Bachmann HO "Cargo King" Starter Set

The GP40 is a 4-axle diesel-electric road-switcher locomotive built by General Motors, Electro-Motive Division between November 1965 and December 1971. With a EMD 645E3 16-cylinder engine generating 3,000 hp (2,240 kW).

The GP40 is 3 feet longer than its EMD 567D3A-engined predecessor, the GP35, and distinguished visually by its three 48-inch radiator fans at the rear of the long hood,

while the GP35 has two large fans and a smaller one in between.

It was built on a 55 ft frame; the GP35 was built on a 52 ft frame - as was the GP7, 9, 18, and 30. The difference in length can be seen in the GP40's ten handrail stanchions compared to the GP35's nine.

1,187 GP40s were built for 28 U.S. railroads; 16 Canadian carriers, Canadian National; and 18 were built for two Mexican carriers, Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico and Ferrocarriles Nacional de Mexico.

60 units were built with high-short-hoods and dual control stands for Norfolk & Western Railway. Two passenger versions, the GP40P and GP40TC, were also built, but on longer frames to accommodate steam generators and HEP equipment.

Discontinued January 1, 1972,  replaced by the GP40-2, which has a modular electrical system and a few minor exterior changes.

Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone' Express HO train

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (SOLD)

This is a train I have Listed on E Bay. The train as you can see is in very nice condition. And does work both front and back comes with enough track to make an oval. The video below is the train under operation. The engine does need a set of piston arms to make 100% perfect that can be purchased on the Bachmann web site If you are interested in this for your collection you can find it by clicking the link under the Video to my E bay listing.

Kansas City Southern - EMD E6A Diesel Locomotive

Trains are a fascinating piece of our history. EMD E6A Loco with Pusher. Wikipedia picture The EMD E6 was a 2,000-horsepower passenger train locomotive manufactured by Electro-Motive Corporation, and its corporate successor, General Motors Electro-Motive Division, of La Grange, Illinois. E6A was manufactured from November 1939 to September 1942, and 91 were produced. The booster version, or E6B, was manufactured from April 1940 to February 1942, and 26 were produced. The 2,000-horsepower (1,500 kW) was

A visit with Red Pine Precision Modeling

 My wife and I were looking for a place to store our camper for the winter and came across an ad in Craig's List that fit the bill for what we wanted.

So this visit was purely by divine coincidence.
Once we arrived to saw the storage facility that we would be renting.

As we walked down to the buildings we began talking with Nancy Cox. and really enjoying the conversation talking about their acreage, grandchildren, the weather, and much more.

 Thomas joined us shortly in the storage building and started another round of conversation.
We must have talked for a good 45 min to an hour before walking up to their house to complete the lease for storage. Inside we began talking and chatting

Inexpensive Ways to Make Trees

Inexpensive Ways to Make Trees and Ground Cover For Your Model Railroad Layout

One of the most exciting aspects of model railroading is creating the scenery to enhance the landscape of a layout. The scenery is what adds the personality and interest to a layout to make it truly unique.
There are all sorts of scenery accessories you can purchase from online model train stores, but many things can be made from everyday items around the home. You do not always need to spend money when there are things around you for free.

Twigs from your back yard are a good example. They can be used for making small trees and shrubs, or be cut to resemble logs. There is no need to paint them, because they are already the right color. Small wooden meat skewers (from the supermarket) can also be used to make logs and they are very inexpensive to buy.
The same goes for adding grass to your layout. You can purchase some very good products such as "Static Grass Flock" to provide ground cover, or you can make your own. Some model railroaders use a mix of ready-to-use grasses from the hobby store, and combine this, with there own home made grass recipe.

Model Railroad Scenery-How to Add Excitement

Model Railroad Scenery How to Add Excitement on Your Model Train Layout

Creating realistic scenery is the part that pulls your model railroad layout together and brings it to

life. Little details can make a big difference, as many spectators will spend a lot of time watching the trains operate, so they will get to notice the little things that add to the overall effect. Your visitors will see the vegetation that grows alongside the track and notice the signs on the buildings and the weathering techniques used on the trains.

Tunnels and a bridge will add interest to a model train layout. You will need a rail station too. Put operating signals at crossings. Use either a set of crossing flashers or a flasher and drop-arm combo. Kids (and adults too) are mesmerized by the 'lights and action' items.
Other ideas like a working grain elevator, water tower, coal loaders, or a control towers help complete a scene. 

Be creative, but specific, when making scenery for your model railroad layout.
Make sure any vehicles and rail crossings are from the right era. One idea is black washing the grilles and hubcaps to add depth and realism to the scene. Using a small brush you can also paint taillights, parking lights and door handles if needed. Then consider taking the cars apart and install drivers and passengers. Nothing looks more unreal on a layout than vehicles seemingly driven by invisible ghosts!

Click here for lots more clever model train layout ideas 
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A Key To Keeping Trains In Mint Condition

A Key To Keeping Trains In Mint Condition Protected From Dirt, Dust And Grime

Model railway locomotives and rolling stock all need to be kept clean and well-maintained, as does the track-work and layout in general. It can be a constant job to keep things operating efficiently and protecting trains and structures from dirt, grime and dust build up. Some veterans in the hobby give the scenery and track a light spray with distilled water as one method of maintaining it in good condition. There are various other tasks including track cleaning and locomotive lubrication that need to be done periodically. When the tracks are dirty the trains will pick up the dirt and dust and this can potentially cause big problems. Leaving locomotives sitting on track for days, weeks, or months on end can also be problematic.

One of the most important accessories in the model train hobby has to be model train storage boxes. These boxes are a must in order to keep your train in mint condition.

Click here for lots more clever model train layout ideas
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There are various options, the first being to make your own storage system. It depends how fussy you want to be whether you make them out of wood, cardboard, or buy ready-made plastic containers. The important thing is to protect your trains from damage and dust.

The Adaptability of Digital

The Adaptability of Digital Command Control (DCC) In Model Railroading

A simple DC (Direct Current) transformer will give you a nice chugging locomotive going one way on your model train track, however, with a DCC (Digital Command Control) unit you can have the flexibility of having an entire train-switching yard happening right in front of your eyes! 

That is the adaptability that is available with this coming-of-age technology in the model railroad hobby!

Assuming you have already done all that you can with your standard controller that you got with your train set, whether that is a Bachmann, Kato, Marklin, Atlas or other brands and you want something new, what now? 

You know about the different types and combinations of wiring that can be used to make all the lights work, all the smoke come from the stacks to mimic the operation of your engines and the different things that can be accomplished with traffic control devices and lights, whistles etc. 

Now it is time to take your layout to the next step. 

Race days

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Do you remember those race days with your Eldon race set or maybe you had the Aurora Ho scale. I had them both my brother, myself and Dad would spend hours racing each other and make up tournaments. Its was just a great time and one that is such a found memory now that my Dad is gone.

I still have my Ho aurora set and a few more such as Tyco and the newer AFX by aurora. I still from time to time get them out and set them up for my grand kids. How about you?

I Stumbled across a you-tube video with Jay Leno from the tonight show, He was with the founder of slot mod.com they create Atlantic 1/32 scale racing plate forms and was doing one for his Garage. They are a have to have one racing platform. Check out the Video it's fun and amazing what SlotMod does. 

 

Slot Mod.com With J Leno

As Kids in Waterloo Iowa we were at the hobby shop every weekend racing our slot cars it was fun and competitive. I would love to see this form of entertainment return for the young people of to day. It was a fun way to socialize and at the same time use your skills and thinking cap to make your slot car run better and look the coolest. 

Building Your Model Railroad Layout

Deciding a Track Plan Before Building Your Model Railroad Layout

When planning construction of a model railroad there are all sorts of possible track configurations and plans to consider. It really depends on the space you have at your disposal and what type of train operation you would most enjoy.

Real railroads (prototype) run from one destination to another rather than go around in a circle. In reality, real railroads usually have hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of track to work with. Even in a scaled down form, most model railroads lack the space to fully replicate this, so a degree of adaptation and compromise is usually required.

Full size trains often run for long stretches over monotonous landscape, which if reconstructed on a model layout, would be rather boring. To give you an example, the Ghan Train in Australia, runs 1,880 miles across mostly barren desert. Imagine replicating that on a scaled down model railroad - it would probably stretch from one end of town to the other!

The main line begins at one point, and travels to another point, and stops, hence the term - a point to point railroad.

Hobby Ideas

 Hobby Ideas You Will Like

What is your favorite past time?  Hobby enthusiasts know that spare time is not to be "spent" but savored.  If you have a past time you enjoy, you will never look at your spare time in the same way again.  If you're not sure what past time hobby you would enjoy, here are some suggestions.

Many people listen to music as a favorite past time.  There is much you can learn about any style of music.  You can learn composers, famous melodies, and all about performers past and present.  You can develop sophisticated tastes in jazz or classical music or collect a large assortment of CD's.  Music makes a great past time hobby.

EMD Desel gp50

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An EMD GP50 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). It is powered by a 16-cylinder EMD 645F3B diesel engine, which can produce between 3,500 and 3,600 hp (2,610 and 2,685 kW). 278 examples of this locomotive were built by EMD between 1980 and 1985. BN 3110-3162 were all delivered with five cab seats, the final five of these having the cab lengthened 23 in (584 mm) vs. the standard EMD cab. The GP50 retains the same overall length of 59 feet 2 inches (18.03 meters) as the EMD GP38, EMD GP38-2, EMD GP39, EMD GP39-2, EMD GP40 and EMD GP40-2.

In 2014–2015 the Norfolk Southern Railway rebuilt 25 GP50s into the low-emission GP33ECO.^[1]

EMD GP50

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EMD GP50 Diesel Locomotive

Norfolk and Western - From Historic Rail & Roads 

Detailed Description

Affiliate Link A replica of a four-axle GP50 diesel locomotive (of which EMD built 278 between 1980 and 1985), this HO scale Bachmann model features a powerful motor and precision gearing for smooth operation, a finely molded body with factory-installed handrails, working headlights, a die cast chassis, all-wheel drive with RP25 metal wheels, magnetically operated knuckle couplers, an authentic Norfolk and Western paint scheme, and more. Measures 8" long and arrives ready to run. Check This out Here at Historicrail.com

2011 Christmas-Hobby Ideas

Here are 3 handy tips kindly supplied by
members of the Online Model Train Club:

1. Toning Down Colors Here's something I've discovered. I no longer use white or black paint on my layout without mixing in other tones. I find pure white and pure black a little stark and unreal as those colors stand out too much! I also stick with matt paints (not gloss) on most things. Gloss might look ok on a shiny new loco, but it looks too unreal on most things. To tone down black or white paint I usually add a small drop of another color such as diluted brown just to take the starkness away. Remember with white to just add a tiny dab of another color, because if you add too much you'll have to add a big quantity of white to overcome the problem. If you add too much brown for example, you might be best to pour it out and start mixing again.

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What scale is right for your home?

When planning to start your family fun with Trains or Slot Cars One of the considerations of course is room and size. Over the years they have started manufacturing many different scales to accommodate just different Sizes and spaces. 

One of the most common in small sizes was the HO and Now The N Gage is the common choice when size matters. But if you live in a very small apartment and still wish to have a wonderful scaled model train the Z scale is what you're looking for.

I believe at the time I started writing this the Z scale Train is the smallest on the market today. Marklin offers a Z scale Marklin Swiss Old-Timer Z scale Train Set This size of the train is great if you want a nice layout the size of a coffee table and what a talking peace this would be. However, it all so comes with a larger price tag put is very unique. N scale is small and space-saving. You can do a layout as small as 24 x 48 and the cost is considerably less as well as more readily available at just about any toy store or hobby shop in your area.

Do you remember your hobby?

Picture From http:// www.trainweb.org

I grew up in the 60,s and having a hobby was the entertainment for many kids. One of the biggest hobbies  that I remember was the slot cars and trains. The first train my brother and I received for Christmas was an American flier. We played with this for hours and hours on end. Next Christmas my brother received a Eldon drag race set this was just way to cool the cars were fast and the track was setup with a working Christmas tree to start the race just like the real thing. We would set this up in the basement and spend most of the day and weekend racing the cars and tweaking them to go faster and do wheels on take off. We would but a little fine oil on the start track and make the wheels burn out. We just had the greatest time. Then a local Hobby shop set up some very large slot car tracks and this began my experience in slot car racing the cost was about 50cent an hour to run your cars and the Hobby shop would run weekend race competitions with great prices. it was fun and entertaining. I would love to see young people get into this hobby again. Its a great pass time.