All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm
COWCATCHER MAGAZINE
Railroad in Focus
Railroad in Focus takes an in-depth look at short lines and regional railroads, where they go, the kinds of industries they serve, their histories and perspectives from the operations team. We interview key stakeholders at featured railroads so you can learn more about them. Features are accompanied by color photographs and maps, and show some of the latest equipment in use today.
Arizona & Eastern Railway at Lordsburg, NM. – Tim Blackwell/Cowcatcher Magazine
Since our July/August issue of 2012, we have featured nearly three dozen short lines across the country!
Watch for more installments of Railroad in Focus in future issues of Cowcatcher Magazine! Our roster of railroads by issue includes:
JULY/AUGUST 2012 – South Kansas & Oklahoma SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 – Blacklands Railroad NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 – Louisiana Southern JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 – Fort Worth & Western Railroad
The Fort Worth & Western at Fort Worth, TX, in 2011. – Tim Blackwell/Cowcatcher Magazine
MARCH/APRIL 2013 – Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad MAY/JUNE 2013 – Brownsville & Rio Grande International JULY/AUGUST 2013 – Illinois Railway SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 – Watco Companies NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 – Nebraska, Kansas & Colorado Railway JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 – Semo Port Railroad MARCH/APRIL 2014 – Texas Central Railway MAY/JUNE 2014 – Austin Western Railroad JULY/AUGUST 2014 – Timber Rock Railroad SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 – Short Line Industry NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 – Nebraska Central Railroad JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 – San Antonio Central Railroad
The San Antonio Central in October 2014. – Tim Blackwell/Cowcatcher Magazine
MARCH/APRIL 2015 – New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway
Spring is when large-scale model railroaders with their green thumbs plant and prune colorful foliage grown nearly to scale. In some areas, maintaining outdoor layouts is quite challenging because of changing weather. Nancy Norris, an author who builds garden railroads professionally, says some plant varieties have become more difficult to grow in certain Hardiness Zones. In some cases it means garden railroaders having to put more emphasis on growing native plants rather than relying on varieties more susceptible to extreme conditions. She recommends new gardeners consult with their local nurseries for the best choices for an outdoor layout. Norris also has a few recommendations of her own.
Tariffs Cause Concern
Sweeping tariffs imposed on goods imported into the United States are stirring model railroad manufacturers. As a result, model railroading and other hobbies will cost more. In February the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, and the tax has since escalated. Suppliers – including Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co., Broadway Limited, Rapido Trains and ScaleTrains – have been putting dealers and customers on notice that prices will increase tariffs are implemented.
Managing Freight Cars
The first rule of railroading is “expect movement on any track at any time in any direction.” This may seem like an overabundance of caution, but railroading is a dangerous sport. Always expect a train when you’re around the tracks. The second rule of railroading is that there is an exception to every rule. The North American freight car fleet in 2023 consisted of 2.03 million rail cars, according to Railinc’s Umler Equipment Index. Rail car fleet management — how empty cars get dispatched to move to their next loading point — is an ever-moving process and often requires fleet car managers to be nimble.
Plus
A vintage Lionel store display is always a crowd pleaser, Atlas' N-scale True-Track is the right solution for a new test track on the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, The Green Diamond was Illinois Central's gem on the St. Louis-to-Chicago route and more!
