Lionel New York Central Legacy Dreyfuss J3 Hudson

steam locomotive on layout

As a child I remember my parents buying me a big book filled with photos of the New York Central Railroad. The book cover featured a unique steam locomotive. I was too young to understand its significance, but I knew that this locomotive stood out from every other train I had seen. Its beauty left […]

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Western Maryland Scenic begins fundraising to return steam locomotives 1309, 734 to operation

Black steam engine with photo freight comes around a horseshoe curve

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has launched a fundraising campaign to return both its steam locomotives — 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 and 2-8-0 No. 734 — to operation, with No. 1309 newly sidelined after the discovery it needs its pistons and rods replaced. The former Cheaspeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 has been the heritage railroad’s […]

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News & Products for the week of January 8th 2024

A model flatcar with a steel ladle load

News & Products for the week of January 8th 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 8th […]

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Locomotives We Love: MTH Premier Santa Fe No. 2926

O scale model steam locomotive

What toy train locomotive means the most to you? It’s a locomotive that’s not a childhood treasure, let alone having been part of my O-gauge collection for only 8 months now. And while being on my general radar for some time, it wasn’t a particular model I prioritized in searching for. Perhaps it was ultimately […]

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The South’s ultimate 4-8-4: Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Dixies

Example of Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Dixies 4-8-4 steam locomotives pointed away from camera

The 4-8-4 steam locomotive wheel arrangement was exemplified in the South by the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Dixies.     Of all the regions in the U.S., the South had the fewest of what might be called the ultimate dual-service “modern” steam locomotive, that is, engines with four-wheel trailing trucks, especially 4-8-4s. An agrarian […]

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Steam locomotives returning to service for the full 2024 season

Steam powered passenger train crosses trestle bridge with fall foliage in the background.

A plethora of steam locomotives made comebacks in late 2023 after being out of service for extended periods of time. Expect these primed-and-ready locomotives to return to service for the full 2024 season. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad No. 8419 As a reminder of the twilight of steam locomotive manufacturing in the world, No. 8419 […]

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New England Fall Colors by Rail (2025)

New England Sign up for the New England rail tour: Special Interest Tours and Trains Magazine bring you a rail excursion tour like no other. From Oct. 2-9, join rail enthusiasts and Trains Senior Editor David Lassen on a fully private-car adventure. Enjoy spending the colorful 2025 fall season exploring the best of New England’s […]

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Canada’s Waterloo Central purchases Canadian Pacific 4-6-2

Men with oversized check next to steam locomotive

WATERLOO, Ontario — The Waterloo Central Railway has purchased former Canadian Pacific Railway G5c 4-6-2 No. 1238 and intends to restore the locomotive to operation, according to the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society, the nonprofit organization that operates the heritage railway. The locomotive was purchased for $150,000 from Vintage Locomotive Society Inc. of Winnipeg, Manitoba, […]

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News & Products for the week of January 3rd 2024

A model factory structure

News & Products for the week of January 3rd 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 3rd […]

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