Amtrak GP7 diesel locomotives

Silver-and-black Amtrak GP7 diesel locomotives

Amtrak GP7 diesel locomotives served for decades in supporting roles for America’s passenger carrier throughout its network.     Electro-Motive Division produced the 1,500-hp, four-axle GP7 from 1946 through 1958, making a total of 2,729 units, including five cabless B units, for more than 40 railroads. By the time Amtrak needed more support motive power […]

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The Norfolk & Western Pocahontas Division layout in N scale

A model railroad layout trackplan

Facts and features   Name: Norfolk & Western Pocahontas DivisionScale: N (1:160)Size: 36 x 36 feetPrototype: Norfolk & WesternLocale: southern West VirginiaStyle: walk-inMainline run: 290 feetMinimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2 percentBenchwork: tabletopHeight: 52″ to 58.5″Roadbed: corkTrack: code 80 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation board and SculptamoldBackdrop: hand-painted on drywall Control: NCE Digital Command Control […]

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Athearn HO General Electric AC4400CW

Color photo of HO scale Athearn HO General Electric AC4400CW on scenic base.

A General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive has joined the Athearn Genesis lineup. And no, this isn’t just an upgraded version of the “blue box” kit from the 1990s. The newly tooled six-axle road locomotive is offered with railroad-specific details, a full cab interior, and light-emitting-diode lighting, among other features. The prototype The sample we received […]

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Classic Trains Film Archive | Colorado and Wyoming, J. David Ingles Reel 14

Classic Trains Film Archive | Colorado and Wyoming, J. David Ingles Reel 14  – Amidst the Great Plains states of Colorado and Wyoming, J. David Ingles vintage color footage captures notable classic railroads, including Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Colorado & Wyoming; Rio Grande; Santa Fe; Union Pacific; and even Sperry Rail Service! ………………………………… Look back […]

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How to fly a locomotive

An orange European-design diesel locomotive mounted on a multi-wheeled road trailer, is loading into a giant cargo aircraft

Irish Rail It was the early 1990s and I was an Electro-Motive Division export locomotive district sales manager in the International Locomotive Business Group, based at EMD’s headquarters in LaGrange, Ill. At the time, I was responsible for our locomotive and spare parts sales in Europe, and one of my customers was Irish Rail. During […]

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Amtrak Toledo services through the years

Amtrak Toledo services passenger train crossing low bridge over waterway

Amtrak Toledo services have seen changes consistent with the rest of the national network in its 50-year history. Throughout its history, Amtrak trains have called upon the former New York Central station on Emerald Avenue at the south end of downtown. NYC opened the station, built with cream brick and copious amounts of glass block, […]

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How to lubricate your O and S gauge trains

Applying light gear lube to a model locomotive truck with a needle applicator.

Some questions we get frequently are: “How do I lubricate my locomotives?” followed by “What type of lubrication should I use on them?” Here are some answers. And remember, when it comes to oil and grease on locomotives or other rolling stock, less is more. Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy answer for what to […]

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Common methods for uncoupling cars

Photo showing two flatcars and assorted uncoupling items.

Automatic knuckle couplers have been a part of model railroading for more than 60 years. Not only do these couplers look more like what you see on full-size locomotives and freight cars, they’re easy to install and use. You can learn more about them in my articles on HO and N scale couplers on Trains.com. […]

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Tangent Scale Models HO postwar boxcar

Color 3/4 view of HO scale boxcar painted brown with black and white graphics.

A line of Pullman-Standard Southern Pacific Lines 40’-6” postwar boxcars is now available from Tangent Scale Models. Designed from PS blueprints and field measurements of full-size cars, the HO scale models include prototype-specific details, new American Steel Foundries 50-ton A-3 Ride Control trucks, and Kadee scale couplers. The prototype Many railroads looked to improve their […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30

Title screen of Product Review video featuring Broadway Limited Imports HO scale GP30 diesel locomotive.

In our latest Product Review video, we’ll head down to the quarry on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout to see the Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30 in action. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 2710; points out the […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30

Title screen of Product Review video featuring Broadway Limited Imports HO scale GP30 diesel locomotive.

In our latest Product Review video, we’ll head down to the quarry on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout to see the Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30 in action. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 2710; points out the […]

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