What is the correct fan configuration on an SD45?

Fan configuration on an SD45: Ask Trains.com: I'm modeling a Northern Pacific SD45 and I want to upgrade it with Cannon & Co. see-through fans. I have one package with two fans and more on order. How many and what location are these fans appropriate?

Cody helps a reader identify the correct fan configuration on an SD45. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer […]

Read More…

Where can I locate a track plan?

Ask Trains.com: Sometime during this past year I found an article and track plan by lain Rice. The story was titled "Versatile Room-Size Layout," and the name on the track plan name was Chicago & North Western and Vienna & Carthage. Do you have any way to locate the article and track plan?

Cody helps a reader locate a track plan. Find Model Railroad Planning 2012 and How to Build Small Model Railroads on the Kalmbach Hobby Store. This track plan can also be found in Model Railroader’s track plan database. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size […]

Read More…

Can railroad materials be reused?

Ask Trains.com: Just back from a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer and noticed lots of old concrete and wood ties stacked in piles in many places and lots of rails resting along the active track and large quantities of tie plates and spikes stacked near the active track. Does the railroad intend to reuse this material or do they recycle it?

Cody addresses applicable cases for railroad track material reuse. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers and […]

Read More…

Can railroad materials be reused?

Ask Trains.com: Just back from a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer and noticed lots of old concrete and wood ties stacked in piles in many places and lots of rails resting along the active track and large quantities of tie plates and spikes stacked near the active track. Does the railroad intend to reuse this material or do they recycle it?

Cody addresses applicable cases for railroad track material reuse. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers and […]

Read More…

How railroads transport different types of steel

Ask trains.com: What are the rules and regulations for hauling steel beams, sheet metal and rolled steel? In dealing with the steel beams, do they go by the weight of the beam or by the thickness of the beam? In dealing with sheet metal loads do they go by thickness or quantity of the sheet metal load? In dealing with the rolled steel how wide is the metal, thickness and number of feet in the roll? - James Shepard

Cody discusses the rules and regulations around the transport of steel products by rail. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors […]

Read More…

What’s in a locomotive number?

Ask Traisn.com: I have noticed multiple cases where a local or regional railroad buys a locomotive from a Class One, then the unit gets repinted in the new owner's colors, but doesn't change the numbers. Why? - Rick Marsh.

Cody discusses locomotive numbering in this installment of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

Read More…

What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Ask Trains.com: What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Cody addresses the differences between a coach and a chair car in this installment of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com […]

Read More…

Has the railroad industry considered adding solar panels to diesel locomotives?

Ask Trains.com: Has the railroad industry thought about putting solar panels on the diesel locomotives yet? I believe that would save money in the long run. Save on fuel costs too.

Cody discusses the application of solar power in the rail industry. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]

Read More…

Has the railroad industry considered adding solar panels to diesel locomotives?

Ask Trains.com: Has the railroad industry thought about putting solar panels on the diesel locomotives yet? I believe that would save money in the long run. Save on fuel costs too.

Cody discusses the application of solar power in the rail industry. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]

Read More…

The Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan layout in N scale

The N scale Post cereal plant layout

Facts & features Name: Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan Scale: N (1:160) Size: 12-0′ x 14-0′ Prototypes:  Grand Trunk Western and Penn Central Locale: Battle Creek, Michigan Era: 1970s Style: Single deck Mainline run: Not applicable Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder with risers and open-grid […]

Read More…

The HO scale Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan layout

The track plan for the HO scale Post cereal plant in BattleCreek, Michigan

Facts & features Name: Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 12-0′ x 14-0′ Prototypes:  Grand Trunk Western and Penn Central Locale: Battle Creek, Michigan Era: 1970s Style: Single deck Mainline run: Not applicable Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder with risers and open-grid […]

Read More…

What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Ask Trains.com: What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?

Cody addresses the differences between a coach and a chair car in this installment of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com […]

Read More…