New model trains for the week of July 4, 2019

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Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Fairbanks-Morse H-15-44 and H-16-44 diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Fairbanks-Morse H-15-44 and H-16-44 diesel locomotives. New paint schemes. H-15-44: Rock Island (red and silver). H-16-44: Central RR Co. of New Jersey (blue and yellow); New York Central (black and white with radio stencil); and New York, New Haven & […]

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Cleanup continues after derailment in U.S.-Canada rail tunnel

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PORT HURON, Mich. — Cleanup continues after a Friday derailment in the St. Clair River tunnel connecting the U.S. and Canada, which resulted in a spill of more than 13,000 gallons of sulfuric acid. The Port Huron Times Herald reported Saturday afternoon crews were preparing to pump out the spilled acid after removing other cars […]

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Ask Trains: How can you ride behind the Big Boy?

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Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]

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Ask Trains: How does the Big Boy distribute weight to its front drivers?

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A side view of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on a test run in May 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: With interest in the completion Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s restoration, how does the weight of the boiler get down to the front drivers? — Carl Amerlan, Downers Grove, Ill. A: Great question! As an […]

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Ask Trains: Why was Big Boy No. 4014 picked to be restored?

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Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 arrives in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 4, 2019. The locomotive was chosen for restoration for a variety of reasons. TRAINS Staff Q: I may have missed it, but why was UP 4014 picked over all other displayed Big Boys? — Tom Otoski, Dayton, Ohio A: A combination […]

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“Like hell they will”

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During a 1967 financial analysts’ shop tour of the Southern’s Pegram Shop in Atlanta, an SD35 and GP30 have their high noses out in the Georgia sun. Walter A. Appel Early in 1967, the management of the Southern Railway invited members of the investment and financial communities to ride an inspection train from Cincinnati, Ohio, […]

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New model trains for the week of June 27, 2019

Broadway Limited Imports HO scale New York Central class S1b 4-8-4 Niagara steam locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F-series diesel locomotives. F3A and F3B: Missouri-Kansas-Texas (red and black) and St. Louis-San Francisco (black and yellow). F7A and F7B: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (cat whiskers scheme); Milwaukee Road (orange, maroon, and black); and Western Maryland (black and yellow). Prototype-specific details, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and body-mounted […]

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June new large scale products from Garden Railways magazine

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Aster’s live-steam British Railways Standard Class 4-6-0 5MT Accucraft Talyllyn Railways Dolgoch 0-4-0T PIKO America DB IV BR 360 Diesel Switcher Engines & rolling stock Accucraft, 3260 Central Ave, Union City CA 94587, is selling Aster’s live-steam British Railways Standard Class 4-6-0 5MT in 1:32 scale. The engine is brass and stainless steel construction and […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the August 2019 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Southern Pacific No. 2, the Sunset Limited, races through Wellton, Ariz., on Ron Mei’s HO scale Sunset Route. Featured in the August 2019 Model Railroader, this 58 x 68-foot layout celebrates SP and other southwestern railroads in the 1950s. […]

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How to host an open house of your garden railroad

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Sharing our railroads with others is perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of garden railroading. Andy, age three, knows the way, even without the sign. Kevin Strong If a train is running, kids will follow it. Here, a K-27 leads a parade of young future railroaders around the yard. At least they’ll sleep well. […]

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