How do you model locomotive terminals faithfully?

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Cody Grivno explains that by researching terminals in books, as well as images online, you should be able to get a good idea of how to re-create a building using accurate colors and more. Do you have questions about railroad facilities or do you like to learn more about adding them to your model railroad? […]

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What’s behind those doors?

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Cody Grivno explains what the two little doors on each side of the headlight on an F7 or F9 nose are. He also explains what the MU receptacles (behind the doors) are used for. Do you want to know more about the details on diesel locomotives? Or would you like more information about model railroading? […]

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Ask MR: What kind of ballast should I use?

An eyedropper is used to soak ballast around scale railroad track with alcohol.

    Q: I’m designing an HO scale model railroad that will include an old mountain main line that’s due to be closed after a new bypass line has been constructed. Though my line will be freelanced, some examples of what I’m thinking of would be the old Colorado Midland Hagerman Pass line or the Denver […]

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Ask MR: Looking for Rock Island Rocket drawings

Scale elevation drawings of the Rock Island Rocket locomotive and passenger cars.

      Q: I’m looking to build an HO scale Rock Island Rocket and its Electro-Motive Corp. TA diesel locomotive. I know that Model Railroader published Rock Island Rocket drawings several years ago (1986 or so), and I was wondering where I might find these plans? I think that the TA plans were reprinted […]

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What railroad is my old lantern with CMx on the globe from?

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Cody Grivno answers the question about which railroad the lantern with CMx comes from. The markings are actual of the globe manufacturer and not of a particular railroad. If you want to know more about markings on lanterns or structures that you find along the right away. Send us an email to AskTrains@trains.com. And if […]

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Ask MR: What does a scale test car do?

A yellow scale test car with green signs on the top is pulled behind a train.

    Q: What was the purpose of a scale car? Was it to check the track, and where was it located in the train? Were all Class 1 railroads required to have these cars? Were there measuring instruments in those cars? I do realize that with today’s technology they are obsolete. – Gilles Bouthillier […]

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