Locomotive gear ratios

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Electric and diesel locomotives’ top speeds are governed by gear ratios and safe operations, like this Union Pacific westbound near Franklin Grove, Ill. Brian Schmidt Q What determines the theoretical top speed of a diesel locomotive? Is it the gear ratio? What other factors enter in? – Mike Pedersen, North Berwick, Maine A The maximum […]

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Walthers HO scale SD45 diesel

Walthers HO scale SD45 diesel locomotive

Walthers HO scale SD45 diesel locomotive From its flared radiators to its Flexicoil trucks, the HO scale SD45 from WalthersProto captures the look of this second-generation diesel. All the versions offered also feature roadname- and era-specific detailing. I tested a Wisconsin Central Ry. version that came equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder. The prototype. With […]

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Atlas N scale General Electric B36-7 diesel

Atlas N scale B36-7 diesel

Atlas N scale B36-7 diesel Packing 3,600 hp under its hood, the General Electric B36-7 was just what Seaboard System wanted when it placed an order for 120 units in 1985, more than doubling the production total of the locomotive. Now, Atlas Model Railroad Co. has re-released its line of B-B truck Dash-7s in new […]

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Biplanes and an E3

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Two biplanes trailing smoke accent a 1939 publicity photo of Florida East Coast’s Jacksonville–Miami Henry M. Flagler, named for the road’s founder. E3 No. 1001, emblazoned with the train’s name, was FEC’s first diesel. FEC photo […]

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Caboose Hobbies to reopen under new ownership

Caboose Hobbies, known as The World’s Largest Model Train Store, is now under new ownership and will move to a new retail location in the Denver, Co., metropolitan area. This announcement comes from the new owner Kevin Ruble via the Caboose Hobbies website at www.caboosehobbies.com. In August 2016, former owners Duane and Joanna Miller had […]

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VIDEO: A look at Brass Expo 2016

Several styles and sizes of locomotives.

Brass Expo 2016 was held on October 1 and 2 at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL (The Chicago North Shore). The show featured manufacturers, historical displays, and some of the finest brass railroad models in the world. James Wright of the JLWII2000 YouTube channel attended the show and provides this VIP look. […]

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VIDEO: A look at Brass Expo 2016

Several styles and sizes of locomotives.

Brass Expo 2016 was held on October 1 and 2 at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL (The Chicago North Shore). The show featured manufacturers, historical displays, and some of the finest brass railroad models in the world. James Wright of the JLWII2000 YouTube channel attended the show and provides this VIP look. […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Preparation for Operation

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that work on the trackwork, scenery, structures, details, motive power and rolling stock is nearly complete on our Winston-Salem Southbound HO scale project layout, it’s time to try running it like a real railroad. But before a single axle turns, MRVP’s David […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Preparation for Operation

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that work on the trackwork, scenery, structures, details, motive power and rolling stock is nearly complete on our Winston-Salem Southbound HO scale project layout, it’s time to try running it like a real railroad. But before a single axle turns, MRVP’s David […]

Read More…