Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 1

There’s a new place in the making on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista HO scale layout! Watch as he plans and plots out the details of a small community he calls “Westcott”. Take a tour down our host’s imagined Main Street, as he evaluates which structures and subtle details are best suited for the space. Plus, […]

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Conrail Retrospective

Big Blue diesel locomotives were ubiquitous for those living in the Northeast and upper Midwest for many years of the last century. Although Consolidated Railroad Corporation has been gone for over 20 years now, let’s take a look back at 1990s Conrail freights in the state of Pennsylvania! […]

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Reading & Northern Santa Trains in Pennsylvania

In December 2022, near Tamaqua, Pa., it’s no surprise the Reading & Northern Santa Trains are big business! Of course, the Reading & Northern is no stranger to giving the public what they want. The railroad does a brisk business with these runs with its Lehigh Gorge Scenic railway operation, based out of Jim Thorpe, […]

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East Broad Top No. 16 Debut

Leaving Orbisonia, Pa., on a rainy day in February 2023, EBT steam locomotive No. 16 leads its first passenger train in nearly 67 years! To the delight of the East Broad Top Foundation, the new entity tasked with bringing this 2-8-2 back to life, No. 16 completed successful test runs in preparation for their Winter […]

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Build a brake system for a resin car kit

Host Eric White demonstrates how to assemble an underbody brake system for a resin car kit. Follow his expert insights and advice, and you’ll appreciate how this process differs from a typical plastic car kit assembly. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Hauling Freight

With our intrepid railfan Tom Danneman behind the camera, even a seemingly mundane manifest or general merchandise freight train stands out amidst the beautiful backdrop of the American West. Enjoy the striking natural views, complemented by the various sizes, shapes, and colors of modern freight trains traversing Big Skies & Iron Rails! Be sure to […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 8 | Time for trackwork

Host David Popp has the track and cork roadbed in hand, so he’s all set for trackwork! Following good construction processes, David first surveys the various sites where tracks will route. You’ll see how to install roadbed along the main line roadbed, along the turntable lead tracks, under turnouts, and even over bridges! Follow along […]

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Brightline receives last of its Siemens trainsets (with video)

Two locomotives and passenger trainset arrive at maintenance facility

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has received the last of the 10 trainsets for its Florida operation, and the last of the five ordered for its upcoming expansion of service to Orlando. The “Bright Orange 2” train arrived at the company’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 19, after a 10-day trip from the […]

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Santa Maria Valley No. 205 at Work

Newly restored Santa Maria Valley 2-6-2 number 205 is under steam at the Albany and Eastern Railroad shops as the crew readies the locomotive for a photo charter the following day. We’ll follow the 205 as she is pressed into revenue freight service for a day, March 17, 2022. The Albany and Eastern operates 64 […]

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Soo Line No. 1003 Photo Special

In coordination with the Kalmbach Media sponsored TrainFest hobby show in Milwaukee, Wisc., the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association used the opportunity to fire up their 1913-built American Locomotive Company, Class L-1 2-8-2 steam engine, Soo Line No. 1003. This photo special routed over the tracks of regional railroad Wisconsin & Southern — all to the […]

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Spaces to Places III | Making a highway, part 4

Work on the highway underpass settings concludes. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares techniques for blending his realistic photo backdrop into the scenery. Starting from the back and working to the front, Gerry builds out the countryside setting with a variety of ground cover, strategically placed trees, and signature roadside details that turn this model […]

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