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 …
Top Holiday Gifts For Model Train Enthusiasts
Top Holiday Gifts For Model Train Enthusiasts The holidays are almost upon us, which means it’s time to scratch our heads and think about what the perfect gifts for our loved ones look like. If you’re looking to buy gifts for model train lovers, we’re here to take the head-scratching out of the equation. Here …
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Percy The Small Engine: A Great Gift For Children
Percy The Small Engine: A Great Gift For Children If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a younger model railroader, you’re not exactly short of options! At the same time, more choice isn’t always a good thing, especially if you find yourself looking at 10 different trains and want to make sure to buy …
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Train Scales: Understanding The Various Classifications
Getting started with model railroading is always exhilarating. While doing so isn’t as simple as just deciding to go ahead and buy loads of stuff, planning is a massive part of the fun! There are quite a few options of scale model trains to choose from, and we’re outlining everything you need to know so …
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Modeling After History: Guide To Building Your Model Railway Based On History
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 …
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Labor Day and the American Railroad Worker
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 …
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Articulated and Mallet Locomotives
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 …
Taking Water on the Fly
Steam locomotives had a great thrust for water. In the early days of the railroading when schedules were more casual and division points were smaller, frequent stops for water posed no great problem. But when speed became paramount and runs became longer, frequent stops for water became problematic, especially when intense competition existed between two …
The Golden Empire of the Southern Pacific
No railroad is more closely associated with the Golden State than the Southern Pacific. That dynamic association was founded in 1865 when the Southern Pacific was formed as a land holding company. That early broad focus gave SP a natural advantage to maximize diversification years later. In 1885 they acquired the Central Pacific Railroad and …
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Trains Of The Summer
Travel has long been associated with the summer months. In the age before air-conditioning, individuals of all ages and all walks of life went to great lengths to cool off. Whether it was for one day, a weekend or an extended vacation, people took to the rails to find relief from the brutal heat of …