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A layout of a Lionel lifetime
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Frank Ellison’s Delta Lines 1944 series, “The Art of Model Railroading”
Frank Ellison believed that the purpose of a model layout was to reproduce the operations of real railroads. That way model railroads could entertain individual builders or provide enjoyment for groups of hobbyists taking various roles in a working railroad system. Frank Ellison’s Delta Lines 1944 series, “The Art of Model Railroading” […]
Digitrax Evolution advanced DCC starter set
Digitrax Evolution advanced DCC starter set Digitrax adds another advanced command station, the DCS210, and a new DT500 throttle to its Digital Command Control (DCC) lineup. The new throttle and command station are also key components of the firm’s Evolution DCC starter set. [Another new Digitrax product, the DCS240 advanced command station, was reviewed in […]
Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A
Bachmann SoundValue HO scale EMD E7A Our review sample is sharply decorated in the Pennsyvlania RR Tuscan five-stripe paint scheme. Separate detail parts include handrails, horns, and windshield wipers. For those modeling passenger service in the last half of the 20th century, General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division E-units are essential. This EMD E7A from Bachmann Trains […]
Running ‘backward’
A Montana Rail Link local with a GP35 running backward (long hood forward) rolls along the Jefferson River west of Sappington, Mont. Tom Danneman Q In the 2010 movie, “Unstoppable,” movie makers create a lot of drama about running a locomotive backward at high speed. How capable are road and switch engines of operating in […]
Quick Look: Kato N scale SDP40F diesel locomotive
Kato N scale SDP40F diesel locomotive Price: Direct-current, $125; with ESU LokSound Digital Command Control and sound, $250 Manufacturer Kato USA Inc. 100 Remington Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 www.katousa.com Era: 1988 to 1994 (as decorated) Road names: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (three road numbers) and BNSF Ry./Maersk (one number) Comments: Yes, we reviewed the […]
Quick Look: Wheels of Time HO 62-foot bulkhead flatcar
Wheels of Time HO 62-foot bulkhead flatcar Price: Bulkhead flat: $38.95; 3-pack, $116.85; 12-pack, $467.40. Plain deck (no bulkheads): $35.95; 3-pack, $107.85; 6-pack, $215.70. Manufacturer Wheels of Time P.O. Box 846 Mountain View, CA 94042 www.wheelsotime.com Era: 1966 to 1998 (as decorated) Road names: With bulkheads: Southern Pacific, Golden West Service, St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton […]
Rainy day fun
Name: Gary Pearsall Railroad Name: Gary’s always evolving O scale layout. Location: Gig Harbor, WA Scale: O scale Description: Rainy day fun. It is almost as much fun to clean track, dust and move things around as running trains some days. This is what I accomplished on this rainy Saturday. Take a look. […]
HO scale White Road Forest shelf layout
“White Road Forest” is a small shelf layout in HO scale, inspired by a Class 3 branch line somewhere in the Upper Michigan area. Designed with portability in mind, it has nine modules with all the scenery detachable to improve easiness of storage. It features a two-track main line (loop) with one siding each, and […]
HO scale White Road Forest shelf layout
“White Road Forest” is a small shelf layout in HO scale, inspired by a Class 3 branch line somewhere in the Upper Michigan area. Designed with portability in mind, it has nine modules with all the scenery detachable to improve easiness of storage. It features a two-track main line (loop) with one siding each, and […]
Chariots of fire on the Erie
A hot-metal “bottle car,” one of three in an Erie train that included eight hopper cars as spacers, passes DeForest Junction, between Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, in 1966. Clifford A. Redanz One of the more interesting aspects of steel-mill railroading were the “hot-metal runs” that moved molten iron from the blast furnaces to the open […]
What holds railroad track in place?
Spikes are part of a system that keeps rails in service. Redundant numbers of spikes are present in most tracks. Bob Johnston Q During a recent trip to the U.S., I visited rail lines in Chicago used by both freight and passenger trains. I noticed how many spikes are torn out or completely missing in […]
