HornBlasters to enter rail market, sell Leslie products

Locomotive horn in warehouse

TAMPA, Fla. — HornBlasters, which sells train horns for automotive use, has announced it is entering the locomotive market after acquiring assets of the Air Whistles product line of Leslie Circor Leslie Controls. Leslie, founded in 1905, is the oldest locomotive horn manufacturer in the U.S. and one of only two in the country producing […]

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Three-builder consist

Streamlined and road-switcher diesel locomotives with freight train

Three-builder consist A “we ain’t mad at nobody” diesel consist of F3A/F3B/H24-66/RS3 (that’s two EMDs, an FM Train Master, and an Alco) rolls eastbound freight through Fanwood-Scotch Plains, N.J., in the ’60s. Jim McClellan photo […]

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Meet the Modeler: Neal Schorr

A train on Neal Schorr's layout

Neal Schorr’s work has appeared numerous times on the cover of and inside Classic Toy Trains, as well as in our sister publication Model Railroader. He’s an excellent modeler and equally good with a camera. His Pennsylvania RR-themed layout is loaded with scale detail and memorable scenes based on actual locations. Questions & answers My […]

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Washington Hill

Steam-powered train passes a diesel-powered train by a semaphore signal

Washington Hill Electro-Motive F3s on a westbound freight wait in the clear at Chester, Mass., for the New England States to pass on its way to Chicago. Pacific 589 assists the States’ road engine, a three-unit Baldwin diesel, up Washington Hill. James D. Bennett photo […]

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Pennsylvania Railroad HO scale transition era layout images

A train waits a city station

Pennsylvania Railroad HO scale transition era layouts Pennsylvania Railroad HO scale transition era layouts are among the grandest and most visually stunning in model railroading. Bridges, viaducts, and tunnels stitch together verdant vistas. Brunswick green, Tuscan red, or plain black steam and diesel locomotives thread drag freights and limiteds alike through lush canyons, beside quarries, […]

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News photo: Alco returns to operation in Spain

Green and gold streamlined locomotive at station

CASTEJON DE EBRO, Spain — One of the oldest surviving Alco World Series locomotives has been returned to passenger service. Locomotive No. 1603, one of 17 FPD5/DL500A models built by Alco in the U.S. and delivered to Spanish Railways (RENFE) in 1955, is operating after an overhaul completing a 17-year restoration project. The locomotive has […]

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A visit to Len Smith’s O gauge Reading layout

Len Smith's layout and the cover of the November 2021 Classic Toy Trains

Take a ride on Len Smith’s O gauge Reading RR featured in the November 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Modern locomotives and rolling stock plus great scenery make this layout a terrific tribute to his favorite fallen flag. Have a look at the track plan here. […]

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Thanksgiving in Toronto

Thanksgiving in Toronto was about to begin. Shortly before noon, two teenagers swung down from the Pacific’s cab. Just as they hit the station platform, two peeps came from the cab communication whistle. The fireman turned around, waving a good-bye, and Canadian Pacific train 326 was in motion — 11 minutes away from its final […]

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Wabtec signs deal to build, maintain 100 locomotives for Egypt

Red and white diesels with black trim

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has signed contracts to build 100 ES30ACi Evolution Series locomotives for Egyptian National Railways, as well as a multi-year agreement to maintain the fleet. The dual-cab locomotive is designed for high performance in high-temperature environments. It will be equipped with a 12-cylinder, 3,300-hp engine, A.C. traction, individual axle control, and dynamic brakes. […]

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Horseshoe Curve diesel receives new paint

Freshly painted dark green locomotive with gold lettering

A repainting of the Pennsylvania Railroad GP9 diesel locomotive on display at Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark near Altoona, Pa., headlines several developments at the historic site where Norfolk Southern’s former-PRR Pittsburgh Line climbs the Allegheny Mountains. A final detail — applying yellow safety paint to the handrails — took place this week on the […]

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News Photos: Nevada Northern diesel begins journey

Orange locomotive above many-wheeled transport trailer

The return of Kennecott Copper RSD4 No. 201 to its former home at the Nevada Northern Railway has begun. On Nov. 4, the diesel was lifted onto heavy-duty transport equipment to begin the 900-mile, three-week journey from its longtime home at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Wash. The locomotive is scheduled to depart Snoqualmie […]

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News Photo: Canadian Pacific locomotive honors shipper

Orange locomotive lettered for shipping company.

Canadian Pacific has repainted one of its locomotives to recognize container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, the key customer in the railroad’s container service from Port Saint John, New Brunswick, that began earlier this year. The orange ES44AC, No. 8781, was photographed Thursday at CP’s Bensenville Yard in Franklin Park, Ill. – Bruce Leighty […]

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