Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACU diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime. Era: 2016 to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com SD70ACU diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Celcon handrails Detailed cab interior Die-cast metal […]
Type of Train: Diesel Locomotives
B&O E7 diesels on POTUS special
Baltimore & Ohio E7 diesels in A-B-A formation head a train carrying President Truman, on the campaign trail for re-election, at Gary, Ind., on Oct. 25, 1948. B&O photo […]
St. Paul Union Depot — Another great Amtrak station
St. Paul Union Depot is a 105 year-old grand structure in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. In the early 20th century, it was the transportation center for this entire area. Then, like many depots in America, it fell on hard times. But today it’s been restored and remodeled. Now, it’s not only a […]
St. Paul Union Depot — Another great Amtrak station
St. Paul Union Depot is a 105 year-old grand structure in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. In the early 20th century, it was the transportation center for this entire area. Then, like many depots in America, it fell on hard times. But today it’s been restored and remodeled. Now, it’s not only a […]
How to disassemble a locomotive in HO scale
How to disassemble a locomotive without damaging it and then reassembling it is one of the more advanced tasks of a model railroader. Some people just want to see the inside of the locomotive, while more often, there’s a circuit board that needs repair or replacement, gears that need lubricating, or a faulty wire or […]
General Motors Diesel Division F59PH diesel locomotive from Rapido Trains
General Motors Diesel Division F59PH diesel locomotive from Rapido Trains Eric White, Editor of Model Railroader magazine, reviews the new HO scale General Motors Diesel Division F59PH diesel locomotive from Rapido Trains and takes it on a tour of our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Features on the four-axle model include an injection-molded […]
Amtrak Midwest Venture car adventure
In August of 2022, Trains.com staff had a chance to travel from Chicago, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo., along the Illinois Hi-speed Rail corridor. For this trip, riders were treated to the newest equipment operating in the Amtrak Midwest fleet, Siemens-built Venture coaches. Discover some of the major (and subtle ones too!) features these coaches […]
Amtrak Midwest Venture car adventure
In August of 2022, Trains.com staff had a chance to travel from Chicago, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo., along the Illinois Hi-speed Rail corridor. For this trip, riders were treated to the newest equipment operating in the Amtrak Midwest fleet, Siemens-built Venture coaches. Discover some of the major (and subtle ones too!) features these coaches […]
Locomotive issues lead to Metrolink train cancellations (updated)
LOS ANGELES — Mechanical issues that have taken 19 of its 55 locomotives out of service have led commuter rail operator Metrolink to reduce service on three of its routes this week. The cancellations began Tuesday, Aug. 23, and cover one round trip on each line. After initially being announced as extending until further notice, […]
General Electric ET44 diesel locomotive from ScaleTrains
General Electric ET44 diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $174.99; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder, $269.99 Era: 2014-present (depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 7598 Highway 411, Benton, TN 37307; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com Features: Road-number-specific details Factory-installed details including wire grab irons, m.u. clusters, uncoupling levers, windshield wipers, and […]
Amtrak insider travel tips from Marc Magliari
Trains.com Director David Popp sits down with Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari for a casual conversation about traveling aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, one of America’s premiere, long-distance passenger trains. On the Empire Builder route between Chicago, Ill., and Seattle, Wash./Portland, Ore., passengers get to experience bustling urban centers and the natural beauty of two mountain ranges. […]
Amtrak insider travel tips from Marc Magliari
Trains.com Director David Popp sits down with Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari for a casual conversation about traveling aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, one of America’s premiere, long-distance passenger trains. On the Empire Builder route between Chicago, Ill., and Seattle, Wash./Portland, Ore., passengers get to experience bustling urban centers and the natural beauty of two mountain ranges. […]