Category Description: Articles about how trains are composed.
8 Pike-size Passenger Trains
Model Railroader 2006-03 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
This article covers prototype trains that were not too long, and can be modeled with available HO and N-scale equipment. It covers the Denver & Rio Grande Western trains 1 and 2, Louisville & Nashville trains 1 and 4, Soo Lines trains 62 and 63, Milwaukee Road trains 117 and 118, Chesapeake & Ohio Pere Marquette trains 11 and 15, Baltimore & Ohio trains 251 and 252, Union Pacific trains 115 and 116, and Chicago Great Western trains 24-25 and 12-23.
A First Look at Kato's Super Chief
N Scale Railroading 2006-03/04 pg. 32 Scale: N Author: Verne Niner
A couple of photos of the 12-car 1951 Santa Fe train.
Circus Trains
N-Scale 2000-09/10 pg. 28 Scale: N Author: Robert Lah
Modeling a circus train in N-scale. Includes prototype information, model photos, and a drawing of an elephant car.
Coal Train Power
N-Scale 2000-07/08 pg. 68 Scale: N Author: Robert D. Turner
Modeling modern Canadian Pacific coal trains.
Detail a Classic Passenger Train El Captain
Model Railroader 2006-07 pg. 50 Scale: N Author: Buzz Lenander
This article describes how to build the famous El Captain train in N-scale. There are many detail, close-up photos of the changes made to the cars and locomotives, including diaphragms, fiber-optic lenses, and battery installation.
How To Build a Freight Train
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Carl Swanson
Rules on assembling and running freight trains, including prototype and modeling rules for operations.
How to Model a Passenger Train Part I
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 72 Scale: (none) Author: Bob Chapman
In this first part of the three-part series the author will cover determining a prototype's consist of a passenger train, which includes doing research and then comparing what is available in the modeling world.
Illinois Central Green Diamond
Model Railroader 1990-05 pg. 84 Scale: (none) Author: Paul M. Somers
The Green Diamond was a lightweight articulated train that ran from May 1936 to 1947 between Chicago and St. Louis. Includes prototype photos and scale diagrams of the locomotive and cars.
John Finnin's American Freedom Train
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-04 pg. 40 Scale: HO Author: John Finnin
Modeling the train as it was in between 1976 and 1978, the author's train has been on a small tour of its own. This article describes the history of the prototype train, as well as the model train, which is now in its second incarnation.
Modeling Amtrak in the West: An F40PH and Superliner Train
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-03 pg. 52 Scale: HO Author: Robert Smaus
Using the shell of a Life-Like F40PH, the chassis by Proto Power West, and the cars by Con-Cor, this modern train can be modeled in HO. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.
Pike-size Steam Passenger Trains
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 77 Scale: (none) Author: Andy Sperandeo
This article describes five prototype trains and how they can be modeled in HO. It covers the Baltimore & Ohio Ambassador (1953), the Louisville & Nashville Lebanon Branch local (1947), the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Ocean City shuttle (1954), the Southern Pacific Shasta (1949), and the Texas & Pacific Southerner (1947).
Puget Sound Tie Replacement Train
N-Scale 2003-03/04 pg. 61 Scale: N Author: Dean Daughenbaugh
Creating a collection of cars needed for tie replacement, including a GHQ Backhoe.
Riding the "Cookie Box" Extra
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-04 pg. 73 Scale: Sn3 Author: David Steer
The story and model are based on the adventures of two railfans to the RGS in 1950.
The Interstate Express
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-08 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Author: William T. Greenberg, Jr.
Prototype photos (old and relatively new) of this train.
Train Signals Part 1
The Keystone Modeler 04 November 2003 pg. 0 Scale: (none) Author: Al Buchan and Lin Bongaardt, Jr.
This article covers steam locomotives headlights, markers, and class lights.