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Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 from Athearn Genesis

By | October 17, 2022
Drawing of yellow and black diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $229.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $329.99. Era: 1973+ to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive features: Road-number-specific details Trainline and m.u. hoses Walkway tread detail Separate, factory-installed uncoupling levers, […]

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Keep garden railroad buildings dry

By Todd Haskins | October 17, 2022
scene of structures on a garden railway

It is difficult to keep garden railroad buildings dry. We have all spent hours constructing fine models of buildings for our railroads. Depending on your climate, they are not out long before they start to decay. More and more modelers are turning to plastic composite materials to build with, but certain plastic materials can be […]

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How to use a scale rule

By Marty McGuirk | October 17, 2022
hand with pencil and scale rule

You’ve found that perfect structure in an article or prototype drawing in Model Railroader magazine. The only problem is the plan is S scale and you’re an N scaler. You could use a photocopier to quickly enlarge or reduce a published plan to your scale. Or you can use the drawing and convert dimensions from […]

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Five mind-blowing Chessie facts

By Bob Lettenberger, Trains Associate Editor | October 17, 2022
Etching of sleeping kitten

Mind-blowing Chessie facts Mind-blowing Chessie facts: What began as a simple etching of a sleeping kitten, blossomed into one of America’s most-loved corporate symbols. This is the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway’s Chessie Cat. Trains collectionAmerican businesses have fostered a plethora of advertising characters attempting to endear us to their products and entice us to purchase […]

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Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 powers benefit train for Altoona museum

By Dan Cupper | October 17, 2022
Large steam locomotive with passenger train on curve at dusk

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Echoing off the walls of the Cumberland Narrows, a Pennsylvania Railroad three-chime passenger whistle symbolized a new preservation partnership between the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pa., and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. An evening dinner train to benefit restoration of the museum’s PRR Class K4s 4-6-2 engine No. 1361 (Juniata Shops, […]

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Canadian National receives first diesel in Wabtec remanufacturing order

By David Lassen | October 17, 2022
Red, white, and black locomotive outside factory

FORT WORTH, Texas — On a sunny Thursday afternoon, officials from Canadian National Railway and Wabtec gathered outside Wabtec’s Fort Worth locomotive factory to celebrate the delivery of a brand new locomotive for Canadian National Railway. Or so it appeared. In fact, the officials were posing for photos with AC44C6M No. 3300, the first of […]

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Locomotive loan allows Maine Narrow Gauge to keep operating

By Wayne Laepple | October 17, 2022
Small green diesel locomotive with open air passenger car and caboose

PORTLAND, Maine — When Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad’s GE diesel No. 1 came up lame last week, the railroad’s close relationship with the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum proved its value. Without another locomotive, Maine Narrow Gauge annulled its trains on Tuesday. Learning of the problem, the WW&F offered its Plymouth diesel No. 52 […]

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FTA has no plans to take over MBTA, administrator says

By | October 17, 2022
Rapid-transit train at station. Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA.

BOSTON — The Federal Transit Administration has no plans to take over operations of the troubled Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said during a Friday hearing that also saw sharp criticism of MBTA management by Massachusetts’ two U.S. senators. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, both Democrats, took part in the […]

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Iowa town passes resolution against CP-KCS merger

By | October 17, 2022
Red locomotive with gondola cars

PRINCETON, Iowa — The town of Princeton has become the latest in Iowa to formally oppose the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, citing concerns over blocked grade crossings, noise, and risks from derailments, among other concerns. The Quad Cities Times reports Mayor Kevin Kernan wrote in an emailed statement that “City officials understand that the […]

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