Tune up your toy train equipment

hand holding oil next to model train

Christmas is just around the corner so it’s time to make sure seasonal train displays are ready to deliver holiday fun – toy train style! Let’s start with locomotives and rolling stock.   Inspection, oil, and grease Before trying to run anything, I recommend doing a preliminary inspection. Now is the time to replace broken […]

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Partnership to restore D&RGW No. 223 C-16

Black and white Denver & Rio Grande Western 2-8-0 steam locomotive.

OGDEN, Utah — The City of Ogden, the 223 Locomotive Foundation, and the Colorado Railroad Museum have announced plans for an operational restoration of Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 223. The 2-8-0 locomotive is one of three remaining C-16 class engines built in 1881. It is the only remaining C-16 built by Grant Locomotive […]

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Mount Washington Cog Railway rescues hikers

red diesel-powered cog railway train heading up mountain.

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. — It was the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the rescue on Saturday, Oct. 25. The railroad transported more than 20 hikers, who were not prepared for conditions, from atop New Hampshire’s Mount Washington back to the base of the mountain. A number of the group were showing signs of hypothermia when […]

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T1 No. 5550 cylinders nearing completion

Unfinished T1 steam locomotive cylinder temporarily mounted to engine frame.

Pennsylvania Railroad No. 5550 continues to move toward reality. The T1 Trust reports that cylinder fabrication is now nearly 66% complete. Overall, the new locomotive is about 53% done. Two prototypes of the 4-4-4-4 duplex design were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1947. The Pennsy liked what they saw and between 1945 and […]

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Union Pacific plans to send the Big Boy from coast to coast for America’s 250th

Fence separates spectators from steaming and smoking steam locomotive on curve

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific plans to send Big Boy No. 4014 on a transcontinental trip next year as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. “I want to run Big Boy across the country,” CEO Jim Vena told Trains on Thursday. Vena says that he’s had discussions with Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George about […]

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A big paint job

Large black and grey steam locomotive in a park.

Two Union Pacific paint technicians from Jenks Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., spent 7 weeks in Omaha, Neb., repainting Big Boy No. 4023 displayed in Kenefick Park on the grounds of Lauritzen Gardens. The 4-8-8-4 along with DDA40X No. 6900 welcome travelers from their location above I-80. The project involved considerable sand blasting to […]

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Durango & Silverton resumes full-route excursions

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad logo

DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge has resumed trips to Silverton following repairs to flood-damaged tracks. The Durango Herald reports excursions over the full length over the 45.4-mile route resumed on Saturday (Oct. 18) after several days of abbreviated trips to Cascade Canyon, about 26 miles. Trips to Silverton had been suspended […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Third & Townsend Models President Jay Escamilla

Trains.com sits down with Third & Townsend Models President Jay Escamilla on October 15, 2025, to discuss the recent amalgamation of Sunset Models, 3rd Rail, and Golden Gate Depot brands, and what it means for modelers. Jay details the companies’ commitment to producing the most prototypically accurate O (1:48) and HO (1:87.1) scale models in […]

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