Trains LIVE — Exploring the fish car

Green Pullman car used for transporting fish. Trains LIVE — Exploring the fish car

Trains LIVE — Exploring the fish car — 5-24-2024 — Officially the “fish car” is the Wisconsin Fish Commission Badger #2, built for the state of Wisconsin by Pullman in 1913. It was designed to move fish ready to be stocked in lakes and streams from one of Wisconsin’s 25 fish hatcheries. The car has […]

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Ask Trains.com May 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com May 2024 compilation | Our host Cody Grivno addresses a wide array of modeling and prototype railroading questions. In this edition he’ll provide insights about the specific use of two different 1:1 scale covered hoppers; how to model your own track cleaning car, which locomotive is appropriate to select when modeling grain elevator […]

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Trains LIVE — Rail news analysis with Bill Stephens

Man in vest with pictures on wall behind him.

Trains LIVE — Rail news analysis with Bill Stephens — 5-3-2024 — Every day Trains News Wire brings you the latest railroading news. There are some stories that unfold over weeks and months with each new twist adding to the story’s depth. Bill Stephens, Trains business analyst, reports on the most significant railroad business events, […]

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Ask Trains.com April 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com April 2024 compilation | Our host Cody Grivno addresses a wide array of modeling and prototype railroading questions, including an explanation why and how modern railroads still use cabooses; where to find a sound modules used to enhance specific layout scenes; what the pros and cons are replacing plastic trucks with metal trucks; […]

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Trains LIVE — Along the rails with JDI

35mm slide of J. David Ingles. Trains LIVE — Along the rails with JDI

Trains LIVE — Along the rails with JDI — 4-18-2024 — J. David Ingles — “Diesel Dave” — is among eight people to serve as editor of Trains. He was a member of the Kalmbach staff for 47 years, 1971 to 2018, when he transitioned to working as a contributing editor. Ingles was a prolific […]

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Trains LIVE — Mikados

Man in TV studio with interview guest on a video monitor. Trains LIVE — Mikados

Trains LIVE — Mikados — 3-29-2024 — As rail traffic expanded in the early 1900s, the 2-8-0 steam locomotive class had reached its apex. The railroads, however, needed more power, which meant expanding steam-generating capacity. More steam meant having a larger fire and firebox to hold it. Fireboxes became wider, moving behind the last driving […]

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Ask Trains.com March 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com March 2024 compilation | Cody tackles questions regarding modeling and prototype railroading, including an explanation about forward-facing locomotive practices; modeling detailed backdrop scenes; precautions for working on freight cars previously sprayed with Dullocote finishing; and so much more. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions […]

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Trains LIVE — Restoring Montana Western No. 31

Three men standing next to a motorcar talking. Trains LIVE — Restoring Montana Western No. 31.

Trains LIVE — Restoring Montana Western No. 31 — 3-15-2024 — At the root of the diesel-electric locomotive family tree is the Electro-Motive Corp. motorcar or doodlebug, as they were sometimes called. The EMC motorcar employed traction technology that today is common — an internal combustion engine turning an electric generator feeding power to axle-mounted […]

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Trains LIVE — The Mad City Model Railroad Show

Two men talking on a TV interview set. Trains LIVE — The Mad City Model Railroad Show

Trains LIVE — The Mad City Model Railroad Show — 3-1-2024 — Operating model railroads, railroad historical societies, museums, garden railroads, restored motor cars — if it has something to do with trains — of any size — you can find it at the Mad City Model Railroad Show. For the 56th time the South […]

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Ask Trains.com February 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com February 2024 compilation | In this month’s installment, Cody answers inquiries related to modeling era-appropriate industrial structures; getting into a sticky situation; building a metal paint/spray booth from scratch; selecting motive power that’s best suited for a short line railroad; and so much more. Plus, Senior Editor Roger “Professor” Carp also stops by […]

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