O Scale Trains

I was immediately interested when I heard that Pixels Publishing, was coming out with a new book. Their previous offering, Moving Mail and Express by Mail, remains one of my all-time favorite railroad books—a template for reader satisfaction in terms of content, photos, layout, and printing. (more…)

Justin W. Strickland’s Chattanooga Terminal Station is not just a fine book about Chattanooga’s Terminal Station. It’s the photographic story of urban railroad passenger terminals throughout the United States during the height of passenger travel and the decline that occurred during the postwar years. In telling the story of Chattanooga’s Terminal Station, the book casts light on the whole plight of railroad stations that served dozens of “second tier” cities and towns. (more…)

Ran up to the York TCA show yesterday and chatted with a number of folks. They told me some interesting things such as: (more…)

I am saddened to report the death of Greg Heier, editor of O Scale News. I just saw Greg at the March Meet so it was a shock to learn he had passed away last Friday (April 17th).

Greg was the managing editor of OSN since 1987. He was also a writer and a professional photographer. Greg built his first 2-Rail O Scale model in 1955. Over the years Greg was a member of various clubs but his greatest love was volunteering at the Illinois Railway Museum. Not too long ago, Greg had become an NMRA Life Member and was elected to the O Scale Hall of Fame in September 2007.

While many thought there was animosity between OST and OSN, Greg was always cordial and collegial toward us. He was a great font of O Scale knowledge which will be missed.

Our condolences to Joy, his wife, and to all of Greg’s friends in the hobby.

For those interested there will be a memorial service on May 9th. Contact Rich Yoder [oscale48@comcast.net] for more information.

Joe Giannovario
Publisher

Add new home layout or module possibilities with just 2 turnouts and 1 crossing!

Although adherence to the O Scale module standards established by the East Penn Group is always the best way to ensure maximum compatibility with traction modules built by others, departure from the standards occasionally makes sense. This is especially true for “foreground” modules intended primarily for at-home use, such as the freelanced “small-town” module described this month. The module conforms to the height and electrical and track-separation standards of the East Penn group, but offsets the placement of the tracks entering and leaving the module. (more…)

Consider adding an upper level to your downtown terminal!

I recently noticed a Pacific Electric photograph with great modeling potential while thumbing through Donald Duke’s excellent West Coast Interurbans: California, recently published by Golden West Books. The photograph documents the junction where the upper level tracks of the Pacific Electric’s Los Angeles terminal joins street trackage. (more…)

An interview with traction modeler Gerald Brothers
A few weeks ago, I was discussing interurban rolling stock with Gerald Brothers, whose craftsmanship frequently graces these pages. Our conversation turned to the numerous combines he’s built for his line, the outside 3rd rail Black Hills and Western, set in South Dakota. (more…)

What to do with your excess models when your interests change

At one point or another, even the most dedicated traction modeler may find their attention being drawn in different directions. Their attention may be moving in the direction of modeling narrow gauge layouts, shortlines, or even modeling a high-density, multi-track mainline. (more…)

So, it’s Doom and Gloom everywhere you look. We’re inundated with bad news on television, the radio, newspapers, and the Internet. But I was witness to the most amazing sight in January of this year and this is the first chance I’ve had to share it with you. (more…)

Welcome to the seventh anniversary edition of O Scale Trains Magazine! It doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago that I decided to publish an all O Scale magazine. I guess the aphorism is true: Time flies when you’re having fun. (more…)