Norfolk Southern’s business cars

Q What happened to the permanently coupled two business cars, the “Virginia” and the “Carolina,” that the Southern Railway provided for its president and chairman?— Bob Sewell, Marysville, Wash. A The Virginia (NS 1) and the Carolina (NS 2) have been paired since they were built in 1928. Pullman originally constructed them for Southern Railway. […]

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Kato USA HO scale Metra equipment

Kato HO scale Metra equipment

Kato HO scale Metra equipment Instantly recognizable to Chicago-area railfans and commuters, the Metra paint scheme now adorns Kato’s HO scale Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel-electric locomotive and Pullman-Standard bi-level coaches. The diesel is newly detailed to match the Metra prototype as it appeared in the 2000s. Model Railroader first reviewed the F40PH and Pullman bi-level […]

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Walthers HO scale SD9 diesel locomotive

Walthers HO scale SD9 diesel locomotive

Walthers HO scale SD9 diesel locomotive A classic six-axle road switcher has returned to the WalthersProto line. The HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD9 features a dual-mode QSI Quantum sound system, railroad-specific details, and wire grab irons. Electro-Motive Division produced the SD9 from January 1954 through June 1959. During that time, 471 units were built. The […]

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CVP Products T5000E wireless Digital Command Control throttle

CVP Products T5000E wireless DCC throttle

CVP Products T5000E wireless DCC throttle A new, easy to use wireless Digital Command Control throttle is available from CVP Products. The model T5000E replaces earlier models with improved range, battery life, and ease of use. I tested the throttle on our HO scale club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, which is already equipped […]

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Atlas N scale trash equipment

Atlas N scale trash equipment

Atlas N scale trash equipment Price: Combo: $44.90Car only: $24.95 ($19.95 for undecorated). Containers: $19.95 (four-pack). ManufacturerAtlas Model Railroad Co.378 Florence Ave.Hillside, NJ 07205www.atlasrr.com Era: late 1970s to present Road names (multiple road numbers): USA Waste, Allied Waste, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CIT Group, East Carbon – DSEX, ECDC, Florida East Coast, General American, Joseph […]

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Tangent Scale Models HO covered hopper

Tangent Scale Models HO scale covered hopper

Tangent Scale Models HO scale covered hopper If you’re into prototype accuracy, the Pullman-Standard PS2-CD 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper is right up your alley. This ready-to-run HO scale model from Tangent Scale Models features railroad-specific hatch covers, jacking pads, running boards, crossover platforms, brakewheel housing and clevis, brake system, and brake wheel, among other items. Pullman-Standard […]

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ExactRail HO scale Gunderson gondola

ExactRail HO scale Gunderson gondola

ExactRail HO scale Gunderson gondola Price: $22.98 ManufacturerExactRail251 West River Park Dr., Ste. 300Provo, Utah 84604 www.exactrail.com Era: 1965 to 1990s Road names (three numbers each):Southern Pacific (repaint), Chicago & North Western, CSX, Missouri Pacific, Penn Central, St. Louis Southwestern, Union Pacific, undecorated kit ($21.95) Comments: This distinctive high-side gondola is a replica of a […]

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The doctor’s appointment

HSC

Horseshoe Curve, 1940: Freight on track 1, passenger on track 2, smoke from a train climbing on track 3 or 4. H. W. Pontin You could not avoid liking my uncle, Matthew McGrail. Matt was a medical doctor in Bradford, Pa., by profession, but he was a full-time rail enthusiast. He befriended many crews of […]

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Track signs

Track-snowplow-sign

The black-and-white sign with dots tells the plow operator to raise flanges prior to crossings, switches, etc. Greg McDonnell Q What does a whiteboard sign with black circles mean? It’s near grade crossings and sometimes has one black circle, and sometimes two.— Mike Cough, Kemptville, Ont., Canada A That board (which can also be black […]

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