Note from the President Evan Cilhar
Edition 5 is a huge leap forward for Railroading in America Magazine. We have created
an executive board that consists of myself, Garrett Monnin, Max Harris, Jonah Collins, and Tim Lewis. Great thanks go out to Max for a job well done on design. Our official website is up
and the address is www.railroadinginamerica.com. You can order magazines and merchandise online from now on. We also have forums and newslines where you can read articles about current railroad news. Please be sure to check it out. Railroading in America Magazine is
looking for new interns! Visit our website for more details. We are also looking for affiliates that own train stores that would be willing to sell our products in their store. Please call 234-281-7451 for details. I would like to personally thank you for your interest and support, and see you trackside!
Railroading in America Magazine is a group of dedicated, young railroad enthusiasts bringing quality news and magazines to the railroading community since 2017.
Table of Contents Railfanning with Drones................................................................................................1-2 Super Detailing in HO Scale.........................................................................................3-4 Trains of San Diego......................................................................................................5-8 Cumbres and Toltect Shop Tour...............................................................................................9-10 Review of Lionel's SD60M........................................................................................11-14 Railfanning in Berea, OH..........................................................................................15-16 Building SP 7342 in HO Scale..................................................................................17-18 Railroad Musuems of Phoenix, AZ............................................................................19-20 Norfolk Southern Heritage Lives On!.........................................................................21-22
Note from the Design Cheif Max Harris People always ask me why I like trains so much, and there are of course a number of answers that I can give, such as influences my grandfather who was an avid model railroader, but there is really only one reason why I like trains so much, and I think this goes for all of us in the hobby: Trains make me happy. If I am having a bad day, I can always get a smile out of running a train on my layout, and nothing makes me perk up more than seeing a real train. This goes the same for any hobby really, and for life in general. Do what makes you happy, because being happy is the best way to enjoy life. For me, trains make me happy, so trains are my life.
Railfanning Takes to the Skies!
A Modern Twist on an Old Tradition Article and Photographs by Max Harris In today’s time, technology is growing exponentially with developments made in all fields. One of the most well know technological breakthroughs of the modern day is probably drones. Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used for just about anything, whether photography, recreation, monitoring, observation, and others. In the world of trains, drone are now taking off as many rail fans have advanced to using these marvels of the 21st century to capture trains from a whole new level. Using drones to film trains is becoming increasingly popular, as it provides a unique perspective to see a train from. However, as with any new technology, it is important to understand procedure, especially with something like a drone. Failure to do so can result in being fined, destruction of private property, or even injuries. All drones need to be registered by the Federal Aviation Association, which can be done on the FAA website. There are also many laws regarding where you can fly, and around what. Drones must be kept below 400 Feet from the area of take-off and the pilot must have a visual on the drone at all times. Drones also can not be flown over large crowds, as the drone could fall out of the sky and injure some one. Additionally, many townships and even the railroads themselves will have laws regarding the use of drones so it is important to check with everyone before you fly. Drones are a creative and innovative way to film trains, and many drones have great cameras installed. DJI is one of the most common manufacturers, and I personally have the DJI Phantom 3 Standard Edition. This drone shoots video from a mounted camera at 2.7K with 30 Frames per Second. The camera is mounted to the drone with a gimbal stabilizer, so even if the drone is rocking back and forth, the video won’t be shaky. However, it is important to note that most drones are not equipped with a microphone, as the sound would just be lots of buzzing from the propellers. I personally use a camera on the ground with a microphone for audio on the drone. Using the drone, different perspectives of viewing a stain can be accomplished, such as high-speed pursuits. DJI Drones can travel up to 40 MPH while sustaining quality video, which means you can follow a train while moving to get a shot normally impossible!
For some shots, more experience as a pilot is required for a successful and safe flight. Practicing flying is an important part of being a pilot so during the real flights, there are no accidents. I recommend finding a large open space without obstructions such as power lines to get used the controls. This way you understand the proper way to fly your drone, and ensures there won’t be an accident when you fly while photographing. It is very important that you stay attentive to your surroundings when flying too. Your drone should never be so far from your eyes that you can’t see it. While the camera on the drone is great, it does not cover all areas surrounding the drone, so you could potentially fly into a hazard. Make sure you know where you are, and what is around you at all times. Railfanning is not the only use for drones. In the modern world, railroads are using new technology to make inspections easier. Union Pacific Railroad has begun to use drones to inspect their bridges, and trained their track inspectors to fly drones for this. This just one more way America’s railroads are adapting to modern times and incorporating modern technology into rail operations. Drones are not only an exciting new piece of technology for rail enthusiasts but also are a way to modernize the railroads in America, and will help progress the most glamorous mode of transportation in America.
The Strasburg Railroad's Norfolk and Western 475 arrives at Cherry Hill Station in November, 2017. This picture was taken with a DJI Phantom 3, and then color corrected on Photoshop.