MTH HO scale EMD GP38-2

MTH HO scale GP38-2 diesel locomotive The HO scale locomotive’s die-cast metal frame encloses the motor, flywheels, and gear towers. The printed-circuit board is attached to the top. The MTH Ready-2-Rail model’s molded detail is well-defined and matches the prototype. The handrails are flexible plastic to resist breaking. A four-axle road switcher that would look […]

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Trainfest 2016 show report

Athearn Trains HO scale General Electric ES44DC HO scale locomotives General Electric ES44DC. BNSF Ry. (Heritage II and III schemes), CSX (primer gray and as-delivered schemes), Norfolk Southern (primer gray and horsehead silhouette). Four road numbers per scheme (primer gray in two numbers each). Detailed cab interior, illuminated ditch lights, and railroad-specific cab detail. Direct-current […]

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New model trains for the week of November 3, 2016

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD39 diesel locomotive. Andesite Rock Co. (Denver & Rio Grande Western scheme, two road numbers); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Boston & Maine (Guilford scheme); Southern Pacific; Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern (two numbers); and Progressive Rail (one number). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Factory-installed grab irons, Flexicoil-C trucks with […]

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Locomotive gear ratios

Electric and diesel locomotives’ top speeds are governed by gear ratios and safe operations, like this Union Pacific westbound near Franklin Grove, Ill. Brian Schmidt Q What determines the theoretical top speed of a diesel locomotive? Is it the gear ratio? What other factors enter in? – Mike Pedersen, North Berwick, Maine A The maximum […]

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In the hole

  A southbound Norfolk Southern freight takes the siding at South Leesburg, Ind., on May 16, 2011. The former New York Central branch line was upgraded with Pennsylvania-style position light signals recycled from other routes during Penn Central ownership. Photo by Bob Jordan […]

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2016 Trains Photo Contest Winners: Water

FULL SCREEN Brandon Townley A Loram crew sprays water to prevent fires from forming, following the rail-grinding process on Norfolk Southern’s Sandusky District in Chatfield, Ohio. FULL SCREEN David Honan Westbound manifest train M-LAUPAS passes through this dramatic scene on Montana Rail Link’s 4th Subdivision at Hope, Idaho, on Aug. 31, 2014. FULL SCREEN Mitch […]

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Atlas HO scale GP38 diesel locomotive

Atlas HO scale GP38 diesel locomotive I heard the realistic rumble of the Electro-Motive Division 645 diesel engine when I set the Atlas HO scale GP38 on the rails of our test track. The biggest upgrade of this latest release of the GP38 is that it now comes factory-equipped with an ESU LokSound Select dual-mode […]

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Take a look at this painted pony NEWSWIRE

Norfolk Southern AC44C6M No. 4002 in the railroad’s latest “mane” paint scheme, a “Roanoke prototype” mane with a Tuscan Red stripe. Norfolk Southern ALTOONA, Pa. — Norfolk Southern has released an image of the latest version of its prototype “mane” paint scheme: a mane with a Tuscan Red stripe behind the cab. According to a […]

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