The Winning Loser – Pennsylvania Railroad Class S-2

Pennsylvania Railroad Class S-2 It was positioned to forecast modern railroad motive power and to remind the world that the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) had not lost its way. It also gave steam locomotive builders and coal mining interests promise that their respective markets would not be decimated by the new Diesel-Electric locomotives that showed early …

7 Model Train Sets to Kick Start Your Railroading Journey

Are you looking to start model railroading in 2023? Whether you’re picking up a new hobby for the new year, have been considering model railroading for years, or felt severe FOMO after seeing a loved one get a train set during the holidays, Model Train Stuff has you covered. Whether you’re reading this in January …

The Importance of Electric Power

Industry experts acclaim that the mammoth electrification of the Pennsylvania Railroad was one of the last great adventures of traditional railroading with good reason. Immediately after this project was completed in 1938 (but hopes lingered about future expansion until 1960), the railroad industry struggled under the pressure of World War II traffic (noted by accountants …

Five Essential Elements for Modeling the Age of Steam

There’s little doubt that steam locomotives have a certain romanticism to them. More than half a century beyond their final days in revenue service, they still remain integral to railroad imagery in popular culture today. If you’ve experienced steam locomotive trains in action, whether at a train museum or in service, you’ll understand why. From …

The History of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway

With less than 1000 route miles to its name, the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railroad was very much an underdog of mainline railroads. It was however a critical link for rail operations in the Pacific Northwest. Never intended for a prolonged existence, the railroad was jointly operated by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific for …

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 …