Train-A-Palooza event keeps growing

group of people outdoors

Traditionally, the hobby we all know and love was typically sequestered to our basements, spare bedrooms, or the occasional pole barn. Publications like Classic Toy Trains began to bring those of us in the hobby together, allowing us to see layouts and collections from all over the country. While CTT continues to be a staple […]

Read More…

Build a small portable module

small layout module on tabletop

Perhaps you don’t have the space to build a layout but still want to build “something.” Maybe your layout is already built but you’re looking to renovate a scene or section. Or there might be a show coming up and you want to highlight a scene or show off an animated feature. The solution to […]

Read More…

‘Cameron Christmas Train’ to visit Ohio, Indiana, Michigan

Logo of Cameron Christmas Train

ANGOLA, Ind. — A three-day holiday train operation in northeast Indiana, southeastern Michigan, and western Ohio has been announced for next Monday through Wednesday. The Cameron Christmas Train, sponsored by Cameron Hospital, will be operated by the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Little River Railroad, and Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Nov. 18-20. “As the region’s healthcare […]

Read More…

Amtrak Borealis routes into the Upper Midwest

Amtrak Borealis Trains.com staffer Ben Lake, narrates his rides aboard Amtrak’s newest Midwest region trains, the #1333 (westbound) and #1340 (eastbound) Borealis! Since operations began in May 2024, the Borealis trains now provide a second daily connection between Downtown Chicago, Ill. (CHI), Milwaukee, Wis. (MKE), and St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn. (MSP)…and have already surpassed the 100,000 […]

Read More…

Capturing reality in garden railway photographs

a figure of a child walks on the rails next to a boxcar on garden railway

Many of us started our love affair with model trains after getting Lionel or American Flyer items, perhaps to circle a Christmas tree. We might have gotten a toy plastic or metal station with people printed on the sides and some fake evergreen trees. It was all the excitement and the reality we needed. I […]

Read More…

10 must-see Colorado railroad attractions

A narrow gauge tank type steam locomotive in an earthen cut.

1. Take the train from Cripple Creek Our list of 10 must-see Colorado railroad attractions starts with a trip back in time. Railroads arrived in the mining town of Cripple Creek in 1893, and today the best way to see the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp” is aboard Colorado’s only 2-foot narrow-gauge steam railroad, the Cripple […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

Build a multi-level shelf layout

view of shelf layout

Not every hobbyist has a spare room in which to build a layout. You may have limited space for a layout or need to share a room that’s used for other purposes (like a family room). That was my situation, so I decided to build a multi-level shelf layout. Benefits of a shelf layout You […]

Read More…

CPKC announces schedule, performers for 2024 Holiday Train

Locomotive and railroad cars decorated with holiday lights

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has released the schedule and list of performers for the annual CPKC Holiday Train, which begins its tours through the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20. The railroad’s holiday train will also continue to include the Holiday Express, originated by Kansas City Southern, which will make a 13-stop […]

Read More…

Halloween large scale display at trunk or treat event

two vehicles with a large trestle connecting them

Halloween large scale display at trunk or treat event: Many churches and schools host a” trunk or treat” event around Halloween. Folks decorate the trunk of their vehicle to pass out candy for a trick-or-treat event in the parking lot.  I decorated my pickup truck with a large scale Halloween display. The following year, my […]

Read More…

Cool train rides this holiday season

Holiday lights reflect off the polished wooden side of an old time passenger train at dusk

There are cool train rides this holiday season from coast-to-coast, but plan ahead for the most popular events. The holiday season begins early for many heritage railroads, museums, and tourist train operators. On some lines there is only a short transition from the end of autumn Oktoberfests, pumpkin patches, and spooky trains to the start […]

Read More…