Q: What locomotives are currently used to pull Amtrak’s Auto Train? And does anyone offer them in N scale? – David Feitelson, Ocala, Fla. A: Though people today are most familiar with Auto Train as an Amtrak offering, the unique service began in 1971 under the auspices of a private company, the Auto-Train Corporation. Using […]
Long-time Garden Railways contributor Eric Schade shows off running and plowing scenes on his Winneance & Quebec Railway. The scenes have it all: double-headed steam locomotives, craftsman-level coaches, snowy scenes and more! Schade creates his garden railroad empire in Maine. […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Train shows remain challenged nearly two years after the novel coronavirus first appeared in late 2019. Several of the nation’s most popular train shows slated for 2021 were made virtual, such as the National Model Railroad Association’s national convention, this year called “Rails By the Bay” and scheduled for the San Francisco […]
In this episode, Host Steve Brown has more trackwork to revamp. This time he’s working to insert a new crossover turnout configuration (a pair of track switches) into a yard lead. Learn why and how he did it…the “Regular Guy” way! […]
In this episode, Host Steve Brown has more trackwork to revamp. This time he’s working to insert a new crossover turnout configuration (a pair of track switches) into a yard lead. Learn why and how he did it…the “Regular Guy” way! […]
Atlas is back with its General Electric Dash 8-40B, originally released in 2001. The new model is now available with an Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU) LokSound dual-mode decoder. General Electric (GE) built 151 Dash 8-40B locomotives in 1988 and 1989 for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Conrail; New York, Susquehanna & Western; St. Louis Southwestern […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. — After months of hard work from hundreds of modelers nationwide, the 2021 Walther’s National Model Railroad Build-Off has officially drawn to a close. The last day to submit a layout for consideration in the contest was May 31, with judging taking place over the past month by an anonymous panel of experienced […]
It’s been common practice for railroads to modify antiquated rolling stock to suit a particular need for Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment. An old flatcar no longer of use for main line service often became an asset for work trains. The flatcar could be repaired, lightly modified, and put into service looking much like it […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Out in the quiet countryside of Arkansaw, Wisconsin, brothers Bo and Ian Afdahl wake up every morning at 5 a.m. to milk and feed the cows on their family’s small dairy farm. After school, they come back home and do it all over again, typically working late into the evening. On the […]
WAUKESHA, Wis. – Meet the Turlans, a Connecticut family of three participating in the Walthers National Model Railroad Build-off. Entering in the HO-scale adult team category, this talented trio is on a mission to show the world that modeling isn’t just for the experts. When quarantine first struck back in March 2020, Xavier and Lindsay […]
In 2019, CSX Transportation unveiled its Pride in Service locomotives, three General Electric (GE) ES44ACs painted to commemorate the service of military, first responder, and police personnel. Now, HO scale modelers can add these colorful locomotives with available dual-mode sound decoders to their fleets, thanks to ScaleTrains.com. The prototype. General Electric introduced the ES44 line […]
I’ve had a degenerative muscle condition for 20 years. Because it has been a gradual degeneration, I’ve been able to adjust my modeling over that period. I can still scratchbuild and kitbash buildings. I can also paint and decal locomotives and cars; it just takes longer. At times, modeling has become frustrating. However, I’ve been […]
