Train Sim World 3 | Product Overview

Welcome back to another product overview of the captivating Train Sim World 3 on Trains.com. In this exploration, Host Bryson Sleppy delves into the immersive world of Train Sim World 3, released in 2022 and available on PC, Xbox One and Series S and X, and PlayStation 4 and 5. Players have the unique opportunity […]

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Amtrak Empire Service adventure along the Hudson River

Ride with Trains.com staffer Ben Lake as he enjoys the charm of regional passenger rail services through a scenic journey aboard an Amtrak Empire Service train. Departing from Penn Station in New York City, the train meanders along the Hudson River to Albany, N.Y., offering glimpses of iconic landmarks like the George Washington Bridge. Explore […]

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Guide to N scale couplers

Color photo of freight car truck with a Mange-Matic coupler.

In the 60-plus years that N scale has been around, there has been a great deal of change in couplers. Rapido, an early manufacturer of N scale models (not to be confused with today’s Rapido Trains), let other companies use its coupler design. The wedge-front coupler, which was used on most N scale models (except […]

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Ground foam for model railroad layouts

Red brick industry, boxcar, street with cars, green lawn

What is ground foam for model railroad layouts? When I first came across this phrase, I thought it was foam that was to be used on the ground, that is, for dirt, grass, and weeds. Then I cottoned on – it’s foam that’s been ground up! So, why would people grind up foam? Well, it […]

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Types of model railroad benchwork

One of the first things that you must do when building a model train layout is decide which style of benchwork you will build for the layout. Simple tables A common starter style of model railroad benchwork is just a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood on a tabletop. My first layout was on a […]

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10 vintage toy train items for your holiday layout

green and white switch tower

10 vintage toy train items for your holiday layout The holidays are fast approaching! If you’ll be setting up a display (or a permanent layout), Senior Editor Roger Carp has suggestions for 10 items to add for the most fun! 1. Lionel No. 154 highway signal – for once, its enormous height and out-of-scale proportions […]

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Amtrak Acela adventure along the Northeast Corridor

Join Trains.com staffers Kent Johnson and Ben Lake, as they explore Business Class and First Class experience aboard Amtrak’s Acela high-speed passenger service! From South Station (BOS) to Union Station (NHV), follow the duo as they take the train to work between Boston, Mass. to New Haven, Conn. in Business Class. Then watch as their […]

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Train Life: A Railway Simulator | Product Overview

Host Bryson Sleppy takes train watching in a different direction, as he examines the world of “Train Life: A Railway Simulator,” a captivating railway simulator/game. Developed by Simteract (released in 2022), the game offers an immersive experience across Europe’s major cities like Berlin, Zurich, and Amsterdam. Unlike traditional train simulators, “Train Life” takes you beyond […]

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How to choose a power pack for your model railroad

Blue Kato DC Power Pack

Though multiple manufacturers offer power packs meant for model railroads, three main companies currently offer the packs as separate-purchase items: Model Rectifier Corp., Kato USA, and Bachmann Trains. If you choose to use direct-current control instead of Digital Command Control (DCC) on your layout, buying a DC power pack (or power supply) that fits your […]

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Preview October and November 2023 Garden Railways content

model caboose with figure and dog heading away from you on a garden railway

While we may no longer be printing Garden Railways magazine, we’re adding new content to Trains.com every week! Here’s a few recent items, and a preview of what’s coming in the next month. Become a Trains.com member so you don’t miss any of this great content! If you have a story suggestion, email editor@gardenrailways.com   […]

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LEGO Brick cleaning basics

Trains.com staffers Bryson Sleppy and Rene Schweitzer explore the world of LEGO trains! In this video, the pair examine practices for keeping bricks of all sizes and shapes as clean as possible. Looking for more information on LEGO trains? Find additional videos under Classic Toy Trains’ LEGO trains category! […]

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Blue flags

The side of a yellow and blue locomotive inside a maintenance facility. A blue metal sign hangs from the cab window, labeled in white with the words STOP Employees at Work

Blue flags protect workers. Here’s how they work. A major consideration in railroad operation is the maintenance that must be done on the rolling stock and track if freight and passengers are to be transported in a safe and timely manner. To maintain cars and locomotives, workers must get on, in between, and under them. […]

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