Building an authentic N scale BNSF freight train requires the right rolling stock. After spending three months testing 15 different freight cars on our test layout, I’m ready to share what actually performs well versus what just looks good in the box. The BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight networks in North America, … Read more
Building a modern era model railroad featuring CSX Transportation opens up exciting possibilities for realistic operations. Since the 1986 merger that created the modern CSX, the railroad has operated some of the most distinctive and powerful diesel locomotives in North America. HO scale CSX locomotives capture this modern era beautifully, offering modelers the chance to … Read more
Norfolk Southern’s Heritage Unit program represents one of the most celebrated tributes in railroad history, featuring locomotives painted in schemes honoring predecessor railroads like Conrail, Penn Central, Southern Railway, and others. For HO scale modelers, these distinctive locomotives offer a unique way to celebrate railroad history while adding variety to modern operations. Having spent 15 … Read more
The Santa Fe Warbonnet paint scheme stands as one of the most iconic and recognizable liveries in American railroad history. Introduced in the 1930s, this distinctive red and silver design with the yellow “war bonnet” nose has captivated model railroaders for generations. When I started building my HO scale Santa Fe layout 15 years ago, … Read more
The Southern Pacific Daylight stands as one of the most iconic streamlined passenger trains in American railroad history. Operating from 1937 through the 1950s, these distinctive trains featured the signature orange, red, silver, and black paint scheme that still captivates model railroaders today. The GS-class steam locomotives, particularly the GS-4 4-8-4 Northern types, represent the … Read more
The Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 stands as one of the most iconic American locomotive designs ever created. With its striking art deco shell designed by Raymond Loewy and capable of pulling trains at speeds up to 100 mph, the GG1 served the Pennsylvania Railroad for nearly 50 years from 1935 to 1983. Model train enthusiasts have … Read more
The New York Central Hudson stands as one of the most iconic steam locomotives in American railroad history. When industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss streamlined the J-3a Hudson in 1938, he created an Art Deco masterpiece that revolutionized locomotive aesthetics. These 4-6-4 locomotives powered flagship trains like the 20th Century Limited and Empire State Express, reaching … Read more
The Milwaukee Road Hiawatha stands as one of America’s most iconic streamlined passenger trains, serving the Chicago-Twin Cities and Pacific Northwest routes from 1935 to 1971. With its distinctive orange and maroon livery, the Hiawatha captured the imagination of railfans and modelers alike. Finding quality Milwaukee Road Hiawatha models can be challenging given limited production … Read more
The Great Northern Empire Builder stands as one of America’s most iconic passenger trains, running from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest from 1947 onward. Model railroaders have long been captivated by its distinctive Omaha Orange and Pullman Green paint scheme, later updated to the famous Big Sky Blue livery in 1967. Finding the best Great … Read more
After spending 20 years building HO scale layouts and testing dozens of Amtrak locomotives, I’ve learned that Phase III represents the golden era of American passenger railroading. The iconic silver and red livery defined Amtrak’s identity from the late 1970s through the 1990s, making it one of the most popular paint schemes among model railroaders. … Read more