HO scale Georgia Northeastern RR 2019 update

Diesel locomotive on a layout

Thomas Klimoski’s HO scale Georgia Northeastern was featured in Great Model Railroads 2020 and several other Model Railroader magazine articles. Tom shot this video that highlights the actions of the GNRR North Local as it switches Argos Cement and the Team Track. The video also showcases his recent weathering of several two bay covered hopper […]

Read More…

Remembering Boston & Maine Railroad freight trains

8BMmountain

All this month — October 2019 — Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and images of the Boston & Maine Railroad. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include B&M steam-powered freight trains through time. You might also enjoy this B&M history […]

Read More…

10 gems of layout wisdom

gems_wisdom

Carl uses red parts of his nos. 342 culvert loader and 345 culvert unloader to accentuate no. 2031 Rock Island Alcos. Carl Rygiewicz The best part of building and operating a layout, irrespective of its size or scale, is realizing how much you have learned and being eager to share a few lessons and insights […]

Read More…

10 gems of layout wisdom

gems_wisdom

Carl uses red parts of his nos. 342 culvert loader and 345 culvert unloader to accentuate no. 2031 Rock Island Alcos. Carl Rygiewicz The best part of building and operating a layout, irrespective of its size or scale, is realizing how much you have learned and being eager to share a few lessons and insights […]

Read More…

Tracklaying: adhesives, nails, or spikes?

Trackandroadbedcanbefastenedtofoaminsulationboardwithconstructionadhesivesmadeforusewiththefoamboard

Track and roadbed can be fastened to foam insulation board with construction adhesives made for use with the foamboard. Apply a ¼” bead along the center line, use a putty knife to spread it in a thin layer, and press the roadbed down into place. Add weights to hold it while the adhesive sets. Then […]

Read More…

MBTA begins Foxborough service trial

MBTA

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority debuts its pilot program offering commuter service to Foxborough, Mass., today as part of its fall revision of commuter train schedules. The Foxborough trains, serving a community which had previously only seen trains for New England Patriots football games and other special events at Gillette Stadium, are being […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of October 24, 2019

Accurail HO scale assorted freight cars

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F-series diesel locomotives. Burlington Northern (Northern Pacific “Pinetree” scheme patchout; F7A, F7B, and F7A-B set in one road number each), Denver & Rio Grande Western (Aspen Gold, silver, and black; F9B in one number; F9A-B set in two numbers), Milwaukee Road (1970s orange and black; F7A in one number and […]

Read More…

Ask Trains: Can train crews turn off crossing gates?

Q: Do train crews have the ability to activate or deactivate crossing lights and gates? — Richard Collingwood, Milan, Ohio A: No. Here’s why: Crossing circuits have set approaches based off of warning time required and maximum speed of the trains. The modern day crossing processors — mini computers inside a crossing gate bungalow (the metal […]

Read More…