Following the Transitional Era, railroads were no longer the primary method for moving people and goods; they now had to adapt by shedding unprofitable services and aggressively embrace new freight car designs, partner with shippers to advance unit train operations and improve diesel-electric motive power designs. Working in concert with trucking companies, railroads developed trailer …
The Transitional Era (1940-1970)
Remembered as an extension of the golden era, this period was arguably the most difficult one in railroad history. The route redundancy from the previous century coupled with lingering effects of the Great Depression forced many carriers into bankruptcy by the end of the 1930s. The traffic surge incident to World War II offered a …
The Golden Era (1910-1940)
In the early 20th Century, US railroads reached their peak of 254,000 route miles. The railroads were the dominant providers of transportation, serving both small industries and large populations in every town and city across the country. This was the era of the great long distance luxury trains, marketed as the most civilized way to …
The Pioneer Era (1860-1910)
The Pioneer Era was one of the most exciting periods in railroading history; beginning with the Civil War, transcending the era of the Wild West, and ending in the early 20th century. This was the era when railroading established its supremacy and surpassed waterways, canals and turnpikes dotted with horse-drawn wagons as the undisputed leader …
Trains – Our Heritage, Our Passion
In 1913 when our founder Benjamin Morris Klein founded our Company on the east side of Baltimore’s commercial district, selling basic hardware items was his primary goal. It was only logical that his product mix promptly changed due to the dominance of railroading in the fabric of Baltimore’s civic and economic culture. The founding of …
Early Railroading (1827-1860)
In 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio became the first common carrier rail company to operate in the United States. Barley fifty years had passed since the Declaration of Independence was signed, and America was still very much in it’s infancy. Early operations depended on horse-drawn carts for startup operations. Those pioneer railroads had to invent …
The New American Limited GATC Welded Tank Car
The History of the GATC Welded Tank Car Until World War Two, tank cars were typically built using the complex and time consuming method of riveting. One of the advancements to come out of the war effort however was new and improved welding technology. This revelation allowed manufacturers such as General American to retool their …
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Adding Sound to Your Model Railroad: Sound Systems and DCC
If you’re looking to take your model train layout to the next level, adding sound effects is a great way to transform your railroad and bring an added level of realism to your scene! From in-cab locomotive sounds to ambient effects and immersive surround sound setups, there’s no shortage of possibilities for adding sound to …
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120th Anniversary of the Pacific Locomotive
ModelTrainStuff is celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Pacific-type locomotive, wheel arrangement 4-6-2! The Pacific dominated high speed passenger service and express freight service in the United States from 1902 through 1950 until steam locomotives surrendered to Diesel-Electric locomotives. The Missouri Pacific was the first US buyer in 1902 and accordingly the 4-6-2 was christened …
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Up and Over: How to Build a Bridge for Your Model Train Layout
A significant moment in your railroading journey is when you start thinking about your model train layout as more than just pieces of track on a level surface. We previously covered how to build realistic hills and mountains for your layout. And while that allows for elements like tunnels, it also creates space for you …
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