Empty Amtrak roomettes go begging

Denver Union Station

An Amtrak conductor in Denver Union Station checks in passengers heading east on the California Zephyr, Sept. 2, 2008. Bob Johnston Many Amtrak conductors and sleeping car attendants are eager to help Amtrak maximize revenue by letting coach passengers know when their train has unsold roomettes and bedrooms available. As Trains’ July 2010 Passenger column, […]

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North Platte: The rise of a railroad town

Union Pacific depot, North Platte, Neb.

Soldiers and citizens pose in front of the Union Pacific depot in North Platte, Neb., on April 27, 1898. Union Pacific Museum Before there was a burning man festival, North Platte threw the biggest party in the West, when Union Pacific tracklayers made a winter camp with miners, traders, Mormon emigrants, and stagecoach drivers in […]

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News & Products for May 20, 2010

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40B, 8-40BW and 8-32BWH diesel locomotives

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40B, 8-40BW and 8-32BWH diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives General Electric Dash 8-40B, 8-40BW and 8-32BWH diesel locomotives. Dash 8-40B: New paint schemes: CSX (YN3 paint scheme) and Seminole Gulf; new road numbers: BC Rail (three road numbers) and Southern Pacific. Dash 8-40BW: New paint schemes: […]

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Summit USA HO scale Shell gas station

Summit USA HO scale Shell gas station

Summit USA HO scale Shell gas station Price: $99.95 ManufacturerSummit USA, LLC512 Ford St.Lake Charles, LA 70601www.summit-customcuts.com Era: modern Comments: This contemporary Shell gas station is the latest HO scale offering from Summit USA. The laser-milled styrene kit uses black and white styrene components and includes clear window glazing and peel-and-stick signs. The structure measures […]

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Sunset Models HO scale HO scale 4-6-6-4 class Z-6 steam locomotive

Sunset Models HO scale HO scale 4-6-6-4 class Z-6 steam locomotive

Sunset Models HO scale HO scale 4-6-6-4 class Z-6 steam locomotive Loaded with accurate detail parts and available with a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder, this HO scale class Z-6 is a great looking and sounding model of one of the Northern Pacific Ry.’s first Challengers. The brass model from Sunset Models is available […]

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Hunterline Co. N scale 86-foot Howe truss wood bridge kit

Just when you think things can’t get any better, they do! Allow me to back up just a bit. One aspect of our hobby that I really enjoy is building all kinds of bridges. Big bridges, small bridges, wood, metal or “other” construction all get my attention. I’m always on the lookout for new bridge […]

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Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, North Platte, Nebraska

Union Pacific's North Platte Terminal map thumbnail

Dan Czech clearly remembers the first time he laid eyes on Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard. “I flew out here at night. I looked out the window and said, ‘That must be the city of North Platte.’ They said, ‘No, that’s the rail yard.’” The young terminal manager, who once taught Navy SEALs how to parachute, […]

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Preserving Railroad History

Albany, Ore., station, Ciddici's Pizza

Preservation of former railroad stations takes many forms, from visitor centers and museums to offices and restaurants. Ciddici’s Pizza of Albany, Oregon, retains most of the original exterior features of the Oregon Electric structure, especially the “OER” logo. Scott Lothes The locomotive John Bull, donated by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1884, was the Smithsonian Institution’s […]

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