Q On many Union Pacific refrigerated boxcars, the reporting mark “ARMN” appears below the UP shield. What railroad is that?– Kevin Margan, Madison, Wis. A Normally any reporting mark not ending is “X” indeed stands for a railroad company (“X” signifying privately owned cars), and UP, like several Class Is, still uses initials of railroads […]
Section: Ask Trains
Ask Trains from November 2006
Q On the front of a typical diesel locomotive are six “hoses.” Please define their purpose. Further, above the coupler is what appears to be a shorting hose. What is that? – Howard Beard, New Port Richey, Fla. A What you’re seeing is two sets of three hoses that are part of a train’s air-brake […]
Ask Trains from May 2007
Q On page 57 of January TRAINS is a magnificent photo of a BNSF train about to hit the diamonds at Savanna, Ill. What intrigues me is thepattern on the railheads within the diamond. They appear to be deliberate and not just from wear. Is there a reason for them, or are my eyes deceiving […]
Ask Trains from September 2007
Q Lately I have noticed that many freight cars, including tank cars, boxcars, and hoppers, have five to seven vertical reflective strips on their sides. What’s the deal? — Frank C. Darling Jr., Wolcott, N.Y. A The objective is better nighttime visibility. In January 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration issued “The Final Rule on Reflectorization […]
Ask Trains from May 2008
Q As a boy, I used to watch the magnificent Southern Pacific cab-forward steam locomotives on their way to Donner Summit in Northern California. Someone referred to them as Mallets. What’s the true definition of a Mallet? — C.W. Haffey, Bakersfield, Calif. A By definition, a Mallet (mal-LAY) is an articulated, meaning the two engine […]
Ask Trains from October 2008
Q My 5-year-old grandson asked me, “Where do engineers go to the bathroom?” I told him that locomotives probably have a restroom similar to those on airplanes. What restroom facilities are available on locomotives, and where are they located? Who runs the train in his absence? Are comfort breaks governed by either federal or union […]
Slow postwar steamers
Q: I have two postwar steamers that run, but very slowly. The no. 681 Pennsy turbine has been run so much that the drivers have grooves in them. My no. 736 Berkshire has a similar malady. Since they have sentimental value from my early days, I’d still like to run them, rather than buying new […]
Locomotive lubrication
Q: I know that this sounds silly, but I get confused about what you are supposed to lubricate, especially the difference between the old postwar Lionel steamers and modern engines with can motors. Can you explain just what gets lubricated? – Erik via internet A: One similarity between postwar steamers and modern steam locomotives is […]
Storing trains
Q: I have Marx and Lionel trains and accessories, both old and new. How do I store them so that my daughters and I can enjoy them when we move to a new home with more space? My house has just two levels and three bedrooms. We live in Maryland and the temperature and humidity […]
Running multiple trains with a ZW
Q: I know there are four variable voltage controls on my Lionel 275-watt ZW transformer, but how many trains can I effectively run at the same time? – D. O. A: The number of trains you can run with a ZW depends on the locomotives and what they’re pulling. Large steamers and dual-motored diesels use […]
No juice
Q: I have a Lionel no. 1033, 90-watt transformer that works fine. However, after abut 10 minutes of operation, any locomotive begins to slow considerably, eventually stopping altogether. The engine is okay, and I’ve used other transformers with it. Any idea what’s wrong? – S.B. A: The symptions you described lead me to believe your […]
Where are the parts?
Q: Could you please tell me how I can find parts for my Lionel trains, which were made from 1949-1965? I am trying to restore them for my son. Is there a place to order parts? Is it from Lionel? How do I go about contacting them? – J.S. A: Most parts are still available. […]
