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Model railroad humor: Einstein
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HO scale Santa Fe Shortline
The layout at a glance Name: Santa Fe Shortline (SFS) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 7′-0″ x 8′-0″ Prototype: Freelanced Santa Fe shortline Era: April 1961 Style: Island Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: Plywood base on bookcases Height: 37″ Roadbed: None Track: Atlas Snap-Track Scenery: Sculptamold […]
Thrift stores have cheap stuff for your train layout
Thrift stores can hold a wealth of treasures for hobbyists, if you know where to look. I have suggestions of which departments to look for items for your layout. I suggest going into a store with an open mind. For just a few dollars and a maybe a bit of paint, you might find something […]
East Broad Top notebook: Work continues to restore steam locomotive, improve passenger-car fleet
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Progress on the rebirth of the East Broad Top Railroad continues on multiple fronts as part of ongoing efforts since the narrow gauge railroad was acquired by the non-profit EBT Foundation in February 2020. Some updates: — Work continues on restoring 2-8-2 steam locomotive No. 16 (Baldwin, 1916) to service, possibly […]
Big Boy in Texas and Mid-South photo gallery, August 2021
Trains contributors Steve Smedley and Sol Tucker present some of their choice images from chasing Union Pacific Big Boy in Texas and the Mid-South. Big Boy’s 2021 trip from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to New Orleans and back is the locomotive’s first excursion since 2019. For more information, see the Union Pacific steam schedule online. Also, […]
STB names staffer to head passenger on-time performance unit
WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board on Thursday announced that it has selected a senior staff member, Neil Moyer, to coordinate the board’s efforts in preparing to meet new intercity passenger rail on-time performance responsibilities. Moyer will work closely with board members and staff to develop a plan for on-time performance investigations. Among the tasks: Forming […]
Ask MR: Why do these CN boxcars have built-in flashers on the ends?
Q: I recently saw these bright orange boxcars parked near the Canadian National Woodcrest Shops. They have CN reporting marks, though I haven’t gotten close enough to get specific numbers. Many of them have red lights on both ends that look to be like the ones used at crossing gates. They must move these cars […]
Chinese-built 2-10-2 set for series of Iowa excursions
NEWTON, Iowa — If there wasn’t enough going on in August 2021 for the steam locomotive enthusiast, here’s one more special event to keep an eye on, or maybe even attend: An Iowa-based Chinese-built QJ 2-10-2 is starting its public tour. On Friday, Central States Steam Preservation No. 6988 made a deadhead freight move from […]
East Broad Top group acquires 1934 standard-gauge PRR boxcar
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – The East Broad Top Railroad reached one of its preservation goals Thursday, Aug. 19, with the arrival of a period standard-gauge, 40-foot steel boxcar to illustrate how the historic common-carrier narrow gauge line once hauled larger cars on interchange trucks. Loaded on a flatbed trailer on Wednesday at the Kiski Junction […]
California high speed rail board approves Bakersfield-Palmdale environmental report
LOS ANGELES — The California High-Speed Rail Authority board of directors has approved the final environmental report for the 80-mile Bakersfield-Palmdale section of the project, the first portion in Southern California to receive clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act. The move sets the stage for clearance of the full 500-mile San Francisco-LA/Anaheim route under […]
NTSB report: Track damage from flooding led to 2019 UP derailment, fire
WASHINGTON — Flooding from a nearby lake that weakened and washed out track structure was the probable cause of a 2019 Union Pacific derailment and fire in Fort Worth, Texas, the National Transportation Board said in a report released Thursday. The April 24, 2019, incident saw 26 cars of a 98-train of ethanol derail at […]
UP updates plans for Big Boy display in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — Union Pacific is adjusting plans for Saturday’s display of Big Boy No. 4014 in New Orleans in light of local COVID-19 guidelines. The railroad has announced the locomotive will be on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Audubon Riverview Park, 6500 Magazine Street. However, the “Experience the Union Pacific” rail […]
