Parts of an Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 diesel locomotive

Photo of front of HO scale four-axle hood unit on white background

Parts of an Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 diesel locomotive Electro-Motive Division (EMD) produced the GP15-1 diesel locomotive from June 1976 through March 1982. During that time, 310 units were built. The four-axle road switcher was equipped with a 1,500hp 12-645E diesel engine, a D32 generator, and D77B traction motors. Original owners included Chicago & North Western […]

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An easy Halloween project for your O gauge railroad

Halloween scene on toy train layout

An easy Halloween project for your O gauge railroad is sprucing up a store-bought holiday item to add to your layout. With a few supplies, you can complete this project. It’s appropriate for all skill levels, too, so the kids can help! While browsing the Halloween section at Menards, my husband found some fun décor […]

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How to clean a dirty diesel locomotive

hands with toothbrush cleaning plastic model with water and soap

How to clean a dirty diesel locomotive Q: I just bought a 35-year-old Athearn HO SD45 painted as Electro-Motive Division’s demonstrator No. 4353. The old model has picked up a lot of dirt over the years, and I’m not sure how to go about cleaning it without damaging the paint job. Also, were the prototype […]

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Celebrate CTT’s 35th anniversary and the holidays

Celebrate CTT's 35th anniversary

Help celebrate CTT’s 35th Anniversary in the Nov.-Dec. 2022 issue! The cover features a specially painted set of Lionel F3s done by Len Carparelli. His business, L&L Model Train Restoration Co. celebrates a milestone anniversary of its own; we have a look at some of his work over the years. Of course, there’s also a […]

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Parts of an Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel locomotive

Photo of front of HO scale cowl-bodied diesel on white background

Parts of an Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel locomotive The Electro-Motive Division (EMD) F40PH diesel locomotive was the backbone of Amtrak’s fleet for many years. The four-axle unit earned its keep on several commuter lines, too. GO Transit (Toronto), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Boston), Metra (Chicago), and NJ Transit were just some of the places the […]

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Lionel F3 sets that never were

Lionel catalog page with train sets

Lionel F3 sets that never existed are a constant source of conversation among collectors. One area of focus is the late 1940s. Amid the ordinary items produced in vast quantities, there were some advertised that were probably never produced – but maybe they were. Lionel’s first O gauge F3 diesels came in freight sets with […]

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Passenger car fluting style references

Passenger car fluting style references Passenger car fluting style references: Looking for a certain article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a […]

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What is the best way to clean rails and engine wheels?

Ask Trains logo

What is the best way to clean rails and engine wheels? Looking for a certain article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is […]

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What is the best way to clean rails and engine wheels?

Ask Trains logo

What is the best way to clean rails and engine wheels? Looking for a certain article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is […]

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Amtrak Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder

Amtrak looks to expand its services and routes across the nation, including the Upper Midwest. In this candid look at Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder between St. Paul, Minn., and Milwaukee, Wis., you’ll discover how easy and comfortable it is to travel about the United States by passenger train. First-time traveler Gerry Leone has […]

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Parts of the Electro-Motive Diesel SD70M-2

white, red, and blue diesel locomotive

Parts of the Electro-Motive Diesel SD70M-2. Today is a great time to be a model railroader. The market is filled with a variety of locomotives from different manufacturers in many popular modeling scales. These engines often feature railroad- (and sometimes road-number-) specific details; factory-installed and painted wire grab irons; and sounds recorded from the prototype. […]

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St. Paul Union Depot — Another great Amtrak station

St. Paul Union Depot is a 105 year-old grand structure in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. In the early 20th century, it was the transportation center for this entire area. Then, like many depots in America, it fell on hard times. But today it’s been restored and remodeled. Now, it’s not only a […]

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