Ask MR: Why do my tender’s wheels bottom out on turnouts?

A diagram of a train wheel in cross section with various dimensions labeled

Q: I have an N scale Model Power 4-6-2 steam engine whose tender derails on my Atlas code 55 turnouts. Though the major problem was related to the drawbar, I also found that the tender’s wheel flanges were bottoming out through the frog’s shallow flangeways. I thought when I bought the engine many years ago that […]

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California High-Speed Rail Authority seeks permission for route changes

California High Speed Rail Authority logo

WASHINGTON — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has filed two petitions with the Surface Transportation Board to reopen proceedings to make changes to two aspects of its high speed rail line under construction in the Central Valley. The first document seeks to reexamine an exemption granted for 65 miles of high-speed line between Merced and […]

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Shay locomotive to be displayed in inventor’s Michigan hometown

Steam locomotive displayed behind fence among trees

HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. — An important piece of American steam locomotive logging history is being relocated from its display site of more than 50 years in Texas to an appropriate place in Michigan. In the town of Harbor Springs, a Shay locomotive will be restored and displayed in the town where inventor Ephiram Shay came […]

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B&O Railroad Museum receives grant to restore Pullman tavern-observation car

Exterior of two-tone passenger rail car

BALTIMORE – The B&O Railroad Museum has obtained a $500,000 grant to cosmetically restore both the exterior and interior of the former Baltimore & Ohio Washington Pullman observation-tavern car No. 3316 built in 1949. The funds, to be matched 1:1 with other contributons come from the Federal Saving America’s Treasures program. That is a National […]

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Norfolk Southern wins praise for expanded less-than-carload expedited service

man in suit speaking

CHICAGO — Norfolk Southern’s experimental less-than-carload expedited boxcar service has been expanded and has won praise as an example of how railroads can take freight off highways. The Thoroughbred Freight Transfer service — launched in July linking Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami — now includes lanes connecting Croxton, N.J., with Chicago and Atlanta, Ed Elkins, the […]

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Len Smith’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Len Smith’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 24 x 27 feet Track and switches: Atlas O (diameters range from 54 to 99 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Weaver Controls: Lionel types KW and ZW, MTH no. Z-4000 (2) transformers with MTH Digital Command […]

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‘California Zephyr’ preview

Streamlined and heavyweight passenger train on steel trestle

‘California Zephyr’ preview In the months before the California Zephyr’s March 20, 1949, launch, the new train’s cars began filtering into the heavyweight consist of its predecessor on the CB&Q-DRGW-WP route, the Exposition Flyer, seen here on the Western Pacific at Keddie, Calif., with a baggage car and two domes built for the streamliner. Donald […]

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News & products for the week of September 23, 2021

America Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 50 2-10-0 steam locomotive.

Large scale locomotives Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 50 2-10-0 steam locomotive. Molded and separate, factory-applied parts, including lights, brake cylinders, bumpers, smokestack, tanks, piping, and handrails; hook-and-loop couplers; and can-type ball-bearing motor. Direct-current model can be upgraded with PIKO locomotive decoder no. 36125 and sound kit no. 36230, both sold separately. Direct-current model, $1,499.99; with PIKO […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, structure, DVD, and calendar announcements for September 23, 2021

North County Transit District Sprinter DMU-operated commuter train.

Product news 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. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of September 23, 2021. HO scale locomotives 4-6-6-4 Challenger steam locomotive. Denver & […]

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