These large cars are as imposing as models as prototypes.
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

ExactRail's latest HO model - and the first available only from them direct - is the Berwick 7327 boxcar. These cars were built in the late 1970s for several railroads, and many remain in service today. Generally used to haul auto parts, they can also be found hauling other large but relatively light loads like appliances and furniture.

The latest models continue the tradition of quality we've come to expect from the company. For those who model the auto industry or the railroads that serve it, these cars will be a welcome addition to your roster. Read more in my full review.

©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

While the exterior of a locomotive normally gets all the attention, no matter how the locomotive is painted or streamlined on the outside, the true power lies within.

This fun photograph was made at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania during a recent night-photo session. With the help of Brian Alesin on the lighting and the doors, we created an interesting "double exposure" effect. Moving fast enough to not be seen on the camera, the side doors on the Museum's GP30 diesel were opened and closed during the single 30 second exposure. The result is an interesting "X-Ray" of the anatomy of these locomotives that were always appreciated more for their external features.

HPJX 950404 Cresson, PA 1-20-2012
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Like its Trailer Train flatcars and Railbox boxcars, Trailer Train (now TTX) began operating a fleet of gondolas under the Railgon name in the 1980s. The black and yellow gondolas were once a fixture all across North America.

Through the 1990s, most of the cars were sold to other railroads and companies. Some were repainted, most were simply given a quick patch like the one seen here. New reporting marks and a new "9" to renumber the car around existing cars were all it took for this one. Many of these cars still have a few years of life left in them, but it won't be long before they disappear for good.

The Lehigh Valley had 100 of these cars built by the Pennsy.
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The Pennsylvania Railroad's X-58 boxcar could be seen everywhere from the late 1960s through the 1990s. Found on the PRR, Lehigh Valley, Penn Central, Conrail and now Norfolk Southern and CSX, some of these classic 50' cars are still roaming the rails. Others have been converted into work cars. Surprisingly, a ready-to-run version of this classic has never been produced in any scale - until now.

Eastern Seaboard Models (ESM) has produced a very fine model of this distinctive car in N scale. The first run includes PRR and Lehigh Valley schemes. Future runs will include other roads and many of the variations made to the cars in later years. With see-through roofwalks and crisp paint and lettering, these cars stand out. Having not worked much with N scale in a few years, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of detail. Take a closer look for yourself.