In this installment, Cody test-runs Bachmann’s new sound-equipped N scale New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson, as well as Athearn’s Genesis 2.0 HO scale SD80MAC. He also looks at Jeff Wilson’s latest book, The Model Railroader’s Guide to Iron Ore Railroads. In addition, Cody shares tips about using Rails Unlimited reproduction railroad industry directories to improve […]
Section: Series
Off The Rails: The Missing Kinks, Episode 53
Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more Model Railroader Construction Kinks left on the planet, host Gerry Leone just unearthed the final remnants — a.ka. The Missing Kinks! Learn from these timeless workbench and layout building insights, and enjoy Gerry’s helpful demonstration of their usefulness. […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for February 2021, part 2
Cody shares ScaleTrains.com’s CSX Pride of Service General Electric ES44AH locomotives, WalthersMainline’s 53′ RailGon gondola, Flexifile’s precision trimmers, a modeling tip, and viewer mail. […]
Back On Track: Episode 1
From his Off The Rails series, we’ve discovered that Master Model Railroader Gerry Leone is quite prone to getting derailed. And ever since he’s torn down his model railroad, we’ve had even more reason to wonder about him. But no need to worry, he’s right Back On Track constructing a new home…and a new layout […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails: Episode 1 Montana and eastern Washington
Railfans and model railroaders alike will enjoy this ethereal approach to capturing the stunning natural vistas and railroads of the American West. Beginning with this Autumn episode of an all-new, seasonal series by photographer/videographer Tom Danneman, you’ll be immersed in extended-length footage of contemporary trains working through expansive scenes, and even bigger, broader skies. Available […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for February 2021, part 1
This time Cody shares Rapido’s new HO scale Amtrak Horizon passenger cars, Atlas’s N scale ACF 5,800 cubic-foot covered hoppers in new paint schemes, and the new 45 Years on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy DVD, plus a modeling tip and viewer mail! […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video – Inside Cody’s Office for January Part 2
Cody’s Office is back with ScaleTrains.com’s HO scale Pullman-Standard/Trinity Backpacker 5-unit well car, RailSmith’s N scale lightweight coach, and Athearn Genesis’s EMD GP38-2, plus a modeling tip and viewer mail! […]
Rehab My Railroad: Adding more details at Mukwonago, Episode 10
More work along the Mukwonago layout location. The session starts with David installing trackwork for the industrial spur at this site, while Cody continues prepping the structure itself. Adding realistic details to the track, pavement, structure, and surrounding area is also part of the process in this episode of the Jones Island rehab effort. […]
Short Line Railroads
You got it. Railroads covered most of the country with branches, and sidings and house tracks, where one and two car loads of freight could be loaded or unloaded. The local brought coal for the school boilers, fuel for the local distributor, and carried away raw materials that fed industry, and hauled off […]
Intermodal and the Long-Haul Market
Yes it is, Brian. In fact, intermodal passed coal in 2013 as railroads’ biggest revenue source. In 2014, U.S. railroads tacked more than a half million intermodal loads onto their 2013 totals, notching a record 13.5 million shipments. Intermodal is likely to become even more significant in coming years as the industry spends […]
Burlington Northern and the Grain Industry
Sure thing, Angela. Since the Baltimore & Ohio began hauling flour from Ellicott’s Mills to Baltimore in 1830 — grain, flour, and seeds have been an important part of railroading. Grain moved in boxcars for decades, but in the early 1960s, Southern Railway’s new, 100-ton — Big John — covered hopper revolutionized grain […]
Steel: a Critical Building Block
For an industry which hauls the heaviest, densest loads overland, no other material has proven itself more useful to railroads than that combination of iron, carbon, and trace minerals. For more than 150 years, U.S. steelmakers have needed railroads to efficiently haul their heavy iron ore, taconite pellets, and coal, and also to transport […]