Atlas HO scale turntable

Atlas-HO-scale-turntable

Atlas HO scale turntable This product is a good, inexpensive direct-current powered turntable for the modelers who don’t a lot of money to spend. It features a handwheel to control by hand. The roundhouse slots have As and Bs to show how to install track. The table itself has no pit, but looks fine and […]

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Headed north on the Southern main line

Norfolk & Western J-Class 4-8-4 No. 611 rolls north on the Southern Railway main line, Aug. 22, 1982 during the engine’s three-day move from its restoration in Birmingham, Ala., to its birthplace in Roanoke, Va. The engine has an eight car train high above the James River. William D. Middleton photo […]

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End of the Line

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N&W’s eastbound Pocahontas descends Christiansburg Hill toward Roanoke on April 21, 1971 – ten days before Amtrak. J. David Ingles The air was chilly and damp as I stood beneath the eaves of the weather-beaten depot in Lynchburg, Va. I was waiting for the train that would take me back to Cincinnati one last time. […]

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Building the Reader’s Choice RR benchwork

CTT121010RCRRBenchwork

Our 2010 survey asked what you, our readers wanted in a layout. We compiled all of your feedback and we present this project railroad designed just for you. For the Readers’ Choice RR we chose a lightweight benchwork option that was new to us, and found that the Mianne benchwork system was an ideal solution. […]

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Auxiliary tender and steam generator cars

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These two cars at Steamtown National Historical Site look similar but had different uses. Hank Ickes Q In the yard at Steamtown National Historical Site in Scranton, Pa., are two cars that I couldn’t identify. Do you know what purpose these cars had? — Hank Ickes, Arlington, Va. A One is an auxiliary tender or […]

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DPU rear markers

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Rear-end locomotives on distributed power trains may run with or without flashing rear end devices. Steve Schmollinger Q I see distributed power on BNSF freights inbound into San Diego, and some have flashing rear end devices attached to the coupler at the end locomotives. What are the circumstances for using a FRED on end-of-train locomotives?— […]

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Rule “X”

Q While listening to the scanner during bad weather, I heard the Canadian National Rail Traffic Controller remind train crews that Rule “X” was in effect. What is Rule X and who can issue it? — Patrick Lallensack, Green Bay, Wis. A CN’s Rule X governs train operations during and after severe weather. Chief dispatchers […]

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