To continue this informative series of videos from Classic Toy Trains magazine, David Popp shares info and insights on the wide array of O gauge track systems, sizes, and styles you can use to build a toy train layout! […]
Rail profiles through time from file: TRN-TC0513 Illustration: Rick Johnson Q: Why and when did rails get their profile? — Rozier Smith A: The basic shape, or profile, of rails that we see today: chucky head, thin web, and wide base, has its roots railroading as early as 1789, according to an illustration Trains printed […]
Cincinnati Southern Railway website Q: The city of Cincinnati owns the CNO&TP line running from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, Tenn., which Norfolk Southern leases from the city. Does the city of Cincinnati also own and lease yards along the line to NS, or does NS own these yards outright? — Doug Lathrem, Bowling Green, Ky. A: […]
Conrail C36-7 No. 6628 works an eastbound train in New York’s Southern Tier east of Lanesboro, Pa., near the Pennsylvania-New York border in 1985. This section of track has a grade, what percentage that shows up on a track chart is determined by how precise the charts are. TEH-11062-18 Michael S. Murray Q: Some […]
Various Santa Fe SF30C units are seen in storage at Argentine Yard, in Argentine, Kan., in 1983. Several of these locomotives have rotary or flashing beacons on their cab roofs for safety. TEH-14212-34 Ivan Abrams Q: Why did some railroads use flashing or rotary beacons atop their diesels? And do any railroads use them anymore? […]
EDITOR’S NOTE: Trains readers aren’t the only ones to wonder about happenings in the railroad world. Trains editors and friends recently shared an email discussion about why two Class I railroads near Trains’ headquarters removed a connection at a diamond crossover. Here’s a condensed, edited version of the best explanation we’ve seen: A: I would […]
EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will appoint a mediator to resolve differences in long-simmering operating agreement negotiations between Amtrak and Canadian National. The agency’s decision, released late last week, provides a rare glimpse inside a document which governs on time performance measurement, financial incentives, and penalties. Amtrak and its hosts generally keep contract details […]
Atlas Master Series N scale EMD SD35 diesel A split die-cast metal frame surrounds the mechanism and provides electrical contact between the power pickups on the trucks and the decoder. The Electro-Motive Division SD35 is one of the latest Atlas Master Series N scale locomotives to be upgraded with factory-installed Digital Command Control (DCC) and […]
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale P5a NOTE: We ran an earlier sample of the P5A on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy model railroad. WATCH THE VIDEO! The boxcabs are back! Broadway Limited allowed us to get a sneak preview of its new HO scale Pennsylvania RR P5a electrics, and now we have production models […]
Athearn ACF Center Flow covered hopper An American Car & Foundry (ACF) 4,600-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper is the latest freight car to join the Athearn Genesis lineup. The HO scale model is offered in three body styles and features see-through etched-metal running boards, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and 100-ton trucks with rotating bearing caps. […]
Tangent’s HO scale GATX 1952 tank cars feature prototype-specific domes The cars are equipped with metal grab irons, see-through running boards, and Kadee scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Tangent Scale Models has released an HO scale model of an 8,000-gallon General American Tank Lines (GATX) 1952 general-service tank car. The finely detailed, ready-to-run model represents a […]
