If you’re a brass train collector, does the Pennsylvania Railroad L1s 2-8-2 locomotive rank as one of your favorites? You’re not alone: Revered among both collectors and railroad enthusiasts alike, this infamous locomotive boasts a significant place in rail history. These 2-8-2 “Mikado”-type steam locomotives were in service on the PRR during the early 1900s […]
Ever heard of Jordan Spreaders? If you’re into model railroading, you probably have. When we recently added some HO scale Walthers Jordan spreaders to our inventory, I decided to research the history of this intriguing railroad equipment to see what I could find out. Simple in design, Jordan spreaders have a unique place in railroad […]
Take a trip down memory lane as we explore the history of the infamous 6-8-6 S2 steam turbine locomotive…and its modern-day HO scale counterparts. Imagine my excitement as I was unpacking a vintage brass locomotive recently when I found an old Baldwin Locomotive brochure promoting their infamous 6-8-6 S2 steam turbine locomotive, built for the […]
Broadway Limited Imports rolled out an HO scale version of the legendary New York Central 4-6-4 Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson! Choose from the BLI 2840 or the BLI 2841. In honor of this exciting release, here are 7 interesting facts about the real-life New York Central 4-6-4 “Hudson” locomotive and its unique history: But first: What […]
Welcome to the Rare Brass Showcase: Spotlight on a favorite from the Nightwatch Trains private HO Scale brass train collection: Westside Model Company Brass HO Scale AT&SF Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 3000 Class Locomotive This striking steam loco is for sale! Click here to see the listing. Crafted by Katsumi Mokeiten Co. in Tokyo, Japan, the […]
Welcome to the RARE BRASS SHOWCASE… Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a favorite from the Nightwatch Trains private HO Scale brass train collection: The Grand Trunk Western Railroad 4-8-4 U-4-b Northern type HO scale brass locomotive This rare gem is for sale! Click here to see the listing. One of just 75 factory painted […]
What you’ll read today: Nothing compares to brass trains Early beginnings: the Postwar Era Why brass for model trains? Common importers of brass trains Well-known manufacturers of brass The future of brass model trains For the collector of brass model trains, nothing quite compares to the instant you lift the cover off the old box […]
What does the famed Nickel Plate Road have to do with the B-17 “Flying Fortress”? More than you might think. Throughout history, nicknames have often caught on, replacing the ‘real’ name with a something a bit catchier and more memorable. From planes to trains, nicknames sometimes find favor with enthusiasts – and oftentimes newspaper reporters […]
Model railroading has long been a cherished hobby for children as well as adults. Its immense popularity is twofold: It lets adults be kids again – and allows kids to dream of being grownup railroaders. From O Gauge to HO Scale: A Brief History The roaring twenties was a dramatic time in history, ushering in […]
Logging has always been demanding – and dangerous – work. Many have long forgotten what laborious work those that lived well over 140 years ago exerted in getting timber to the market. Before the use of logging trains, loggers relied on horses, oxen, wagons, and rivers to haul and transport logs. It worked – but […]
