Reading & Northern to launch Pittston-Jim Thorpe excursions

Green and yellow diesel next to tower in mountains

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern will expand its passenger excursion operations in May, launching regular weekend operations between the new Wilkes Barre-Scranton Regional Station in Pittston, Pa., and Jim Thorpe, Pa. The all-day, round-trip excursions will depart Pittston at 9 a.m., making intermediate stops at Penobscot (Mountain Top) and White Haven en route […]

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Brass engine disassembly basics

An image of a model steam locomotive

Brass engine disassembly basics: When I was a kid, I’d go to the local hobby shop and drool over the brass steam locomotives in the glass display case near the cash register. I’d seen most of them in the Pacific Fast Mail advertisements that used to grace the back cover of Model Railroader, and here […]

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NTSB updates preliminary information on East Palestine derailment

Workers and equipment around burned out tank cars

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board has updated its preliminary information on the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment and fire in East Palestine, Ohio, revising the count of cars that derailed to 38 and providing a link to an Environmental Protection Agency list of what those cars were carrying. In all, the train included […]

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CSX reaches paid sick time agreements with two more labor unions

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached paid sick time agreements with two more unions representing mechanical workers, the railroad announced today. The agreements, which provide four paid sick days, were reached with divisions of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. Specifically, the deals cover members of the […]

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Lego Trains for Large Scale Rails

green and white Lego diesel engine

Lego Trains for Large Scale Rails In the Summer 2019 issue, Gary Raymond shares how he modified Lego trains to run on gauge-1 track. Here, Ben Lake has shown the steps to build a Mack diesel using Lego parts. Download the PDF below and share what you build with us! […]

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White Pygmy cypress

small evergreen tree on garden railroad

White Pygmy cypress Latin name: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘White Pygmy’ Common name: White Pygmy cypress Plant type: Dwarf conifer Growth rate: 12″ x 14″ wide USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8 Cultural needs: Sun to part shade, rich soil, moderate water White Pygmy is one of the smallest dwarf conifers available, usually growing only to a foot tall […]

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