Extra Board
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April 13, 2020
Collecting Burlington Northern’s First Decade in HO
The Burlington Northern merger took effect on March 3, 1970, and with it came a number of new HO scale releases (both real and imagined) wearing the colorful Cascade Green.
October 18, 2019
Athearn’s 1972 Computerization
The early 1970s saw many companies employ computers for the first time. Model train maker Athearn added IBM’s System/3 Model 6 for use in keeping track of the company’s products and production.
July 18, 2019
Classic Literature from Revell Trains
One of the challenges in presenting past hobby company histories is documenting the promotional materials produced by those manufacturers. Do you have catalog or promotional materials from the Revell HO scale train line you could share with us?
January 17, 2019
The Little Engine That Could: The Ubiquitous Dockside Switcher
Baltimore & Ohio’s stubby little C-16 class steam locomotive has provided the inspiration for HO scale models in plastic and metal since the 1950s.
January 17, 2019
Things We Never Kept
What makes vintage HO literature challenging is not the lack of publications and related materials produced over the years, but the lack of retention of those now-precious items.
November 19, 2018
Looking Back at Campbell Scale Models
One of the many product lines HO Collector is researching and seeking additional materials is Campbell Scale Models. The company has been producing craftsman-level kits for more than half a century.
October 26, 2018
The Iconic Athearn Hustler
Offered in many variations over the years since 1957, Athearn’s “Hustler” is not a prototype of anything, but it is a neat-looking, little locomotive that “might have been.”
October 23, 2018
Planning Ahead: Managing Your Collection
As in all life matters, planning ahead makes a big difference to any outcome. Too often our heirs have no concept of our collections. While we are happily accumulating all the various bits and pieces involved in the pursuit of the hobby it makes sense to take a few moments to document our holdings.
July 26, 2018
Auction Excitement
Looking over a local auction ad, I saw that an assortment of HO-scale model trains was promised for the offering at this event. How could I pass it up?
May 21, 2018
Modeling Nostalgia
Model too seriously, and face derision for losing sight of the fact that model railroading is supposed to be fun. Model for pure fun, you’re derided for simply playing around because after all, it’s supposed to be a model railroad, not a toy train. Where is the line in the balance?
