P5a’s on a PRR freight

20141106

Two Pennsylvania Railroad P5a electrics roll northward with a freight at Halethorpe, Md., in the 1940s. Early P5a’s had box-cab carbodies; later versions with streamlined bodies, such as this pair, were known as “P5a modifieds.” Frank Clodfelter photo […]

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The Gold Rush Special

The Gold Rush Special

Name:    Gary Dennis Railroad Name:    Pinecone County Central Location:    Corsicana, Texas Scale:    G scale Theme:    Back woods of East Texas Description:    This is special run of the Gold Rush Special through Pinecone County. […]

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The Gold Rush Special

The Gold Rush Special

Name:    Gary Dennis Railroad Name:    Pinecone County Central Location:    Corsicana, Texas Scale:    G scale Theme:    Back woods of East Texas Description:    This is special run of the Gold Rush Special through Pinecone County. […]

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Western Pacific 0-6-0 No. 165 nears first hydro test NEWSWIRE

WP165shop

Former Western Pacific 0-6-0 No. 165 rests in the Portola shop during its lengthy restoration. Mike Mucklin Staff works to install the new cab on No. 165. Mike Mucklin PORTOLA, Calif. – The Feather River Rail Society is moving ahead with restoration of Western Pacific 0-6-0 No. 165. Chris Allan, Feather River Rail Society steam […]

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Build a Mason Bogie locomotive

Build a Mason Bogie locomotive

In the December 2014 issue, Mike Garforth shows us how to kitbash a Mason Bogie, using a Piko locomotive as a starting point. Mike has generously provided 10 step-by-step PDFs detailing the project. Also, despite our best efforts to compress these files, they are graphically intense and may take a few minutes to download. Part […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 30 – Steam locomotive weathering

Close view of a steam locomotive's top side.

While we’ve addressed how to weather modern diesel locomotives in other MRVP videos, David Popp takes on the challenge of giving the Olympia Logging Co. steam locomotives an aged appearance. Follow along as he demonstrates how to use an airbrush to apply various paint color effects — all without impacting the performance of our layout […]

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Last duty for a PRR Mikado

20141029

In September 1955, workers at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Renovo (Pa.) engine terminal prepare L1s 2-8-2 No. 8426 for service as a stationary steam supply at the road’s giant Sunnyside Yard in New York City. The Mike has been converted to oil-firing for this duty, most likely its last assignment. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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NYC’s Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson

20141015

New York Central class J-1e 4-6-4 No. 5344 received sheet-metal shrouding in 1934, making it the first streamlined steam locomotive in America. Carl F. Kantola of NYC’s equipment engineering department created the design. The Hudson was named Commodore Vanderbilt after the NYC’s famous early leader, but initially displayed no road number. Glenn Grabill photo […]

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