Walt Downer’s collection of Lionel Factory Layouts

Walt Downer’s collection of Lionel Factory Layouts Ever since Walt Downer can remember, he has been fascinated by things that move. That desire to see something move explains the approach Walt has taken to collecting Lionel trains and accessories from the postwar era. Passionate about Lionel history, he set out to build a great collection […]

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Scratchbuild an unloading platform

model boxcar with unloading platform on layout

When you look at any model railroad, it’s the details that grab your attention—the people at the station, barrels by the wayside, or maybe a weathered locomotive or car. A recent trip to Sand Patch, Pa., inspired this small but important platform used by the maintenance-of-way department to unload materials for work along the line. […]

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The GMDH1 diesel-hydraulic locomotives

Yellow-and-black centercab GMDH1 diesel-hydraulic locomotives outside factory

The GMDH1 diesel-hydraulic locomotives led a short life with one staying near their birthplace of London, Ontario.     Diesel-hydraulic railroad locomotives are just what they say they are: diesel engines connected to a hydraulic transmission via the same principle as you would in your automobile. They can be found in various parts of the […]

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Erie Railroad locomotives remembered

Steam Erie Railroad locomotives with freight train in country

Erie Railroad locomotives included both oddball steam and diesels right out of a builder’s catalog.     The Erie was a big user of the 2-8-0 Consolidation and 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive types. Going a step larger, the Erie experimented with articulated locomotives beginning with three Camelback 0-8-8-0s for pusher service in 1907. This evolved […]

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Canada’s High Frequency Rail project begins Request for Proposal phase

VIA_Map

OTTAWA — The Canadian government’s slow-moving process of developing its proposed High-Frequency Rail passenger route between Toronto and Quebec City is taking its next step. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced Friday the start of the Request for Proposals process for the rail project, with a deadline announced only as “summer 2024.” Those proposals will come […]

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Our favorite eras

Color photo of maroon and white diesel locomotive.

Railroads have been around for almost 200 years, so there’s a lot of history we can choose from to model our favorite eras. While it can be hard to focus on just one era, we may find we gravitate to one favorite. For many modelers, it’s the era we experienced when we were first exposed […]

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Ask Trains.com October 2023 compilation

Ask Trains.com October 2023 compilation | Host Cody Grivno answers viewer questions regarding signs at railroad grade crossings and what they mean to the train operating crew; a long-forgotten Model Railroader article that offered a novel, “green” solution to modeling rocky cliffs; a plea for ideas in modeling industries and equipment supporting a layout based […]

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Menards Santa Fe starter set unboxing and reveal

red and silver engine on table

CTT Product Review | Menards Santa Fe Train Set | 10-13-2023 | Menards has released an all-new, complete ready-to-run O gauge electric train set! Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and Contributing Editor Bob Keller unbox the Menards Santa Fe O gauge starter set, examine the features of the components (track, trains, and control system), […]

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Rapido Trains HO General Electric U25B

Title screen from Product Review video featuring HO scale road locomotive painted blue and yellow.

Samples of the newly tooled Rapido Trains HO General Electric U25B diesel locomotive recently arrived at the Model Railroader offices. Join senior editor Cody Grivno as he points out features on the road units, demonstrates some of the sound and light functions, and operates a short freight train. We received samples decorated for Atchison, Topeka […]

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