CHICAGO — The operator of a Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line train that collided with snow-removal equipment last year had alcohol in his system, but federal investigators do not consider that a factor in the incident, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The Nov. 16, 2023, collision saw 23 people taken to hospitals while another 15 refused […]
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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 21 | Painting the backdrop – Part 4
Watch as artist Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, concludes backdrop painting efforts on David Popp’s Olympia & Sand Creek On30 display layout. In the course of this video, Jay and David walk you through the entire process, so you can see the amazing visual transition from simple sky colors to majestic mountains. […]
Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Founder Jason Shron reflects on 20 years of Rapido Trains Inc.
In this late summer 2024 interview hosted by Model Railroader magazine’s Editor Eric White and Senior Editor Cody Grivno, the two visited with founder and CEO of Rapido Trains Inc., Jason Shron. The dream job of making model trains is one nearly every hobbyist envisions, but few have ever brought to fruition. In the span […]
Renfe Alvia high-speed train ride in Spain
Join Trains.com staff member Sean Kirby as he rides onboard a Renfe Alvia high-speed train for the first leg of his return trip from Spain. Under the first light of the day, you’ll venture with Sean to the modern Segovia Guiomar station, 40 miles north of Madrid. After scanning your ticket, you’ll descend to the […]
Spaces to Places VI | Fixing a wayward waterway, part 4
Watch as the river space quickly becomes a place, as Host Gerry Leone turns his attention to adding scenery along the newly created river scene of his HO scale Bona Vista HO scale double-deck model railroad. As always, you be sure to glean helpful tips and tricks you can easily mirror on your own layout! […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 20 | Painting the backdrop – Part 3
As Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, continues is his backdrop painting efforts on David Popp’s Olympia & Sand Creek On30 display layout, you’ll see several subtle techniques Jay employees to create lighting effects and enhance the detailed appearance of even the most distant landform and structures he paints. Be sure to explore […]
Ask Trains.com October 2024 compilation
Ask Trains.com October 2024 compilation | In this episode, Host Cody Grivno talks about model railroad locomotive wheel flanges; signage along the 1:1 scale right-of-way; modeling an industrial brewery complex; using the right tool for the job; plus a wide array of other modeling and prototype railroading topics that viewers just like you have raised! […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 19 | Painting the backdrop – Part 2
Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, is back for more work on David’s painted backdrop of his On30 display layout. Although the painting won’t be completed here, Jay shows off his various techniques for adding more precision to the roughed-in mountains he crafted in the previous episode of this Olympia & Sand Creek […]
How-to Library | Detailing and weathering a diesel locomotive, part 2
Efforts to make a new, HO scale (1:87.1) Alco RS1 diesel locomotives appear more worn continue. Here, David Popp demonstrates easy and effective airbrush weathering techniques for adding dirt, rust, grime, and faded-paint effects. […]
Spaces to Places VI | Fixing a wayward waterway, part 3
Gerry is back to reworking the river scene on his HO scale Bona Vista HO scale double-deck model railroad. As he heads for the homestretch, our host shares tips and tricks for making the new river bed easy to install (and remove); modifying bridge abutments; building the bridge itself; and then finally forming the river […]
Rebuilding the S-Line | Amtrak in North Carolina and Virginia
Rebuilding the S-Line | As detailed in the November 2024 issue of Trains magazine, the neighboring states of North Carolina and Virginia are up to something big! They are cooperating, collaborating, and even co-funding to create a 110-mph interstate passenger-train speedway dubbed, the “S-Line”. Watch this video to see some of the existing Amtrak trains […]
Ken Smith’s South Durham Ry.
Ken Smith’s South Durham Ry. is an HO scale shelf layout that fills a 9′-6″ x 11′-0″ spare room. The freelanced model railroad depicts a North Carolina bridge line connecting the Southern Ry. (SOU), Seaboard Coast Line (SCL), and Durham Southern in the 1970s. Second-generation diesel power moves grain, plastic pellets, perishable fruit, and other […]