Visiting the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Chama, New Mexico, might be some of the most sacred ground for 1920s railroad and steam locomotive enthusiasts. That’s the western end of the mighty Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, and it’s the site of an authentic shop, yard, and depot. It’s the start of the dramatic eastbound climb across […]
Section: Videos & Photos
Budget railroading: dollar store finds
Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller prowls the dollar store aisles in search of inexpensive items that are useful on the workbench or layout. […]
Video Making Model Railroader in 1940
Produced by the MR staff in 1940, this home movie shows how things were done to make the model railroading hobby’s premier publication back in the “good old days.” […]
Back on Track: Finishing the helix, Episode 6
As the world and Gerry’s helix continues to turn, he deals with its ups and downs. See how he works to avoid wavering levels on each turn of the helix. And you won’t want to miss the first running train on the new layout. […]
Back on Track: Building benchwork and beginning stage of a helix, Episode 5
Even with a little help from a friend, host Gerry Leone still struggles with benchwork construction. But after setting joists straight and level, he jumps right into raising the grade along the helix. Discover a few new track tips and tricks along the way. […]
Back on Track: Helix construction prep work, Episode 4
With design issues behind him, Gerry begins building the components of a four-turn helix. Even though math is involved in this stage, our host is up to the task. And he’s clever enough to use and share a number of helpful resources that make the process easy to understand and follow. […]
Running American Flyer set no. 20740
Name: Michael Marmer Railroad Name: D&K RR Location: Germantown, Maryland Scale: S Theme: Small town America Description: This is my childhood American Flyer Set that was for the family when it came out in 1958. I was 3 years old and I still remember it being set up and running in the house. I will […]
Athearn Genesis 2.0 EMD SD80MAC
Athearn is rolling out its Genesis 2.0 models and we recently received a sample of the Electro-Motive Division SD80MAC. Sounds features include EMD’s 20-710G3B 20-cylinder diesel engine, and lighting features such as operating ditch lights that flash when the horn in sounded. […]
Flexi-Van innovation
Flexi-Van innovation With highway-wheel bogies in place, New York Central’s Flexi-Van pioneering containers looked like standard truck trailers. Flexi-Van containers had lights, unlike standard shipping containers. New York Central photo […]
Basic Training: Laying Track
Kalmbach’s own Cody Grivno talks through the basic ways of fastening track to a layout so you can run model trains. […]
ScaleTrains.com HO scale CSX Pride in Service GE ES44ACs
CSX is honoring veterans and first responders with three specially painted HO scale General Electric ES44AC locomotives. ScaleTrains.com recently sent us all three examples. We took a look in our workshop and tested them out on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
Swamp Rats
Swamp Rats Argent Lumber 2-6-2 No. 5, a 1910 Lima (left) brings logs to the Bear Creek transfer point as 2-6-0 No. 2, a 1906 Baldwin (right) waits for the exchange. The operation was based in Hardeeville, S.C., and lasted into the late 1950s. Jim Shaughnessy photo […]