Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, electronics, and DVD announcements for August 26, 2021

Canadian Pacific “clone” United States Railroad Administration 40-foot boxcar in varying schemes.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 26, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP40 diesel locomotive. New […]

Read More…

N scale Brooklyn Terminal

Overview of a track plan

Facts & features Name: Brooklyn Terminal Scale: N (1:160) Size: 5′-6″ x 7′-4″ Prototype: Bush Terminal, N.Y. Dock Ry., Fulton Terminal Locale: Brooklyn, N.Y. Era: 1940s Style: island Minium radius: 7″ on Unitram street track, 14″ elsewhere Minimum turnout: no. 3 on Unitram street track, no. 6 elsewhere Maximum grade: none (flat) Benchwork: open grid […]

Read More…

Northeast rail service restored after Sunday cancellations

Logo of Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEW YORK — Service has rapidly been restored in the Northeast after a series of rail transit and Amtrak cancellations Sunday because of the arrival of Tropical Storm Henri. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is operating full service today on both its commuter rail lines after suspending operations on parts of both railroads. The Long […]

Read More…

MBTA returns first CRRC trainset to service after March derailment

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

MEDFORD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has returned one of its new rapid-transit trainsets to service after sidelining the equipment as a result of a derailment in March. WCVB-TV reports the Orange Line train built by an affiliate China’s CRRC at a Springfield, Mass., facility was returned to service on Friday after the […]

Read More…

Germany hit by second national rail strike in two weeks

German_Trains_Lassen

BERLIN — German passenger rail service is in the midst of a second two-day strike this month, part of a larger action by the GDL union, which represents the nation’s train drivers in a dispute with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Freight-train drivers went on strike at 5 p.m. local time Friday, with passenger drivers […]

Read More…

Soldier Summit

Streamlined passenger train rolls into valley alongside yard tracks filled with hoppers

Soldier Summit The eastbound California Zephyr catches the morning sun at Soldier Summit, Utah, in August 1959. Ahead: a full day of breathtaking scenery on the Denver & Rio Grande Western, which the train used for 570 miles of its 2,518-mile, three-railroad route. Fred Matthews photo […]

Read More…

HO scale Santa Fe Shortline

Overview of a track plan

The layout at a glance Name: Santa Fe Shortline (SFS) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 7′-0″ x 8′-0″ Prototype: Freelanced Santa Fe shortline Era: April 1961 Style: Island Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: Plywood base on bookcases Height: 37″ Roadbed: None Track: Atlas Snap-Track Scenery: Sculptamold […]

Read More…

Thrift stores have cheap stuff for your train layout

Three ceramic Christmas buildings

Thrift stores can hold a wealth of treasures for hobbyists, if you know where to look. I have suggestions of which departments to look for items for your layout. I suggest going into a store with an open mind. For just a few dollars and a maybe a bit of paint, you might find something […]

Read More…