Relics

  A westbound Napoleon, Defiance & Western train crosses a short trestle over a country road near Antwerp, Ohio, on Oct. 17, 2014. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]

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MTH HO scale DM&IR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone

MTH HO scale DM&IR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone

MTH HO scale DM&IR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone The MTH HO scale DM&IR Yellowstone features many separately applied detail parts. One of the last giants of the steam era, a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-8-4 “Yellowstone,” comes to life in HO scale complete with sound, smoke, and pulling power that does its prototype proud. The MTH […]

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BlueRail Trains Bluetooth control board

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Used in speakers, smartphones, and many other devices, Bluetooth is a technology that allows electronic devices to wirelessly communicate with one another. BlueRail Trains uses Bluetooth technology to allow model railroaders to control trains using an Android or Apple iOS smartphone or tablet. I reviewed a BlueRail-equipped Bachmann HO scale E-Z App Alco RS-3 in […]

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ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders

ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders

ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders Both ends of the ScaleTrains.com tenders feature independently controlled lights. Union Pacific’s steam excursion program began almost as soon as the use of regular steam power ceased on the railroad in 1960. Over the years, the UP has operated FEF-3 4-8-4 no. 844 and Challenger 4-6-6-4 no. 3985 in […]

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Broadway Limited Imports N scale PRR 4-8-2

BLI N scale PRR 4-8-2

BLI N scale PRR class M1b 4-8-2 steam locomotive Broadway Limited Imports N scale Pennsylvania RR class M1a 4-8-2 steam locomotive Detailed and smooth-running steam locomotives are cause for celebration among N scalers. They’re even more so when the engines in question feature onboard Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound. That’s the case with the […]

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Two custom-made Marx locomotives

Name:    Todd Hein Forum User Name:    ToddH Railroad Name:    Minneapolis Northern Location:    Crystal Minnesota Scale:    O scale Theme:    Two custom locomotives Description:    I have made some custom Marx locomotives and cars for my Minneapolis Northern Railroad, most are repaints of standard Marx locomotives, but these two are modified. The Commodore Vollrath, as I call it, […]

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Vertical crossing signals

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A less common crossing signal warned motorists of oncoming trains by blinking “stop.” Kevin King Q As a child in the 1950s and 1960s, I saw a number of railroad grade crossings on the Wabash that were protected by a row of vertical lights on the signal mast in addition to the standard red alternating […]

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Two custom-made Marx locomotives

Name:    Todd Hein Forum User Name:    ToddH Railroad Name:    Minneapolis Northern Location:    Crystal Minnesota Scale:    O scale Theme:    Two custom locomotives Description:    I have made some custom Marx locomotives and cars for my Minneapolis Northern Railroad, most are repaints of standard Marx locomotives, but these two are modified. The Commodore Vollrath, as I call it, […]

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Highball

A southbound Norfolk Southern freight takes the clear signal at South Leesburg, Ind., on May 16, 2011. The former New York Central branch line was upgraded with Pennsylvania-style position light signals recycled from other routes during Penn Central ownership. Photo by Bob Jordan […]

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Scenic South Fork

  Norfolk Southern’s Norfolk & Western-painted heritage unit leads northbound train No. 124 through South Fork, Ky., and into the Green River valley on May 31, 2016. Photo by Jeff Wagoner […]

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Two versions of the Marx 999 locomotive

The open spoke and closed spoke versions run on the Minneapolis Northern

Name:    Todd Hein Forum User Name:    ToddH Railroad Name:    Minneapolis Northern Location:    Crystal Minnesota Scale:    O scale Theme:    Collecting Marx Description:    Marx made several versions of the 999, this video shows two early versions. The open spoke 999 was produced first, then after problems with the pilot breaking off the second version, the closed spoke, […]

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