Deepen your passion for model railroading. Learn about the history of trains and locomotives in the United States dating back over 100 years ago.
The age of great railroad mergers produced the BNSF of today. A leader in the industry and a favorite of investors, BNSF will likely remain in the forefront for years to come. Yet, the affiliation of today’s giant races its roots to the early part of the 20th century. Empire Builder James J. Hill saw …
This week we honor President’s Day and all the great leaders of our land that have served our Great Nation. Our railroads have demonstrated their respect for the Commander in Chief in different ways over the course of time. What is clearly first place going to the Chesapeake & Ohio Lines by honoring the first …
Few corporations have had the profound impact on an industry to the level of the Baltimore & Ohio. The very inception of the B&O on February 27, 1827 nationally triggered the first intelligent consideration and later application of rail technology in interstate commerce. Prior to that date, the few primitive rail operations had very limited …
New wealth of the 1920s jump-started ski clubs and skiers’ rode trains to the Laurentians, the Adirondacks, the Rockies, the Sierra. The Great Depression cut into railroad revenues, creative railroad marketing managers and travel agents in New England and elsewhere hit upon the idea of special weekend excursion trains. In that era most railroads had …
Trains carrying the Texas Eagle name have been running on American railroads and helping people travel across the country for over 70 years. Today’s Texas Eagle service was born from the Amtrak Inter-American service but still holds connections to the original service operated by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Texas and Pacific Railway from …
Continue reading “History of the Amtrak Inter-American and Texas Eagle”
Most of us are drawn trackside by the action, brute energy and speed of a passing train. No matter what era, the sight of train in motion at very least catches our attention and often makes a lasting impression that prompts photographers to stand trackside with camera in hand and modelers to try and replicate …
We honor the men and women that have served our Great Nation in the various branches of the Armed Services and respectfully remember those that have given for their Country. Many aspects of our society have changed but the importance of this day must remain aloof and untainted from contemporary debates and division that we …
With nearly 200 years of history from which to seek inspiration, it can be challenging to know where to start when modeling historic railroads. While many model railroaders love modeling a specific era, going even further and modeling a particular railroad is also hugely popular. This is driven by two things: model railroaders with …
Continue reading “Modeling After History: Guide To Building Your Model Railway Based On History”
We celebrate workers of all descriptions and all occupations that drive the engine of commerce on our Great Nation. That spirit is exemplified by the American railroad worker. This weekend we cast the spotlight on those men and women that are responsible for the operation and management of our great railway network of today. That …
Continue reading “Labor Day and the American Railroad Worker”
Articulated locomotives, popularly known as Mallets, have captivated model railroaders and railroad enthusiasts for nearly 100 years with good reason. The sight and sounds of those monsters of the railroads left an indelible image in the minds of many that is kept alive with current steam restoration projects like Union Pacific “Big Boy” and the …