Q: In your Ask MR question “Is there a way to automatically slow DCC locomotives?” you mentioned Arduino, a DCC-connected programmable system. Is that like Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) software, and if so, how do the two compare? — Bruce Fogwell A: Hi, Bruce. Arduino isn’t software — it’s hardware. An Arduino is a tiny computer, […]
With larger railroads, you seldom see the big picture. You see trains passing a given location, but unless you have access to loading manifests, you seldom know the origin and destination of any single car or even what it is carrying. That can never be said about the Palmetto Brick Company Railroad, however. Its entire […]
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Facts and features Name: Olli’s RailroadScale: large scale (1:29)Size: 20 x 430 feetPrototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Burlington NorthernLocale: American WestEra: 1970s and 1980sStyle: walkaround gardenMainline run: 850 feetMinimum radius: 7 feetMinimum turnout: LGB R5 (main), LGB R3 (industrial area)Maximum grade: 1.2%Benchwork: welded steel framework backfilled with earthHeight: 19″ to 38″Roadbed: noneTrack: […]
Facts and features Name: Southern Pacific Keeler BranchScale: On30 (1:48 proportion, 30″ narrow gauge, also called On21⁄2)Size: 6 x 17 feetPrototype: SP narrow gaugeLocale: Owens Valley, CaliforniaEra: 1950sStyle: sectionalMainline run: 36 feetMinimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open grid Height: 50″Roadbed: 1 x 4 clear pineTrack: Micro Engineering code 83Scenery: sifted, demagnetized […]
News & Products for the week of June 10th 2024 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of June 10th 2024. […]
Q: I’d like to know how trains turn around at the end of a branch line in the caboose era. I have great affinity for turnaround operations and am designing a new N gauge layout that might feature several of these operations. How do the crews manage to reattach the caboose on the end of […]
It’s time for the next installment in the Model Railroader Hall of Fame series. If you didn’t now, we’re creating a hall of fame for the 90th anniversary year of Model Railroader. In order to be nominated for the hall of fame, a nominee must have made a significant contribution to the model railroading hobby […]
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “Model railroading is dying.” An adage seemingly as old as the hobby itself, right? That alone belies the truth of the statement. If it held any veracity, model railroading would be long dead, and I wouldn’t be writing this article, and you wouldn’t be reading it. It’s […]
Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 The hobby to have when you’re having more than one NEWS AND PRODUCTS, pg. 10 Athearn Genesis HO scale GE AC4400CW reviewed, plus the latest new products RAILWAY POST OFFICE, pg. 16 Letters from our readers ASK […]
News & Products for the week of June 3rd 2024 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of June 3rd 2024. […]
What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My big present for Christmas 1958 was a Lionel train set pulled by a Santa Fe F3a. It spent most of the time under my bed in an old suitcase. My brother and I would set it up and run trains in circles until we got bored […]
