Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Carl Swanson

A Simple Transition-era Servicing Facility

A single prototype photo shows lots of details that can be modeled in a re-fueling station near a passenger station in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1953.

Andrews and Bettendorf Trucks

In this Q&A section, the author explains the difference between an Andrews and a Bettendorf freight car truck. It also covers the Vulcan truck, which was a third competitor. Also covered are the PRR's "Type Y" truck, which is a Bettendorf variant that later became the AAR standard truck.

Big Tools for Big Jobs

Large lifting and wrecking cranes are needed to deal with problems on the railroad, and with railroad construction. This article describes the various hooks used. Includes one prototype photo.

Civil Engineering 101: Mountain Climbing

How grades are calculated, keyword definitions.

How To Build a Freight Train

Rules on assembling and running freight trains, including prototype and modeling rules for operations.

Making Room for Trains

A clear diagram accompanies this article that describes the clearances that must be maintained by any structure around track, including roofs and space for trainmen to walk next to the rail.

Rod Stewart's Three Rivers City

When I first saw Rod' layout in this issue, I was very impressed because it looks like something George Selios would do. It turns out he is one of Rod's idols. The article includes a track plan of this huge layout, and describes how Rod finds time to model, and how he is building his layout. Includes a side-bar on using LED lamps.

Tank Car Types and Uses

A brief article on how tank cars developed over the decades, and how they were used.

The Yard is a Railroad Sorting Machine

Two of John Armstrong's model railroad yard designs are shown, while the author discusses the various functions that take place in a yard.