Track classifications

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Track classifications are among the most basic — and essential — operating considerations in railroading, and an army of workers keep watch over the rails. You’ve seen them out there nearly every day in their hi-rail trucks, motoring quietly up and down the main and not-so-main lines of America. Perhaps you’ve waited for them to […]

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California Zephyr again fares poorly in on-time statistics

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WASHINGTON — The California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Heartland Flyer all had on-time performance under 40% in the second quarter of 2023 according to statistics released today (July 18) by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Zephyr had a customer on-time performance of just 31% for the quarter, while the Builder and Flyer were both at […]

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Steam locomotive No. 765 plays host to young campers

Steam engine crosses railroad crossing

PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — Nickel Plate Road No. 765 was under steam July 13-15 as the centerpiece of the first Indiana Railcamp in Pleasant Lake. Organized by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society under the Indiana Rail Experience banner, this pilot program hosted 20 campers — ranging between ages 13 and 17 — from the […]

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Repairing older N scale handrails

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Repairing older N scale handrails: Back in the early days of N scale – the 1970s and ’80s – most N scale diesel locomotives had oversized handrails. In fact, they were often so outlandish we called them stovepipes. N-scalers have always been a clever bunch, and this was just one of the colorful and humorous […]

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Maryland tourist railroads you must visit

Steam locomotive with motion blur and mountain scenery.

Baltimore is celebrated as the birthplace of railroading in the United States. However, there’s more to Maryland’s own railroad heritage beyond the major city. From Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook, here are the must-visit tourist railroads, museums, and displays across the Old Line State. Maryland Tourist Railroads and Museums Capital Region National Capital Trolley Museum […]

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Running N scale trains too fast

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Running N scale trains too fast: Several years ago the N scale Enthusiast national convention came to town, and I was very pleased that, over the course of one day, four busloads of N scalers from all over the world came to my house to visit my layout. My friends Andy Sperandeo and Gordy Spiering […]

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Indiana tourist railroads you must visit

Steam engine crosses railroad crossing

Whether you’re looking to take a scenic train ride across the “Canal Route” or yearning for the glory days of big steam, the state of Indiana has you covered! From Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook, here are the various tourist railroads, museums, and displays you must visit across the Hoosier State. Indiana Tourist Railroads and […]

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