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The holidays are here! Depending on where you are, COVID-19 might be restricting your 2020 seasonal shopping opportunities, but that doesn’t have to stop you from getting the perfect gift for your loved ones! Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers, starter sets, or something unique for the modeler who has everything, we’ve got you covered …
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The Chicago and North Western Railway was in many ways the quintessential midwestern railroad. Operating thousands of miles of trackage primarily serving agricultural customers, the company was also known for its high speed intercity passenger services. At its peak, the railroad was ranked as one of the largest owners of total track mileage in the …
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Although model railroads are a year-round hobby, there’s just something about the holiday season that seems synonymous with the hobby. Perhaps it’s those childhood memories of unwrapping your first train set at Christmas? Maybe it’s a recollection of the massive layouts assembled each year in major department stores? If you’re from Maryland like us, perhaps …
The Prototype The 20th Century Limited was an express passenger service operated between New York City and Chicago by the New York Central Railroad. First launched in 1902, the service ran for more than 60 years, before being canceled upon the New York Central’s merger with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1967. Initially devised to compete …
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Founded in Philadelphia in 1833, Bachmann is one of the world’s oldest hobby manufactures. With more than 60 years of experience in the model train industry alone, they are also one of the most popular. Today Bachmann maintains a presence in the UK, Europe, and China in addition to the US, with one of the …
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With predecessors tracing back to 1830, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s legacy is one of the oldest in the United States, and with more than 10,000 miles of track at it’s peak, the PRR is recognized as one of the greatest business enterprises of the 20th century. In this article, we’re exploring the history and legacy of …
With the restoration of Big Boy #4014 by the Union Pacific railway in 2019, and the locomotive’s subsequent participation in the Spike150 celebrations in Utah, both Athearn Genesis and Broadway Limited Imports have rereleased their HO Scale Big Boys with new features and details, paying tribute to this now famous example. In this article, we’re …
From the crunching of leaves under your feat, to the slight crisp in the air, Fall is high on the list of most people’s favorite seasons. It’s no secret as to why – vibrantly colored forests, elaborate halloween decorations, and of course, pumpkin spice! What’s not to love? For model railroaders, Fall presents a challenge …
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MOW (or Maintenance of Way) trains are an essential yet often overlooked component of every railroad’s roster. Usually having the appearance of a somewhat normal freight consist to the untrained eye, MOW trains are quite literally the trains which keep the railroad running. In this article, we’re going to explore the different types of MOW …
Found across the country from small towns to major cities, yards are the beating heart of the railroad. A typical freight yard will often lie at a strategic point in a railroad’s system, usually where multiple routes come together. Here the railroad can switch cars between trains, store equipment while not being used, and service …
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