Las Vegas high speed project reaches agreement to build along I-15

virgin_trains

Tuesday afternoon rail news: Caltrans, high speed project reach agreement on use of state-owned right-of-way The California Department of Transportation and Xpress West, the Virgin Trains USA/Brightline subsidiary planning to build a high speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev., have reached agreement on a lease allowing the rail line to build […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of July 2, 2020

Yellow, pink, and blue train cars

Check out the latest HO and N scale model railroad products from Accurail, Kato USA, Micro-Trains Line Co., and more! HO scale locomotives Alco RSD-5 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Chicago & North Western (yellow and green); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (pinstripe scheme); and Southern Pacific (“black widow” scheme). Two road numbers per scheme; […]

Read More…

Ask MR: Where can I find scale drawings of the K-27?

Model Railroader placeholder image

Question: When I was young, my father collected issues of Model Railroader. Some issues were lost when we moved. One of the lost issues contained scale drawings of the Denver & Rio Grande outside-frame narrow gauge 2-8-2 steam locomotive. I’d be very happy to know if such a scale drawing can still be bought. I’ve […]

Read More…

Remembering the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway

In historic TH&B turf, against the backdrop of Lake Ontario and amid the vineyards at aptly named Vinemount, Ontario, Geeps 76 and 77 roll the Port Maitland local east on March 29, 1982. Greg McDonnell History of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Canada, thanks to its two transcontinental giants after 1923, had few small “regional” […]

Read More…

Unintended clearance test

Modified for trailer-on-flatcar service as a test by Penn Central, a former Flexi-Van car carried trailers back-to-back.

  At the time of their merger in 1968, both the Pennsylvania and New York Central had extensive intermodal operations, with PRR using conventional Trailer Train cars in piggyback service and NYC using Flexi-Van equipment in an early form of containerized traffic. Penn Central retained both systems initially, but Flexi-Van traffic gradually declined. By late […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of June 25, 2020

Milwaukee, Racine, and Troy boxcar

See the latest model railroad products in HO, N, O, and large scales! HO scale freight cars American Car & Foundry 4,600-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay Center Flow covered hopper. Burlington Northern (1979 as-delivered scheme in nine road numbers [three single cars and two three-packs]), Chicago & Eastern Illinois (gray with “buzzsaw” herald, two numbers), Family Lines (gray […]

Read More…

Remembering Texas & Pacific Railway locomotives

A locomotive fastly moving by with black smoke coming out of its chimney

Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In June 2020, we celebrate the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the T&P’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might […]

Read More…

Lionel LionMaster 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive

Lionel LionMaster 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive

O gauge Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy by Lionel Price: $1199.99 no. 1932163 Features: O-31 operation, two can-style motors, LionChief Plus 2.0 command and sound system, smoke unit, remote coupler Low speed (cmd): 1.7 scale mph Low speed (conv) 3 smph High speed: 76.2 smph Drawbar pull: 2 lb., 2 oz. Current production road name: […]

Read More…

Atlas O Trainman O gauge Chesapeake & Ohio cupola caboose

Atlas O Trainman O gauge Chesapeake & Ohio cupola caboose

Price: $66.95 (undecorated, $64.95) Features: Separate, factory-applied window awnings, window glazing, smokestack, brake wheels, roof grab irons, and see-through running boards; die-cast metal couplers; solid-bearing caboose trucks; plastic underframe with molded brake detail; interior lighting with on/off control switch on underbody Minimum diameter curve: O-31 Road names:Boston & Maine (blue, white, and orange), Burlington Northern […]

Read More…