Get copies of the 24-page booklet (left) or tri-fold pamphlet (right) for your next model train show or event. The World’s Greatest Hobby, Inc. (WGH) is a non-profit educational program to promote the enjoyment and benefits of model railroading. As part of that initiative the group developed a 24-page booklet Getting Started in Model Trains, […]
Section: Modeling
A guide to plant-hardiness zones
To a novice gardener, the topic of plant-hardiness zones can be as confusing as gauge and scale terminology is to the beginning model railroader. With gauge and scale, there are different standards used by various manufacturers. In gardening, growers and publishers utilize different hardiness-zone ratings. The main confusion comes from the fact that there are […]
Garden railroad electrical/electricity questions and answers
Garden railroad electrical/electricity questions and answers Is it safe to power your trains outdoors? Will I get electrocuted? It’s completely safe to run track power outdoors! Our trains, like those in the smaller scales, run on low-voltage DC, usually 18-24V. Thus, it is perfectly safe to run your trains outdoors, even in the rain or […]
Questions and answers about large-scale locomotives and rolling stock
What grade can an engine climb? Different engines will climb different grades. If you are trying to stay within full-size railroad practice, your grades should be no more than about 3 percent for mainline traffic (3″ of rise in 100″ of travel) or 5 percent to 6 percent for logging, mining, or industrial lines. I […]
Questions and answers about large-scale locomotives and rolling stock
What grade can an engine climb? Different engines will climb different grades. If you are trying to stay within full-size railroad practice, your grades should be no more than about 3 percent for mainline traffic (3″ of rise in 100″ of travel) or 5 percent to 6 percent for logging, mining, or industrial lines. I […]
Rock Island South Local
Follow along as the southbound local on Rock Island’s Mid-Continent Route operates from Inver Grove Yard in Minnesota to Armourdale Yard in Kansas City, Kan., and meets a few trains along the way. Video by Michael Armstrong. […]
Prototype drawings of Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive
Click on the image or link to download a PDF of this drawing of the Union Pacific Big Boy In 1941 the Union Pacific RR took delivery of its first 4-8-8-4 single-expansion articulated steam locomotives. Aptly named “Big Boy,” these 7,000 hp, 386-ton locomotives were the heaviest and among the most powerful simple articulateds ever […]
B&O Ridgley Division cab ride
Climb aboard B&O no. 4580 and enjoy a cab ride along the B&O Ridgley Division. Your journey starts at Clarksville yard and terminates past the tiny town of Franklin. You will pass through Macauley, Heckton, the S curve around Leyden lake, and ride the high line. Video by Dale Ridgeway. […]
RSAX shelf layout update
Alejandro’s “Random Semi-arid Railroad” (RSAX) is a small shelf layout set somewhere between 1970 and 1990. The layout is intended to be lightweight and portable, so that it can be hung upon storage. […]
2019 Mad City Model Railroad Show
The Mad City Model Railroad Show will be held in Madison, Wis., on February 16-17, 2019. Sponsored by the South Central Wisconsin Division – NMRA. […]
Union Pacific freight train crossing Powder River
Here’s a quick clip of a Union Pacific mixed freight train crossing the Powder River in Natrona County, Wyo. Video submitted by Brian Olson. […]
Rayantown switching action
Watch switching operations and see updates on the O scale Rayantown layout. Video by Paul Dell Ava. […]