More fiction books about railroading and locomotive topics

two railway themed books

Fiction books about railroading and locomotive topics     The Necropolis Railway (A Jim Stringer mystery) By Andrew Martin Genre: Mystery/crime novel First published: 2002 It’s November 14, 1903, and young Jim Springer is traveling to London to start a job on the London & South Western Railway. He’s put to work cleaning engines No. […]

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Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set review

Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set overall view

Lionel’s 1926 Cardinals Train Set was kind of hidden in the pages of the 2021 Lionel Volume I “Big Book” behind the re-release of the 2-10-10-2; the Mohawks and Camelbacks; the Acela sets; and the Asa Packer, New Hope & Ivyland consists. It’s a high-end Legacy outfit that features a newly cataloged 4-6-2 Pacific steam […]

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How to bake Amtrak’s flourless chocolate torte

One piece of flourless chocolate torte on a white plate

Amtrak’s flourless chocolate torte Amtrak’s flourless chocolate torte is a dessert that I have had more times than I can count. This is a staple dessert in the dining car on Amtrak’s long-distance trains, and now it can be a staple in your very own dining room. To start, you will need some standard baking […]

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Menards Corrugated Auto Carrier – CTT review

Menards Corrugated Auto Carrier end view

Menards Corrugated Auto Carrier is an O gauge model of the modern 89-foot vehicle transporter so prevalent on today’s railroads. These are the most up-to-date versions of this type of car on the market in a traditional (non-scale) size. The car is named for its roof features. The sides of the car simulate the perforated […]

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Four railroad themed novels for summer reading

Covers of four train-themed books

You might enjoy these four railroad themed novels on your summer travels. Rene Schweitzer details these four works of fiction that you may have overlooked.   The Christmas Train David Baldacci Genre: Fiction First published: 2004 Journalist Tom Langdon, due to an “incident” at an airport, is banned from flying commercial airlines and takes Amtrak […]

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Electric Railways of North America in Color, Vol. 1 book review

The electric railways of North America served a variety of purposes: carrying commuters, industrial switching, and mainline freight and passenger service. From coal-hauling, six-axle, red-white-and-blue motors in British Columbia to plain green electric M.U. cars in New Jersey, there can be broad interest in electric railroads. Noted railfan Matthew Herson has lent his photographic collection […]

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Atlas O High Cube boxcars

Atlas O High Cube boxcar at a loading dock

This review of Atlas O High Cube boxcars is by Chris Montagna of the Chris’s Trains and Things channel on YouTube. I have two highly anticipated pieces of rolling stock from Atlas O: the Gunderson 50-foot High Cube Boxcars. Atlas announced these cars in its June 2021 catalog. Trains.com members can see a video review […]

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Atlas O Gunderson High Cube boxcars

Atlas O Gunderson High Cube boxcars

Atlas O Gunderson High-Cube boxcars hit the spot for modern modelers. These 50-footers are a staple of modern railroading. Chris Montagna of the YouTube channel Chris’s Trains and Things has a review of this highly anticipated piece of rolling stock from Atlas O. The manufacturer announced these in its June 2021 catalog. They are Premier […]

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Menards Cripple Creek General Store review

Menards Cripple Creek General Store cowboy side view

Menards Cripple Creek General Store is the latest O scale structure for the apparently burgeoning fictional burg. Several of the company’s buildings, including a recently released interlocking tower, are “located” there. This one is a little different detail-wise from the others. It has more of an “old West” feel primarily due to the figures that […]

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Menards’ Cripple Creek Crossing switch tower

brown tower

Menards’ Cripple Creek Crossing switch tower really struck a chord with me for an odd reason – it’s weather-worn and looks like it’s been on the losing end of a battle with railroad management for maintenance. Anyone who did railfanning in the 1970s or ’80s knows what I mean. These places might have seen their […]

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