Organizers of this year’s International Small Scale Steam Up in Diamondhead Miss. are excited to welcome you to their 2022 event. The annual show, which started in 1993, features a vendor room, flea market, operating live-steam tracks, and plenty of time for camaraderie and conversation with fellow enthusiasts. The event welcomes newcomers and experienced hobbyists […]
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 makes successful test run
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad made a successful test run on Thursday over the tourist line’s 16-mile route between Cumberland and Frostburg, moving closer to its scheduled debut in Polar Express service. The Cumberland Times-News quotes Western Maryland Scenic general manager Wesley Heinz as saying the 2-6-6-2 “ran trouble free. There will be […]
How to troubleshoot and disassemble an HO scale brass steam locomotive
Senior Editor Eric White evaulates and troubleshoots an HO scale brass steam locomotive from Sunset Models to figure out why the gearbox isn’t turning. […]
How to troubleshoot and disassemble an HO scale brass steam locomotive
Senior Editor Eric White evaulates and troubleshoots an HO scale brass steam locomotive from Sunset Models to figure out why the gearbox isn’t turning. […]
Sugar Express to operate steam Santa Train special on Saturday
CLEWISTON, Fla. — U.S. Sugar’s Sugar Express will operate a Santa Train powered by ex-Florida East Coast 4-6-2 No. 148 this Saturday, delivering toys for the Toys for Tots programs in Moore Haven, Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Martin County. The trip will begin with a 7:30 a.m. arrival in Belle Glade, Fla. The train will […]
Preparing a K4
At the Pennsylvania’s South Amboy, N.J., engine terminal in the mid-1950s, a hostler shovels coal into the firebox of a K4s Pacific in preparation for its next run. Don Wood photo […]
B&O 2-8-2 at rest
Baltimore & Ohio 2-8-2 No. 4858 stands with a caboose at the road’s terminal at Cowen, W.Va., in May 1952. B&O adopted the name “MacArthur” for its 2-8-2 Mikado types during World War II and referred to them as such until the end of steam. Ed Theisinger photo […]
Remnant of a dream
The Kansas City, Mexico & Orient was conceived to connect Kansas City with the nearest Pacific Ocean port — Topolobampo, Mexico. Although major portions of the route were built on both sides of the border, the dream was never realized. The Santa Fe bought the KCM&O in 1924, then sold the Mexican portions. In this […]
Nevada Northern Railway’s 2-8-0 No. 81 in steam
In Fall 2021, Nevada Northern Railway celebrated the return of 2-8-0 Consolidation-type steam locomotive No. 81 after sitting cold for decades. No. 81’s return also coincided with the 81st anniversary of Trains Magazine, whose staff cancelled most celebrations in 2020 because of the on-going pandemic. Join Trains Editor Jim Wrinn, Nevada Northern crews, and a […]
Oklahoma troop train
Oklahoma troop train Santa Fe 4-6-2 1311 rolls east with a 13-car troop train near Quinlan, Okla., on Mar. 16, 1946. The train consists of 5 standard sleepers, 6 troop sleepers, and 2 troop kitchen cars, plus a caboose at the rear. R. H. Kindig photo […]
Cumbres & Toltec sets 2022 schedule, offers Cyber Monday ticket deal
CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has announced its 2022 schedule, just weeks after concluding the 2021 season, and is offering a Cyber Monday special on tickets today (Monday, Nov. 29). “We wanted to get out early and build on the incredible success and momentum of our 2021 season,” railroad President Scott […]
The versatile 2-8-2 Mikado
The 2-8-2 Mikado-type steam locomotive was the first with a firebox behind the drivers and supported by a trailing truck. Originally conceived by Baldwin Locomotive Works and the narrow gauge Interoceanic Railway in Mexico, the first U.S. Mikado was a 50-inch drivered Baldwin built in 1901 for the Bismarck, Washburn & Great Northern. In 1902, […]