deciphering the Baldwin Locomotive Works classification system

Baldwin 0-4-0T built for the Baltimore & Ohio in 1912.

History of the Baldwin classification system The Baldwin classification system originated in 1842, when Asa Whitney was a partner of M.W. Baldwin and continued in use until 1938. The system was based on use of a letter to designate the number of pairs of driving wheels on a steam locomotive. The letter A designated a […]

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How to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

A steam locomotive-hauled passenger train navigating a rocky slope as seen from a car in the rear of the train.

Introduction to the Durango & Silverton A trip to Colorado to see and ride a narrow gauge railroad is essential for anyone with an interest in great steam railroading in the Rocky Mountains. Colorado has several railroads worth visiting (in fact, we offer, in conjunction with Special Interest Tours, a week-long trip to visit them […]

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Operating the N scale Bachmann 4-6-4 Hudson with sound; SD80MAC; iron ore book review

Man holding book at table with model trains.

In this installment, Cody test-runs Bachmann’s new sound-equipped N scale New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson, as well as Athearn’s Genesis 2.0 HO scale SD80MAC. He also looks at Jeff Wilson’s latest book, The Model Railroader’s Guide to Iron Ore Railroads. In addition, Cody shares tips about using Rails Unlimited reproduction railroad industry directories to improve […]

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Operating the N scale Bachmann 4-6-4 Hudson with sound; SD80MAC; iron ore book review

Man holding book at table with model trains.

In this installment, Cody test-runs Bachmann’s new sound-equipped N scale New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson, as well as Athearn’s Genesis 2.0 HO scale SD80MAC. He also looks at Jeff Wilson’s latest book, The Model Railroader’s Guide to Iron Ore Railroads. In addition, Cody shares tips about using Rails Unlimited reproduction railroad industry directories to improve […]

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Durango & Silverton to resume trips to Silverton in May

Steam locomotive leads train onto dirt street

DURANGO,Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will resume service to Silverton, cut off last season by a bridge washout, on May 22, as part of its summer-fall 2021 schedule, with shorter Cascade Canyon Express excursions on May 1. The railroad announced it will operate one train daily to Silverton May 22 to […]

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The Odyssey of UP 2488 on the Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway

The Odyssey of UP 2488 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: The Odyssey of UP 2488 on the Jericho & Mt Zion Railway. AristoCraft 2-8-2 live-steam Mikado makes the run with a local freight.   […]

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The Odyssey of UP 2488 on the Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway

The Odyssey of UP 2488 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: The Odyssey of UP 2488 on the Jericho & Mt Zion Railway. AristoCraft 2-8-2 live-steam Mikado makes the run with a local freight.   […]

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