David King from Australia wants to model Burlington Northern and BNSF, but most of the models are on back-order. Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno is here to explain why that might be. […]
Trouble with locomotives on back-order
Section: Videos & Photos
Iowa Pacific Railroad equipment in late 2021
ALAMOSA, Colorado — Iowa Pacific Railroad equipment rolled out of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley bound for days of fun, music, and beer in the Colorado mountains until just a few years ago. The Illinois Central colors of Iowa Pacific Holdings and the trains of the San Luis & Rio Grande added to the […]
State Line Route in N scale: Wiring a layout for DC power, Episode 8
After a quick update with Jenny to see how her Walther’s bungalow kit is coming along, David gets to work on electrical projects. Follow along, and you’ll see how he installed feeder wires and added a power bus line under the State Line Route N scale layout. […]
Professor Carp: Kusan produces boxcars in Mexico
Classic Toy Trains’ Professor Carp looks at the history of Kusan boxcars. He shows some examples and details the company’s manufacturing in Tennessee and Mexico, where a number of interesting variations of the company’s “K” Series cars were produced. Those produced south of the border fetch a premium. […]
Add a solar-powered light to a large-scale cabin
Garden Railways Editor Hal Miller shows step-by-step how to illuminate a PIKO cabin kit with an inexpensive solar-powered path light available from a home improvement store. […]
Wood-burning steam locomotive special event
Wood-burning steam locomotive event in 2021 Wood-burning steam locomotive trains were the highlight of a September 2021 celebration of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad that is automatically a step back in time to the 1920s. With the inclusion of the older locomotives, the clock turned back further, to about 1900. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed […]
An Atlas coil car, Locomotive 2021 from Trains magazine, and an Athearn Genesis GP15-1 diesel locomotive. Plus a modeling tip and a big announcement!
After more than a year of filming episodes in his basement and in the MR workshop, Cody Grivno is back in the office! In this episode, he will take a look at an Atlas N scale 48-foot coil car, an Athearn Genesis HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 road diesel, and the Locomotive 2021 annual from […]
CTT’s fall 2021 special: Toy train layouts for small spaces
The latest special issue from Classic Toy Trains! If you’re looking to build your first toy train layout, or maybe just something more manageable, Toy Train Layouts for Small Spaces has you covered! It’s full of plans for layouts under 100 square feet that will fit in a spare room, including island and around the […]
State Line Route in N scale: Bridge installation and laying curved track, Episode 7
In this episode, David’s projects include repairing benchwork, installing a bridge, and laying curved track sections. Tune in for David’s tips and techniques for making flowing, smooth curves with Micro Engineering Flex-Track. […]
Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Overland Edition, Part 1
Before heading westward, our hard-drivin’ rail adventurer Tom Danneman walks and talks you around his trail-rated 4×4 truck. This time out, Tom’s son is riding shotgun, so rooftop camping is also part of the off-road trackside trek! […]
The Garden Variety Railroad Show: Visiting the Burlington Garden Center, Episode 5
Hal and Rene are on location at the Burlington Garden Center in Burlington, Wisconsin. In this episode, they showcase the garden center’s railway display, show you tips on weathering a structure, and update you on Cody’s diesel locomotive project! […]
