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 …
Continue reading “5 Essential Elements for Building a Fall Layout”
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 …
Continue reading “5 Essential Features for a Modern Rail Yard”
Streetcars can be a great addition to any layout, whether featured as a major component, or as an element of interest in a larger scene. In this article, we’re going to look at the hallmarks of North American streetcar systems, and how to incorporate them into your layout. Overview The first electric streetcar system opened …
Era Overview As the Transitional Era drew to a close, the future of railroads looked uncertain. Following years of financial strain and increased competition, it was clear that the role of the railroad in American life was changing. Railroads no longer cornered the market for transportation, and instead would have to adapt to become a …
Era Overview The Transitional Age (1940-1970) was an era of contrasts, struggles, and massive technological developments. Beginning at the start of World War Two, railroading’s future was looking up. Following a slow but steady decline in passenger revenues during the previous decade (thanks to the development of the automobile) passenger and freight numbers bounced back …
One of the great things about model railroading is the ever-increasing durability of available products. Most new or recent locomotives, rolling stock, and track, will likely yield many years of enjoyable use, with minimal maintenance required. However, to ensure a long lifespan for your collection, some basic TLC will always be needed. By keeping on …
Continue reading “5 Easy Maintenance Tips for Smooth Operation”
Era Overview Following the explosive growth of railroad technology and routes during the Pioneer Era, the Golden Era (1910 – 1940) was arguably the finest era of classic railroading. Trains had solidly established themselves as America’s primary transportation method, and it was during this time that the United States would hit it’s peak of 254,000 …
One of the great things about model railroading is the flexibility we have in terms of what we can do with our layouts – we can create the feel of any time, place, or season. From the arctic cold of northern Canada, to the sunny beaches of south Florida. As we enjoy the warm weather …
A few months ago we outlined the basic hallmarks of the 5 key eras of railroading history. In this new series, we’ll be taking a closer look into 4 of these eras, examining what types of rolling stock, locomotives, industries, and scenery items would best fit these periods on your model railroad. For our first …