Freight Car Friday - TTZX 35442

Centerbeam flatcars have been a common sight on the rails for about thirty years. Used mainly for lumber, plywood, wallboard and similar building products, these cars feature a pair of bulkheads on the ends and a tall open wall down the center to help secure the loads. Often the loads are wrapped in plastic, givng these cars a completely different look. One challenge with this design is that the car must be loaded and unloaded from both sides. This process must be done carefully or the car will tip over.

TTZX 35442
?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Trailer Train, now TTX Corporation is one of the largest freight car leasing companies in North America. Known for its intermodal flatcars and equipment, TTX also leases general freight cars including centerbeam, bulkhead and other flatcars. This car was passing through Cleveland, Ohio on Norfolk Southern. Its next load could take it anywhere in the country.

The closest model for this particular prototype was recently introduced in HO scale from Atlas. Walthers and Micro-Trains have made similar models in HO and N scales. For more images of centerbeams loaded and empty, see the Open Loads gallery.

For a larger image of this and other freight cars, see the Freight Car Friday Image Gallery.

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Model Railroading Month

November is Model Railroding Month. All around the world, you'll find more ways to enjoy the hobby, from open houses and clubs and homes to public displays in malls and museums. Of course the hobby begins at home for most of us, and there is no time like the present to get something done on your home layout.

Look for fun tips all month long on this site, and stay tuned for the start of a new special project to come!

Happy Modeling!

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Freight Car Friday - LT 8289

Gondolas are the among the most versatile cars on the rails, carying everything from dirt to steel. For modelers, they provide an excelent opportunity to model interesting open loads

LT 8289
?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This car belongs to the Lake Terminal Railroad, but was once owned by the Elgin Joliet and Eastern, one of Chicago's belt lines with a heavy concentration with the steel industry. Built in July of 1969, it has held up well for both owners in this demanding service as it nears its fortieth birthday.

While the car is about as non-descript as they come, the load adds a lot of interest. Modeling a pipe load like this would not be difficult. Some plastic tubing or even drinking straws will simulate the pipe. The most important part is adding the wood bracing and cable ties that secure the load in transit.

For a larger image of this and other freight cars, see the Freight Car Friday Image Gallery.

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Model Trains Information

The popularity of model trains is something which has never faded; this hobby has a seemingly eternal appeal to people of all ages. Certainly, collecting and running a model railroad offers many opportunities to use your creativity. Hobbyists often enjoy building the scenery for their model trains to travel through just as much as they enjoy the trains themselves.

If you’re new to this hobby, one of the first things you’ll need to learn are the concepts of scales and gauges. Don’t panic; it’s actually pretty simple. Scale denotes the ratio of the size of a model train in relation to the full size train it represents. The most common model train scales are G, HO, O and N scales. G scale trains are in a 1:22 ration, HO (meaning half O) scale trains are 1:87, O scale trains are 1:48 and N scale trains are 1:160, about half the size of HO scale trains.

Some less commonly seen scales are TT, Z and S scale model trains, with ratios of 1:120, 1:220 and 1:64, respectively. Each scale has its own pros and cons and is better suited to particular uses; and each has its own dedicated following, even the more obscure scales.

Gauge is the other important concept in the hobby of collecting model trains. When you hear a hobbyist talk about gauge, they mean the size of the track, specifically the distance between the rails. Since model trains and tracks are produced by many different companies, industry standard sizes were developed in order to make trains and tracks compatible with each other. Standard and narrow gauge track are the sizes you’ll see the most often.

Scenery is one of the most important things to model train enthusiasts. Hobbyists spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into creating landscapes for their trains to travel through. You can make your layouts in any way that suits you. As long as you can lay your tracks on it, the only limit to what you can do with your layout is your creativity.

You may see model train layouts with features including hills and mountains, forests, farms, towns and even water features such as waterfalls and rivers. Some hobbyists get very creative with their layouts, even putting together entire miniature cities for their model trains to navigate through.

You can lay your track in your landscape any way you like. You’ll probably want to make your track a loop so that your trains will run continuously around your landscapes, but other than that, it’s up to you. You could use an oval, a layout with several loops or any shape you like. You should avoid making sharp turns though; just like a real train, model trains are not designed for sharp turns and can derail.

Building layouts for your model trains and collecting these models is a fascinating hobby which provides entertainment and a great creative outlet for people of all ages. It’s a hobby which is great for the entire family to do together and offers a wonderful opportunity for parents or grandparents and children to bond.

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HO Model Train Layout

If you are looking for HO model train layout designs, there is an abundance of resources and information. You can find many different examples in photos and video online, and there are many different books with not only layout designs, but also complete instructions, parts lists, and other tips to help you build the perfect track layout. These books can be a wealth of knowledge, not only for the beginner, but even more experienced hobbyists, who want to add to their own skills.

If you are new to HO model train layout designs, there are some things to take into consideration. One of them is the size of the layout. Even simple designs can take up a decent amount of space, and you should think about where you are going to put your model train. You can pick from two different kinds of bases, one that is permanent or portable workbenches.

Portable ones are a good way to be able to move your layout around, especially if you need to move it somewhere out of the way. Many train road professionals use these to move their layouts when they want to display them for the public. You see them around the holidays, at community centers, and other places like your local library.

If you are going to set up a more permanent HO model train layout, then you can find many helpful tips. You want to think about the kind of layout you want to do, and then plan accordingly. One of the things you want to consider is weight of the layout, and so you will want to make you work base out of two by fours, and the top should be at least ½” thick plywood, so it is thick enough for putting in screws. You will also want to have some kind of storage area underneath, to put extra parts and accessories, as well as being able to hide all of the wiring.

Make sure that any HO model train layout that you choose comes complete with a list of all the materials you will need, like how many tracks, switches, and turnouts. If you are going with you own ideas about scenery, you should sit down and figure out what you will need, and look online to get an idea of what is available. You should stick with the same scale for all of you models and scenery, that way you don’t come out with inconsistent layout designs. You can find everything you need at the same website or dealer as you buy your tracks.

When you get you supplies, you may want to just jump in and start putting things together. Even if you have planned your HO model train layout, don’t just start putting things together. You need to start with the track layout first. This is especially important if you are using a portable base, because you will want to place the track ends where the base separates. Even if you are using a permanent base, you should put the track down first. Make sure that you run your engine around before permanently attaching it, to make sure that everything is running smoothly.

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O Gauge Trains

One of the most popular styles of model trains is the O gauge trains. These trains are larger than some of the other products available, but are sometimes the best. One of the reasons this scale is great is that it is easy to handle by beginners. Small children, as well as older adults who may have limited mobility in their hands, or poor eyesight will also find this size is much better to deal with.

O gauge trains have been around for a long time and started around 1900 by Marklin, a German toy manufacturer. These early models were just toys, and not purchased by real hobbyists until much later. O scale trains originally started out with three rails for extra support of this large size. Now just like other scales of model trains, there are different scales depending on where you live which is important to know. In America, O scale is 1:48 the size of a real train, but in England, this is 1:43:5, and in other parts of Europe it is 1:45. So when you are ordering your O scale train, make sure that you are using the right scale for where you live, or your train won’t run.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3491221/

Being larger than other scales,  they will cost you more than smaller sizes, but these are still quite reasonable. The most expensive part of buying this scale is the price of the scenery and buildings. However, just like with other model trains, you don’t necessarily have to buy a whole bunch of things just to start your layout. You can start small with basic sets and build from there.

One of the more popular O gauge trains you can start out with is the Lionel 0-Gauge B&O Ready-To-Run Train set. This set is heirloom quality and comes with a die cast metal 4-4-0 steam locomotive, that has realistic looking puffing smoke, as well as a working headlamp. It also includes the tinder car, Lionel Lines boxcar, and gondola car with cable reels, and of course a classical red caboose. As an added bonus, you also get an additional ‘Sentinel’ boxcar as well. You also get a small extension bridge, ten telephone poles, as well as enough FasTrack to put together a 40?x60? oval. You get the PowerMax transformer, which controls movement in both forward and reverse. All of these can fit into a reusable box that it comes in and lists for just under $200.

If you are interested in becoming a model train hobbyist and want to start out with the O scale, there are many different websites where you can find an abundance of sets, individual cars and tracks, as well as a large assortment of scenery and buildings. It may be a good idea to check with your local hobby shops first, in order to see a variety of different offerings all in one location.

This is also a good way for beginners to be able to have any questions about trains answered right away. There are many really good books that have many layout plans, including all the materials you will need to make your hobby the best it can be. They will also have other tips and information any train lover will enjoy.

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O Gauge Trains

One of the most popular styles of model trains is the O gauge trains. These trains are larger than some of the other products available, but are sometimes the best. One of the reasons this scale is great is that it is easy to handle by beginners. Small children, as well as older adults who may have limited mobility in their hands, or poor eyesight will also find this size is much better to deal with.

O gauge trains have been around for a long time and started around 1900 by Marklin, a German toy manufacturer. These early models were just toys, and not purchased by real hobbyists until much later. O scale trains originally started out with three rails for extra support of this large size. Now just like other scales of model trains, there are different scales depending on where you live which is important to know. In America, O scale is 1:48 the size of a real train, but in England, this is 1:43:5, and in other parts of Europe it is 1:45. So when you are ordering your O scale train, make sure that you are using the right scale for where you live, or your train won’t run.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3491221/

Being larger than other scales,  they will cost you more than smaller sizes, but these are still quite reasonable. The most expensive part of buying this scale is the price of the scenery and buildings. However, just like with other model trains, you don’t necessarily have to buy a whole bunch of things just to start your layout. You can start small with basic sets and build from there.

One of the more popular O gauge trains you can start out with is the Lionel 0-Gauge B&O Ready-To-Run Train set. This set is heirloom quality and comes with a die cast metal 4-4-0 steam locomotive, that has realistic looking puffing smoke, as well as a working headlamp. It also includes the tinder car, Lionel Lines boxcar, and gondola car with cable reels, and of course a classical red caboose. As an added bonus, you also get an additional ‘Sentinel’ boxcar as well. You also get a small extension bridge, ten telephone poles, as well as enough FasTrack to put together a 40?x60? oval. You get the PowerMax transformer, which controls movement in both forward and reverse. All of these can fit into a reusable box that it comes in and lists for just under $200.

If you are interested in becoming a model train hobbyist and want to start out with the O scale, there are many different websites where you can find an abundance of sets, individual cars and tracks, as well as a large assortment of scenery and buildings. It may be a good idea to check with your local hobby shops first, in order to see a variety of different offerings all in one location.

This is also a good way for beginners to be able to have any questions about trains answered right away. There are many really good books that have many layout plans, including all the materials you will need to make your hobby the best it can be. They will also have other tips and information any train lover will enjoy.

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Electric Toy Train

The electric toy train has been around for more than a hundred years, and has become a huge part of Americana. The train itself, starting out with the first commonly used steam locomotive, shaped this country in many ways, making it easier to transport goods, services and people across the country. While first developed in England, the train became a part of America’s history, and has remained a vital part of the well being of our country.

It didn’t start out this way, the first ones were hand crafted from wood, had wheels and were pulled by strings across the floor. Then came wet battery electric models, and although these batteries were messy and dangerous, it did nothing to deter people from owning them. Then when electricity was invented, they became the start of what they are today.

There have been many different manufacturers of toy electric trains, starting out in Germany. Some of these came and went fast, but others have remained, even through very troubled times, like the Depression, and many recent recessions. Even in these troubled times, toy trains brought a spark of hope, joy, as well as a reminder that our Country always turns tragedies into triumphs. Now days, there are many people who find the model train hobby a great way to pass the time, and relieve the stresses of every day life.

Today, the electric toy train has become big business. You can find an abundance of different scales, as well as enough accessories to make some of the most elaborate train layouts imaginable. Even if you don’t do this hobby yourself, who doesn’t marvel at these layouts when set up at museums and train shows? Many have taken their love of toy trains to the masses, with portable workbenches that can be taken out of the home and set up for the public to see.

While there have been many companies, Lionel, and Bachmann are now the two largest manufacturers of electric toy trains. Both of these companies, while not in direct competition, have tried to surpass each other in quality and detail. Both companies have an abundant assortment of engines, cars, tracks and accessories available in many different scales. From the largest G scale, which you will find in many outdoor settings, to the smallest Z scale, which a whole layout can fit on a child’s desk, there are many to choose from.

Some of these electric toy trains are not cheap. The higher the detail, the higher quality of materials, the more you are going to have to invest. This holds true for accessories as well. However you don’t have to spend hundreds or even thousand of dollars on trains at once, there are many different sets that are ready-to-run that cost $100 or less at many different retailers. If you are interested in owning one of these beginner sets, there are many available online, or in local retail stores and hobby shops. It is perhaps the best idea to go into one of these local hobby shops first, so you can see a wide selection of products all in one location, and first hand.

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Model Train Shows

What Are Model Train Shows?

Model train shows are events where model train hobbyists and those who love model trains can go to set up their layouts for all to see. But it isn’t just about showing off your ideas of what the ideal layout should be, there are many other things as well. There are contests, auctions and collectors selling and trading engines, train cars and scenery. There are also many workshops available at some of the larger train shows, where experienced engineers and hobbyists teach secrets and tools of the trade to a newer or younger generation of people who want to join the ranks of model train hobbyists.

People young and old gather at these shows to marvel at all the various layouts, trains and the amazing realism of some of these layouts and engines. There are many layouts that are so large that special tours are conducted to explain certain features and the construction methods that are used to make them. Some of the more hardcore train enthusiasts even plan their year around going to and setting up at these shows, which tells you how dedicated they are to the art and hobby of model train building.

Model train shows are available all the time. In fact they even have their own organization, called The National Model Railroad Association. The NMRA holds national conventions at different cities every year and these are wee long events. Their annual convention attracts people from all over the country and even around the world, model railroad engineers and the public alike. There are many hobby retailers, train special interest groups and train manufacturers here as well, selling and buying everything related to model railroading.

Although this convention is probably the largest, it certainly isn’t the only one. There is some kind of train show going on every month somewhere around the world. There are many different websites with full listings of all the model train shows held worldwide. One look online and you will find many places where these train shows are being held.

There is one time of the year when you may be able to see model train shows in your area – around Christmas time. Around this time many different local train enthusiasts set their layouts up in local community centers, auditoriums and schools and charge a small fee for the public to come in and look at the many different layouts on display. There may even be collectors and vendors here so you can buy model trains and start a collection of your own.

If you want to find model train shows in your area, there are a few ways. One, as mentioned above, is to look on websites like Littletoytrains or Railserve. You can also contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out where a train show might be going to set up near you. Many of these are very cheap to enter, some just ask for a donation, but most cost ten dollars or less.

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O Model Railroad

If you want a good beginning model train, the O model railroad is probably the one you should start with. It is a larger scale, 1:48, and is ideal for people who have arthritis, or poor eyesight, and it well suited for children. One of the things you will want to consider when choosing this scale is that it will take up more space and so you will need enough room, no matter where you are planning to set it up. Many may remember toy trains chugging around a track under the Christmas tree, and many of them were the O model.

The O model railroad is very highly detailed, and the engines and cars are really durable. You can find just as many parts and accessories for this scale as you would with the other popular HO scale, and you can even create your own scenery if you plan it right. For example, you can use recycled cans to create water towers, and use cardboard boxes for buildings. Even some small toys around the house can be incorporated into many layouts, and if you have kids, this is a great way for them to be able to contribute to the hobby.

There are different kinds of O model railroad trains available, depending on how in depth you want to go. You can find engines and cars that you have to assemble yourself. With basic skills and tools, and the ability to follow instructions, you can create wonderful trains. There are also ready to run models, which all you have to do is set up the track, plug in the transformer and you are ready to go.

If you are just beginning, or have the family involved, this may be where to start. If you still want to feel that you have made something yourself, there are many accessory kits that have buildings that are prefabricated, and all you have to do is put them together. Many of these will include E-Z track, which has the track and base as one easy to snap together piece and the base is usually very realistic, which adds to the look of the layout.

There are many different places that you can find good basic O model railroad sets. You can look in your local hobby stores; there are some good basic sets at many mass-marketing retailers, as well as an abundance online. As with any hobby, you are looking at some investment, but it is well worth it.

For example, the Lionel O-Gauge B&O Ready To Run train set is an Heirloom quality set that comes with a 4-4-2 die cast metal locomotive, with realistic looking puffing smoke, and a real working headlight. It also includes one boxcar, a gondola car, and a red caboose, as well as enough track for a 40?x60? oval track. You also get a Sentinel boxcar, a bridge, and ten telephone poles. You can purchase this set for just under $200, at many outlets.

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O Model Railroad Video

This is video of David’s(slug96) train and other members’ O gauge trains at the AGHR Model Railroad Club.

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Bachmann model trains video

Amazing Video of an elevated bachmann model train set !

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Model Railroad Track Plans

There are many different kinds of model railroad track plans, from simple additions to basic oval and circular layouts, to the most elaborate plans imaginable. If you are just beginning to explore your model train, start small and simple. You should go with E-Z track, which comes with the rails and base in one unit and have easy to snap together ends. They also come with holes already drilled in places, so you can permanently attach them to your workbench.

There are also Flex track available , which are even more convenient than the E-Z track, and these have snap together ends. What makes these better than E-Z track is that it is completely flexible. Regular track has preset curves, and is harder to work with when you have more complicated layouts. With Flex tracks, you can make the curve and turns as loose or tight as you want it, as long as the turn isn’t so tight that the train falls over.

You can also build your own tracks for model railroad track plans, but there are many dangers involved with doing this. One of them is safety issues, you have to make sure that you ground the rails properly, or you could get a nasty electrical shock. Only experts do this, ones who are in model train clubs, and even then, it is usually done with a group of people. The at home train hobbyist should stick to prefabricated tracks.

You can find many different model railroad track plans, and a really good place to start is online. There are many websites with much to offer, and you can find an abundance of photos and videos of many track plans that people have already completed. For example, if you are looking for a track layout for your outdoor set up, there are some really good ones to be found. There are layouts for mountain layouts, and even ones that you can make that have famous landmarks, like Mount Rushmore, or the Eiffel Tower. If you are planning an outdoor design, and are starting from scratch, do the track design first, and then put in your plants and structures around it.

Indoor model railroad track plans are just as abundant, and you have many different resources. There are many different books on the subject, and they have many useful tips and advice to help you get the most out of you layout experience. If you are interested in any of these books, make sure that they include a complete list of all the parts you are going to need for each layout design. That way you are sure you get all the right materials at one time. It will be extremely frustrating to discover that you don’t have enough track, or the right scenery or buildings to put your layout together.

A good place to start looking for model railroad track plans would be at your local hobby store. They will have a wide assortment of books, tracks and accessories in one convenient location, and may even have some examples of track layouts on display. If you have any questions, or need some tips, the sales people will have no problems answering all of them.

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Happy Halloween

?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Have a safe and happy (maybe even steamy) Halloween.

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Inspirational Images - Superior Interior

A good model doesn't have to stop on the outside. From buildings to rollingstock, adding an interior to a model can take it to a whole new level. There are commercial products available in every scale to help add interior details, but usually models must be customized.

?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The details in this station scene exemplify that fact. Details from Woodland Scenics, Walthers, Model Power and others have been mixed with scratchbuilt and kit-bashed parts to create a nicely detailed station concourse. LED lighting completes the scene. (Note that even the passenger cars waiting below feature interior details!)

In this case, the details are essential in helping to tell the story of railroad stations and all the activity contained within. This scene is just one part of an exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, PA. Assembled by volunteers, Ed Betz, Tom Schoelkopf, John Werner, Keith Starner and Joe Anthony this and other detailed interiors are always a big hit with visitors.

Inspirational Images is a weekly blog feature. All of the images posted here are also archived in the Inspirational Images Gallery. If you have a photo with a story to tell, please consider submitting it for us all to enjoy!

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Freight Car Friday - TCSZ 464437

Perhaps this is stretching the term "freight car" for some, but a Roadrailer does haul freight on the rails. The concept of an intermodal vehicle that could go directly from roads to rails has been around for nearly fifty years in one form or another. While many companies have experimented with the technology over the decades, the one that has made it work the most effectively and lastingly is Triple Crown Corporation, a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern.

"TCSZ Roadrailer 464437
>?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The Roadrailers in service today are built by Wabash National, best known for their truck trailers. Essentially trailers with an added hydraulic system to raise the chassis, an air line for train brakes and an extra coupling at front and rear; Roadrailers share more in common with trucks than trains. They are easy to transfer from road to rail and back, with no cranes or elaborate facilities necessary. Once coupled, there is virtually no slack in between units, unlike conventional railroad couplers. A 150 car Roadrailer train has just 6 inches of coupler slack...compared to nearly 40 feet for a comparable number of freight cars! This, combined with the uniform light weight of each unit, makes Roadrailers some of the smoothest rides on the rails.

Roadrailers are available in many scales. DeLuxe Innovations makes them in N scale, and Bowser has several versions in HO and O. Like the prototype, a train of Roadrailers can be a very smooth runner, with half the axles and a fraction of the coupler slack of a conventional train.

For a larger image of this and other freight cars, see the Freight Car Friday Image Gallery.

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Inspirational Images - Spooky Steel

This time of year always brings spooky images of fog, fire, mystery and majic. Trains may not be near the top of the list when you think of Halloween, but if any part of the industry embodies that sometimes fearful imagery it's railroading around? steel mill. Shadows and silhouettes, fire, steam and smoke, massive machinery all come together day or night in an awesome display.

?2010 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Just like Halloween, things aren't always as they appear. The train, the man in the silver heat suit and the tools are all real. The heat and steam...just lights, some red plastic wrap and a few fog machines. This staged scene captures the spirit of the industry, the season, and the hobby.

Thanks to Brian Alesin and Phillip Banks for the lighting, and Mike Pearsa of the National Museum of Industrial History for braving the suit.

Inspirational Images is a weekly blog feature. All of the images posted here are also archived in the Inspirational Images Gallery. If you have a photo with a story to tell, please consider submitting it for us all to enjoy!

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