New model trains for the week of May 21, 2020

Rapido Trains HO scale Alco/Montreal Locomotive Works FA-2, FPA-2, FB-2, and FPB-2 diesel locomotives

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP59 and GP60 diesel locomotives. GP59: Electro-Motive Division demonstrator and Norfolk Southern (Operation Lifesaver 25th anniversary scheme and Southern Ry. heritage scheme, one number each). GP60: BNSF Ry. (Heritage III in two numbers, Vermont Ry. patchout in one number), CSX (dark blue and yellow), Denver & Rio Grande Western (black […]

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Rail writer, editor, historian Peter A. Hansen dies

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WINTER PARK, Fla. — Railroad writers rarely are known for wide exposure in multiple forms of national media, but Peter A. Hansen was a major exception. He not only edited the venerable publication Railroad History and wrote frequent long-form stories for Trains and Classic Trains, he also hosted or appeared in several nationally broadcast television […]

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Video: Art Williams O gauge layout

Art Williams’ 20 x 65-foot O gauge toy train layout features equipment from Lionel, MTH, Atlas O and more, as well as small-town and industrial scenes. The main level of Art’s O gauge layout boasts a double-track main line extending more than 200 feet. […]

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‘Carolinian’ set for full return June 1; other Amtrak changes not yet finalized (corrected)

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Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]

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Video: Art Williams O gauge layout

Art Williams’ 20 x 65-foot O gauge toy train layout features equipment from Lionel, MTH, Atlas O and more, as well as small-town and industrial scenes. The main level of Art’s O gauge layout boasts a double-track main line extending more than 200 feet. […]

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Ask MR: How best to shrink a structure’s footprint?

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Question: I’m in a conundrum and would love to hear an expert’s opinion. I’m planning to build a replica of an Alexandria, Minn., cold storage building for our club’s HO scale layout. If the structure is to fit the space, it will have to be selectively compressed, compromising its accuracy. To remain proportionally accurate, it […]

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Bachmann HO scale Russian Decapod 2-10-0

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With its small drivers, open space under the boiler, and European look, a “Russian” Decapod 2-10-0 is very recognizable to most steam aficionados. We first reviewed Bachmann’s Spectrum series model of this distinctive prototype back in the April 2002 issue. Featuring the same high level of detail, this latest release of the Russian Decapod features […]

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