Steam engine gage glasses have prisms to improve water visibility. J. David Conrad Q What type of glass (or other material) was used for the sight glass on a steam locomotive boiler? Was it a special material, or just very thick?— William Johnson, Eagle, Mich.A Most (but not all) gage glasses on steam locomotive are […]
Q Why are some Rio Grande steam locomotives referred to as “Mudhens?”— Larry Beck, Susanville, Calif. A The term “Mudhen” refers to 15 Denver & Rio Grande Western class K-27 2-8-2s, Nos. 450-464, built by Baldwin in 1903. Two K-27 Mudhens are left: No. 463, under restoration at the C&TS and No. 464, in operation […]
Virginia & Truckee 2-8-0 No. 29 charges past the depot in Gold Hill, Nev., in March 2010 on a portion of the rebuilt silver hauling railroad, high in the desert near Reno. Photo by Jim Wrinn […]
Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Burlington Northern. Two differently numbered A-B sets available. Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels, prototype-specific details, and McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current models: A unit, $169.98; A-B set $309.98; with Digital […]
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In the first and second generation of dieselization, Alco was the perennial odd man out. Although legendary for its steam locomotive designs and one of the first builders to dabble with diesel power, its diesel locomotives never really attained more than niche status with America’s railroads. The company quietly exited locomotive production in 1969. But […]
Bowser HO scale Alco C-630 diesel locomotive All-wheel electrical pickup, newly tooled Alco Hi-Ad or Tri-Mount trucks, and many separate brass, wire, and photo-etched detail parts are some of the highlights of this HO scale Alco Century 630 from Bowser. The model is an upgraded version of the Stewart Alco C-630 reviewed in the March […]
BLMA Models HO scale 64-foot refrigerator car A correctly proportioned model of a modern mechanical refrigerator car is now available from BLMA Models. The injection-molded plastic car features separately applied wire, plastic, and etched-metal details. The prototype cars began rolling out of the TrinityRail factory in late 2003. These excess-height cars, designated Plate F, can […]
Aztec Manufacturing TM3110S milled Kato E8 from and Digitrax SDN144KOA sound decoder The recently released batch of Kato Electro-Motive Division E8 passenger diesels in N scale are good-looking, smooth running models. [For a review, see the July 2011 Model Railroader. – Ed.] If you’re interested in adding Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound to your […]
Athearn Trains HO scale PC&F 50-foot boxcar with Landis doors Price: $37.98 ManufacturerAthearn Trains2883 E. Spring St., Suite 100Long Beach, CA 90806athearn.com Road names: St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) and Southern Pacific (four road numbers each with COTS, four without). Also available as an undecorated kit. Era: 1970 to 1990s Comments: Athearn has previously offered […]
In this “head shot” of the MTH O gauge Alco RS-11, you can see the top red light that illuminates with a change in direction while the center light flashes and the bottom light is a steady headlight. Enjoy this locomotive in action by watching the video. […]
