Broken rails: an unexpected pain

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The manufacture and maintenance of rail is as old as railroading — and so are broken rails. Though today’s rail is much harder, stronger, and of higher quality than rail made even 40 years ago, railroads and metallurgists have just recently begun to understand why rails still are breaking. As railroads installed new rail in […]

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The fine science of friction control

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Hydraulic flange greasers are activated when a wheel rolls over an actuator, as shown on CSX’s Indianapolis Line Subdivision. Two photos, Eric Powell Forgive the pun, but it’s a slippery slope that railroads have to deal with, in terms of rail and flange lubrication. Too much or too little grease on the track can cause […]

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Another N scale micro layout

N scale micro-layout project

Here is a time-lapse video of the construction of my latest N scale micro-layout project. The layout is a bit less than 24″ in diameter and features a track radius that averages around 9″. The track is ballasted and weathered Kato Unitrack, and the overall layout construction is foam insulation board on top of a […]

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Another N scale micro layout

N scale micro-layout project

Here is a time-lapse video of the construction of my latest N scale micro-layout project. The layout is a bit less than 24″ in diameter and features a track radius that averages around 9″. The track is ballasted and weathered Kato Unitrack, and the overall layout construction is foam insulation board on top of a […]

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Grupo Mexico to acquire FEC

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – GMéxico Transportes S.A. de C.V., the transportation business unit of Grupo México, and the Florida East Coast Railway Holdings Corp. have entered into a purchase agreement to acquire FEC in an all-cash transaction for an undisclosed value. FEC President and CEO Jim Hertwig says, “The FEC team looks forward to working with […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the May 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the computer desktop wallpaper. A Union Pacific freight rolls past a Midwestern cornfield on contributing editor Pelle Søeborg’s new HO scale Daneburg Subdivision model railroad. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Download the 1600 x 900 image Download […]

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New model trains for the week of March 23, 2017

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO Bombardier Transportation ALP-45DP dual-mode locomotive

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO Bombardier Transportation ALP-45DP dual-mode locomotive HO scale locomotives Bombardier Transportation ALP-45DP dual-mode locomotive. NJ Transit. Four road numbers. Illuminated, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, ditch lights, and red marker lights; positionable non-functioning pantograph; factory-applied railings, air horn, and antenna; modeler-installed grab irons with drilling template; and Kadee couplers. Direct-current model with 8-pin […]

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Video: Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

An Electro-Motive Division E7A passenger diesel joins the Bachmann Trains’ SoundValue line of HO scale locomotives. This detailed model features a dual-mode SoundTraxx decoder. See the E7A in action hauling a passenger train along the main line of the Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout. […]

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Video: Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A

An Electro-Motive Division E7A passenger diesel joins the Bachmann Trains’ SoundValue line of HO scale locomotives. This detailed model features a dual-mode SoundTraxx decoder. See the E7A in action hauling a passenger train along the main line of the Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout. […]

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