Alex Mayes’ top 10 railfan spots

Westbound CSX train Q261 climbs the Sand Patch grade at Foley Overlook, near Fairhope, Pa., on Oct. 9, 2011. Three photos, Alex Mayes Trying to come up with just 10 favorite train-watching spots posed a challenge for me, as I have a lot of favorite spots, all of which have their particular characteristics. For this […]

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Seneca Falls

A client asked me to develop a track plan for him that focused on two of his non-train collecting interests: The movie It’s A Wonderful Life, and the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball club. An odd pairing you think? Not really. What are most toy train layouts but a salute to nostalgia and personal […]

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High-tech modeling for garden railroaders

Photo 1 Large 3D prints can be tricky, difficult and/or frustrating. Hobbyist 3D printers have certain capabilities that allow for low cost, quick turn, and easy 3D prints. But sometimes you need to rely on the professionals to get the job done. I ran across an article on www.instructables.com about a 3D-printable locomotive for LEGO […]

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Cedarleaf Custom Railroad Decals

Marc Horovitz Custom decals Cedarleaf Custom Railroad Decals Prescott AZ Prices: See text Website: http://cedarleafcustomdecals.com Custom-made-decal service based on your own artwork; design service available; 81/2″ x 11″ standard sheet size; printed on standard decal paper; any color, including opaque white, silver, and gold, is available Pros: Lightning-fast turn-around time; excellent communication; online proof of […]

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O gauge CB&Q USRA 4-6-2 Pacific from MTH Electric Trains

O gauge CB&Q USRA 4-6-2 Pacific from MTH Electric Trains Price: $449.95 (no. 30-1681-1) Min Curve: O-31 Cmd Low: 3.4 smph Cnv Low: 5.2 smph High: 61.4 smph Drawbar pull: 1 lb., 2 oz. Features: Can-style motor, ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system, smoke, coil couplers Current production road names: Alaska RR, Burlington Route, Great […]

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O gauge train station from Menards

O gauge train station from Menards Price: $99.95 (no. 279-3846) plus shipping (free shipping to your local Menards), see your local Menards or go to www.menards.com to order. Unless your O gauge railroad is freight-only, you need a place for passengers to embark on their cross-layout journeys. There is certainly no shortage of stations in […]

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Trainfest 2016 show report

Athearn Trains HO scale General Electric ES44DC HO scale locomotives General Electric ES44DC. BNSF Ry. (Heritage II and III schemes), CSX (primer gray and as-delivered schemes), Norfolk Southern (primer gray and horsehead silhouette). Four road numbers per scheme (primer gray in two numbers each). Detailed cab interior, illuminated ditch lights, and railroad-specific cab detail. Direct-current […]

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TrainLine’s narrow gauge 0-6-0-T

Kevin Strong DCC-equipped 1:22.5 scale, gauge 1, steam-outline locomotive TrainLine Made in Germany Available from: Train Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $945 (analog DC); $1,145 (DCC) Website: www.trainli.com Mostly plastic steam-outline 0-6-0T; plastic side rods and valve gear; power pickup from all wheels plus skates; working headlights and cab light; available as […]

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Soundtraxx Econami decoder

Kevin Strong 4-amp DCC motor/sound decoder  ECO-400 Soundtraxx “Econami” Soundtraxx 210 Rock Point Drive Durango CO 81301 Price: $149.95 Website: www.soundtraxx.com Size: 2 3/4″ x 13/16″ x 5/8″ Pros: Excellent motor control; choice of sounds allows for a good degree of customization; good sound quality; plenty of volume Cons: No external trigger for synchronized chuff—must […]

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E-Z Street trucks from Williams by Bachmann

E-Z Street trucks from Williams by Bachmann Price: $99.95 (nos. 42734 Hot Joe ‘n Dough food truck, 42736 green pickup truck) Min Curve: 16- or 21-inch E-Z Street curves Cmd Low: N/A  Cnv Low: 20.3 smph High: 38.9 smph Drawbar pull: N/A Features: Motor, assorted cargo load Current production road names: Hot Joe ‘n Dough […]

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Solutions for train storage

1. Behind a raised Colorado railway, a magnificent 20′ train barn doubles as a street scene of local Leadville storefronts, circa 1890. All three pictured trains fit inside, along with spare rolling stock. Also notice the red running shed over the portal on Bob Ferrero’s Red Cliff Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Bob Ferrero 2. […]

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Building a Lionel enginehouse

The local paper ran a story on Trevor’s FC&W. Here, two of the 300 guests inspect the trains and Lionel-kit engine shed built by Trevor. Also notice the plastic clerestory-roofed industrial building, which could house an engine. Nancy Norris Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park Trevor Park […]

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