EMD F40C diesel locomotives were six-axle, 3,200-hp units built for Chicago-area commuter service in 1974. They were found on two Milwaukee Road-operated routes out of Union Station, one west to Elgin and one north to Fox Lake. The units had a cowl body like the Amtrak SDP40F of 1973, but used an alternator to […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Cleveland man arrested for alleged attempts to derail trains
CLEVELAND — The FBI on Friday arrested a 43-year-old Cleveland man for allegedly attempting to derail trains on CSX Transportation lines used by Amtrak over a three-month period. Joseph Findley was charged in federal court with terrorist attacks against railroad carriers, Cleveland.com reports. He was ordered by U.S. District Magistrate Judge James Grimes to remain […]
Pacific Southern Railway in HO scale
With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]
Greg Albert’s Portable Steel Mill in N scale
This small, portable N scale (1:160) layout is designed to create a big impression. To learn even more about the layout details, be sure to read the November 2023 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]
Pacific Southern Railway in HO scale
With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]
Greg Albert’s Portable Steel Mill in N scale
This small, portable N scale (1:160) layout is designed to create a big impression. To learn even more about the layout details, be sure to read the November 2023 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]
Amtrak runs specials to mark CPKC performance
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Amtrak is operating two days of trips along CPKC’s former Milwaukee Road River Subdivision in Minnesota to recognize the company as Amtrak’s best performing Class I railroad in 2022. The trains make a round trip from St. Paul Union Depot to La Crescent, Minn., where they are turned on the wye […]
A portable steel mill layout in N scale
Facts & features Name: Steel mill with a twistScale: N (1:160)Size: 3′-0″ x 6′-8″Prototype: FreelancedLocale: Upper MidwestEra: Mid-20th centuryStyle: IslandMainline run: 17 feetMinimum radius: 11.25″Minimum turnout: NoneMaximum grade: NoneBenchwork: Hollow-core doorHeight: Varies by venueRoadbed: NoneTrack: Kato Unitrack and Bachmann E-Z TrackScenery: Extruded-foam insulation boardBackdrop: NoneControl: Direct-current cab control with Bachmann Auto-Reversing Systems Download a […]
South Shore to resume Michigan City-Dune Park trains later this month
PORTER, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter trains should begin running between the Michigan City and Dune Park stations the week of Oct. 16, opening the first part of its Double Track project and ending more than a year of bus substitution to accommodate work between Michigan City and Gary. The Times of Northwest Indiana […]
Explore Wisconsin’s Osceola and Saint Croix Valley Railway
The scenic town of Osceola, Wisc., recently hosted the inaugural Trains Magazine diesel photo special, attracting rail enthusiasts and photographers. The Osceola and Saint Croix Valley Railway typically offers passenger services along a former Soo Line branch, owned by Canadian National. However, special events extend the experience to other tracks, including the line’s northern terminus […]
North Shore Scenic Railroad recovers from washouts
DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Scenic Railroad resumed service Sept. 29, quickly recovering from washouts that closed the railroad’s route to Two Harbors, Minn., for several days. Northeast Minnesota saw record rainfall the weekend of Sept. 23-24, with the town of Knife River on NSSR receiving 7.6 inches of rain in less that 8 […]
Spaces to Places IV | Light up this whole town, part 6
Westcott is now officially more of a place than it is a space! It’s time for host Gerry Leone to shine a light on and around this town on his HO scale model railroad. Follow along to learn how he added interior illumination to the structures, period-correct streetlights, and fine details that give select scenes […]