Archive-name: model-railroad-faq/infoããThis is part of the rec.models.railroad list of Frequently AskedãQuestions (FAQ).  It is maintained by Ralph Marshallã(rjm@cs.brown.edu) All contributions and corrections are welcome, butãI'm ultimately responsible for what appears here. ããNew material since last posting:ããDefinitionsã-----------ããQ. What does prototype mean?ããIt has several meanings, but typically refers to real-world trainsã(in contrast to scale models of them).  Also called 12"-to-the-foot.ãHowever, it can also mean the first item in a series, which meaning isãoften applied to equipment built as tests by real railroads.ããQ. What is the difference between scale and gauge?ããScale is the ratio between the model and the prototype; for example, Nãscale is 1/160th of the size of the real world.  Gauge is the distanceãbetween the inside faces of the two rails.  Standard gauge in theãUnited States and most of the British Commonwealth is 4'8.5", with 3'ãand 2' as fairly common narrow gauges.  Note that this standardizationãdid not exist when railroads were first being built, causing excessiveãdelays when people and freight had to transfer between railroads withãincompatible gauges. ããQ. What sizes (actually scales) do models come in?ããThe standard scales, listed in approximate order of popularity, are:ããHO 1/87 (actually 3.5mm to the foot, or 1/87.1)ãN       1/160 (1/152, 2mm per foot in the UK)ãO       1/48 (but see below)ãG       1/22.5 or 1/24, or whatever the manufacturer decidesãS       1/64ãOO      1/76.2 (4 mm to the foot, mostly used in the UK)ãZ       1/220ãNo. 1   1/32 ãTT      1/120 (common scale in the former GDR, only produced by Zeuke inã               Berlin)ããBy design, this list only includes the common scales which mostãbeginning modelers are likely to run into. There are many other scalesãand variations in scales (for example, OO is slightly different in theãUS but virtually nobody uses it here), but this is a list ofã_frequently_ asked questions, not an exhaustive (and thus difficult toãread) compilation of every scale known to exist.ããPeople build models in other (typically larger) scales, but they tendãto be mostly scratchbuilt.  1/8th scale (1.5" to the foot) is a commonãsize for outdoor models large enough to carry people.ããIn O scale, track has been traditionally laid to scale 5'0" gaugeãinstead of standard.  O scale modelers divide into four groupsãaccording to how they handle the discrepancy between gauge and scale:ãã a. most O scalers live with the discrepancy.ã b. some model at 1/45 scale, keeping the traditional O gauge.ã c. some model at 1/48 (known as Proto:48) and narrow the traditional guageã    to standard, but these models will not interoperate with the firstã    two groups.ã d. European modellers use 7mm/ft, with 32mm track gauge (the fine scaleã    folks use 33mm). 32mm gives a scale gauge just less than 4ft 7in, andã    33mm gives marginally over 4ft 8.5in.ããAlso, there is a sharp distinction between 0-scale trains/layouts, andãO-gauge tinplate trains. The trains made by Lionel and other toyãmanufacturers are called "tinplate" (for historical reasons) and runãon 3-rail track.  The original track has a rounded head and very tallãrails (hence the term "hi-rail" is also used), although much moreãprototypical track is now made for 3-rail locomotives.  They typicallyãuse AC propulsion power. Confusion arises because both use "0 gauge",ã1 1/4" between the rails. 0-scale models are built to 1/4" scale andãtypically are models of particular prototypes. Tinplate models areãtypically made to a somewhat smaller scale and are often 'generic',ãi.e., they generally represent no one prototype, but rather give theãgeneral impression of a number of real trains.  Some more expensiveãtinplate trains are prototypical, and this is a increasing trend.ããQ. What is HOn3 scale?ããThis is HO scale equipment (1/87th) running on narrow gauge railsãspaced 3 feet apart. Narrow gauge in other scales is represented in aãsimilar fashion. There are similar notations for models whose gauge isãbased on non-English measurements, such as HOm (HO scale, one-meterãgauge) and HOe (HO scale, 0.80 meter guage (*)), as well asãHOn30, which indicates 30" (2.5') gauge (**).ãã(*) The 'e' indicates 'eighty cm' as used on prototypes such as theãSalzgamergut Railway in Germany.ãã(**) My understanding is that this is a compromise which approximatesã2' gauge (once used widely by logging roads in Maine, among otherãplaces) but that allows standard gauge N scale drive mechanisms to beãused after replacing the wheels. I believe that both the 1992 and 1993ã"Great Model Railroads" from Kalmbach include pictures of DavidãFrary's "Carrabassett & Dead River" layout which is HOn30.  Since soãfew people model 2' gauge there is no supply of ready-to-run drivesãavailable and the compromise allows somebody who isn't a machinist toãbuild the models.ãããQ. What do scratchbuilt and kitbashed mean?ããThese terms have somewhat vague boundaries, but basically indicateãthat a model was not built directly as suggested from a kit.ãScratchbuilt usually means starting with wood, cardboard, plastic, orãother basic materials and then designing and cutting all of theãnecessary pieces.  Kitbashing refers to starting with one or moreãcommercial kits but assembling the pieces in a different fashion,ãoften adding other material or recutting the original pieces.  Both ofãthese methods allow you to build models for which no kits areãavailable.ããQ. What does RTR mean?ããAbbreviation for "ready to run," indicating that the model can beãremoved from the box and placed directly on the tracks without anyãassembly, and usually without painting or lettering.ããQ. What are "shake the box" and "craftsman" kits?ãã"Shake the box" is a slightly derogatory term describing a kit soãsimple to assemble that all you need to do is shake the box and it isãfinished. (Actual assembly usually takes 30-60 minutes and requiresãonly a knife, plastic glue, tweezers and a small screwdriver.) Thisãease of assembly usually indicates that there is a lower level ofãdetail, but also makes the kits less expensive and allow you to buildãup a large fleet in a reasonable amount of time.  Athearn freight carsãare an example of a good quality kit of this type.ããA craftsman kit implies that more time (and perhaps skill/experience)ãis needed to assemble the kit. They often include parts made of wood,ãmetal, plaster, and paper/cardstock in addition to plastic, requiringãknowledge of what adhesives should be used for different materials.ãThe benefit of this extra work is that the model typically looks muchãmore realistic and detailed if properly assembled; such kits are oftenãmade in small runs and correspond to a specific prototype rather thanãsimply giving a general impression.  Many structures are available asãcraftsman kits in addition to models of rolling stock, withãWesterfield being probably the best known supplier of cars in HOãscale.ããQ. What is a traction layout?ããThe term as used in model railroading refers to streetcars, trolleys,ãand electric-powered interurban lines.  They usually contain veryãtight curves and overhead wiring (functional in some cases) in anãurban setting.ããQ. What is hydrocal?ããThis a plaster product commonly used for creating terrain.  Theãeasiest sources seem to be model railroad stores, since I've yet toãfind a building supply store that has any idea what I want.  Theãadvantage of hydrocal is that it is very strong once it sets up, asãopposed to plaster which needs something underneath it to support itãeven after it dries.  Hydrocal needs support while setting butãcardboard strips do just fine.  Regular plaster requires chicken wireãand wood supports for shaping -- it's a lot more work, and a lot moreãweight.ããQ. What is a rerail frog?ããA. A rerail-frog is a kind of a metal ramp thing that is used to helpãre-rail a car or engine that has gone off the track but not wanderedãtoo far away or overturned.  It is temporarily spiked, wedged orãclamped next to the rail at the wheel that needs to be lifted backãover the rail and then the car is pushed or pulled by the engine toãget the wheel to ride up over the ramp and back onto the track.ãTypically in branch line service you would see these dangling from theãsides of the tender along with some chains or cables.  More toolsãincluding jacks, levers, wrenches for splice bolts and so on might beãkept in the caboose or stashed on the engine.ããQ. What is a winterization hatch?ããA. A hatch or cover used to cover up or close off the normalãventilation for oil-coolers, air-coolers or excess fan/radiator areaãfor exterme cold weather.ããQ. What is a Maintenance of Way (MOW) car?ããThese are "non-revenue" cars (so-called because they are not used toãservice paying customers) used by the railroad for upkeep on theãtrack, roadbed, and surrounding infrastructure.  These are typicallyãolder or damaged cars no longer suitable for high-speed work.  Theyãinclude things such as cranes, ballast cars (converted hoppers used toãspread gravel between the ties), tie cars, rail cars, etc.  Since theyãare usually fabricated by the shop crew out of whatever is availableãthey come in a wider range of styles than ordinary cars.ããOrganizationsã-------------ããQ. What is the NMRA?ããThis is the National Model Railroaders Association.  They setãstandards, host conventions, and generally promote the hobby.ãMemberships are available, with discounted rates for students.ã ãNMRA, Inc.ãHeadquarters Officeã4121 Cromwell Rd.ãChattanooga, TN 37421ã(615)892-2846ã ãQ. What is NTRAK?ããThis is a national organization devoted to modular railroading in Nãscale.  They publish a set of standards for modules which can beãconnected to each other.  Clubs can use this standard to allow membersãto build modules at home and then connect all of them into a largeãlayout during meetings.  There are similar organizations in the otherãscales but none of them seem to have the same widespread acceptance.ããJim FitzGerald, editor ãNTRAKã2424 Alturas Rd.ãAtascadero, CA 93422  ã(805)466-1758ããModel Railroad Clubsã--------------------ããCanadian Rockies Railroad Museum Foundation (CanRail)ãS scale layout, 1970-modernãRegular membership CDN$60 per yearãContact: Dave Chornell, (403) 486-0234ãã**************************************ãCarnegie-Mellon Railroad Club (at CMU)ããWe currently have 8 charter members and approximately 12 other peopleãwho have expressed serious interest in the club.  We have the use of aãsmall storage area in a residence hall on campus and are working towardsãbuilding a number of modules.ããc/o Derrick Brashear                   c/o Jason Togyerã5115 Margaret Morrison Street  -OR-    Box 1376ãBox No. 836                            1060 Morewood Avenue ãPittsburgh, Pa 15213                   Pittsburgh, Pa, 15213.ãã******************************************ããEdmonton Model Railroad Association (EMRA)ã51'x31' two-level HO gauge layout, 1961 era.ãMeets every Tuesday from 8:00-10:00ãFort Edmonton Park, freight shedãRegular membership CDN$66 per year, bimonthly newsletter $7 per yearãContact: Mark Johnson, (403) 436-2480 (johnson@arc.ab.ca)ãã**************************************ãRensselaer Railroad ShopãBox 27, RPI Student UnionãTroy, NY 12180-3590ããAll profits support the RPI student RR club, the NEB&W, made famous byãmany fine photos in Model Railroader.  The catalog is veryãinteresting, prices are average, service has been good. Due to theirãsmall size, both monetarily and in terms of actual floor space, theãinventory is rather small.  Many items have to be special ordered, soãsome orders can take weeks depending on how slow Walthers is. Theãcatalog is free, including postage.ããPhone: 518-276-2971ãFax: 518-276-6507 (Make sure the shop's name is clearly visible)ãHours: M-Th, 9:30AM-3:30PMãFriday, Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PMããBoth the Hobby Shop and layout are open year round Fridays andãSaturdays only. Other times are for mail order business andãinformation only.ããAnthony PratticoãPresident, Rensselaer Model Railroad Societyãanthony@rpi.eduãã**************************************ããBooksã-----ããNote: there are MANY books dealing with railroading, both model andãprototype, historical and contemporary, various regions, etc., and weãsimply don't have space for an exhaustive list.  I'd like this to be aãshort (~20 entries) list of basic books to get somebody started.  Aãone paragraph review would be most helpful.ãã****************ãã"Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John ArmstrongãPublished by Kalmbach, [I don't have the price handy]ããThis is an excellent softcover book which introduces you to the issuesãinvolved in trying to design your own layout.  It discusses enough ofãprototype railroading to explain why certain track configurations areãcommon, and how you can incorporate compressed versions in yourãlayout.  This has been widely recommended by many people and should beãconsidered a must-read for somebody setting out to build a layout. ãã****************ãã"Steam Locomotive Cyclopaedia", published by Kalmbach.ããThis is a large (coffee table size) softbound book with a blue cover.ãThey publish a Diesel locomotive companion as well. You should be ableãto find this book advertised in a "Model Railroader" or a hobby shopãwith an interest in model railroading. A good book with photos andãdrawings (most of which are in HO scale).ãã****************ããMagazinesã---------ããThe following is a list of magazines which carry articles of interestãto model railroaders.  Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsmanãseem to be available in most of the hobby stores I've been to; theãothers depend partly on where you live and partly on how good theãstore is.ãã****************ãCanadian Railway ModellerãN. Kildonan RPO Box 28103, 1453 Henderson HighwayãWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2G 4E9ã(204) 668-0168 Voice/Faxã$23.54 for 1 year (6 issues) Inside Canada, $28.00 Outside CanadaãFocusses on Canadian prototypes and Canadian modellers.ãã****************ãThe Home Shop Machinist (6)ãDept z-20, Box 1810, ãTraverse City, MI., 49685ã800-447-7367ãã****************ãEisenbahn AmateurãBuhler Druck AGãPostfachãCH-8027 Zurich ãSwitzerlandãã89.- CHF/year international (add 40.- CHF for air mail)ããThis magazine  is mostly in German,  with some articles in French.  It coversãmainly Swiss railways  (SBB/CFF and private-owned ones).  It has only a smallãmodeling section.ãã****************ãGarden Railways ãPO Box 61461, ãDenver, CO 80206ããPhone and Fax (303) 733-4779ã[I've been informed that there is a widget to figure out what theãincoming call is]ããPublished bimonthly for US$21ã(US$28 Foreign) per year.ãã****************ãLoco RevueãEditions Loco Revue SARLãBP 104ãF-56401 Auray CEDEXãFranceãã320.- FF/year internationalããThis magazine is in French.  It covers mainly French railways (SNCF).  It hasãa very good modeling section (how-to, detailing, electronics, ...).ãã****************ãModel Railroader (monthly)ãKalmbach Publishingã21027 Crossroads CircleãPO Box 1612ãWaukesha, WI  53187ããPhone (800) 533-6644 (subscriptions, open 24 hrs) ã      (414) 796-8776 (editorial)ã1 Yr. $28.95, $34.95 Canada, $39.95 Foreign.  Payable in US funds.ã              (Canada add 7% GST to total)ãã****************ããN Gauge Society,ãc/o R. M. Pulham ã4 Russet Close ãStanford-le-HopeãEssex, England SS17 8AHãã****************ãO Gauge Railroading (6)ãPOB 239F, ãNazareth, Pa., 18064ããThis magazine is mostly about trains made to run on 3-rail tinplateãtrack, such as Lionel, K-Line, Weaver, and Williams. It contains lessãmaterial about 2-rail scale trains.ãã****************ã0 Scale News  (4)ãP. O. Box 51ãElmhurst, IL, 60126ãã0 Scale News is *the* magazine among 0 scale modelers.ãã****************ãRailroad Model Craftsman (monthly)ãSubscription Dept. 2610ãBox 700ãNewton, NJ  07860ããPhone (201) 383-3355ã1 yr. $25, 2 yrs. $47, 3 yrs. $67, Canada add $6/year, foreign $8/yearãã****************ãTrains (monthly) ãSame ordering address and phone number as Model RailroaderããDeals exclusively with real railroads, both contemporary (the mainãemphasis) and historical.ãã1 Yr. $28.95, 2 Yrs. $55 3 Yrs. $78 Extra postage: Canada $17.75 ãMexico $18.50 Europe and South America $36.15 Central America $26.20ãAll other foreign coutries $46.20.ãã****************ããThe following magazine listings are from the same source as the bulkãof the historical societies, with the same guarantee.  The number inãparentheses is the number of annual issues.  Corrigenda (andãreviews/summaries from readers) are always appreciated.ããBus World (4)ãPOB 17018, N. Hollywood, Ca., 91615ããCN Linesã2488 Paige Janette Dr., Harvey, La., 70058ããDiesel Era (6)ãWithers Publ., 528 Dunkle School Road, Halifax, Pa., 17032ã3.95/20ããElectric Lines (6)ãNJ International, 77 W. Nicholai St., Hicksville, NY, 11801ã3.95/1950;36.75ããExtra 2200 South (4)ããFlimsies (26)ãWestern Lines Prod., POB 6776-W, Orange, Ca., 92613ã1/25/49/72/88/100ããGarden Railways (6)ãPOB 61461, Denver, Co., 80206, 303-733-4779ããJournal of Container Transport (2)ãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017ããJournal of Passenger Transport (2)ãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017ããJournal of Railway Tank Cars (2)ãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017ããKey, Lock & Lantern (4)ãSandy Van Hoorebecke, 73 Pitch St., Bloomfield, NJ., 07003ããLive SteamãDept z-19, POB 629, Traverse City, Mi., 49685, 800-447-7367ããLocomotive & Railway Preservation (12)ãDept. 50, POB 246, Richmond, Vt., 05477ããLocomotive Quarterly (4)ãMetaphor, Dept 1089T, POB 383, Mt. Vernon, NY, 10552ããMaine 2-foot Modeler Newsletter (6)ã6017 W. South Range Road, Salem, Ohio, 44460ããMainline Modeler (12)ãHundman Publ., 5115 Monticello Dr., Edmonds, Wa., 98026, 206-743-2607ããModel Railroading (12)ãRocky Mountain Publ., 2854 Larimer St., Denver, Co., 80205ã2.95/28ããMotive Power Review (4)ãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017ããMotor Carrier & Truck Transport Journal (2)ãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017ããNarrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette (6)ãBenchmark Publ., 399 Main St., los Altos, Ca., 94022ããNew Electric Railway Journal (4)ã717 Second St. NE, Washington, DC, 20002, 202-546-3004ã5.95/20ããNorthwest Railfan (12)ã13118-163rd Av. SE, Snohomish, Wa., 98290ããN Scale (6)ãHundman Publ., 5115 Monticello Dr., Edmonds, Wa., 98026, 206-743-2607ããNTrak Newsletterã2424 Aturas Road, Atascadero, Ca., 93422ããPacific Rail News (12)ãInterurban Press, POB 6128, Glendale, Ca., 91225, 818-240-9130ããPassenger Train Journal (12)ãInterurban Press, POB 6128, Glendale, Ca., 91225, 818-240-9130ããPrivate Varnish (12)ãInterurban Press, POB 6128, Glendale, Ca., 91225, 818-240-9130ããPrototype Modeler (12)ãPOB 7032, Fairfax Station, Va., 22039-7032ããRail Classics (12)ãPOB 16149, N. Hollywood, Ca., 91304, 818-760-8983ããRailfan & Railroad (12)ãCarstens Publ., POB 700, Newton, NJ., 07860, 201-383-3355ããThe Railfan Photographer (2)ãPOB 2558, Littleton, Co., 80161-2558ããRail Model Journal (12)ãGolden Bell Press, 2403 Champa St., Denver, Co., 80205, 303-296-1600ããRailpace (12)ãPOB 927, Piscataway, NJ., 08854ããRails (26)ãTexas-Wolverine Co., POB 50612/MS101P, Denton, Tx., 76206ããRail Services Update (52)ã2110 Sheridan Dr., Madison, Wi., 53704ããRail Travel News (21)ãPOB 9007, Berkeley, Ca., 94709ããThe Scale Coupler (12)ãGreen Lantern Press, POB 7032, Fairfax Station, Va., 22039-7032ããScale Model Traction & Trolleys Quarterly (4)ãc/o Vanishing Traction Prod., POB 04016, Milwaukee, Wi., 53204ãã"S"cale Railroading (5)ã1446 Fremont Av., Los Altos, Ca., 94024ããS GaugianãHeimburger House Publ., 7236 W. Madison St., Forest Park, Il., 60130ããShort & Narrow Rails (12)ãPOB 6579, Conton, Ohio, 44706ããThe Short Line (6)ãPOB 607-R, Pleasant Garden, NC., 27313ããSn3 Modeler (2)ã7236 W. Madison St., Forest Park, Il., 60130ããTimberbeast (4)ãPOB 3695, Eugene, Or., 97403ããTraction (6)ãPOB 526, Canton, Ohio, 44701ããHistorical Societiesã--------------------ããA number of private (mostly volunteer) groups exist to help exchangeãhistorical information about railroading.  Most, but not all, of theseãclubs deal with defunct railroads, although many include informationãabout successor lines.  Note that many of these organizations are runãon a shoestring and thus may have moved or ceased operation since Iãlast wrote to them.  Also, if you write to ask for specificãinformation it is considered good form to either join the club or atãleast send a small donation - the person answering your letter isn'tãgetting paid to do so.ããThe following listings have been sent to me recently are thus are moreãlikely to still be valid by the time you read this.ãã****************ãAnthracite Railroads Historical SocietyãPOB 119, Bridgeport, Pa., 19405 ããOur (almost) quarterly magazine is called FLAGS, DIAMONDS, ANDãSTATUES.  This group focuses on railroads serving the anthracite coalãmining region of northeast Pennsylvania, with emphasis on:ã   Central of New Jerseyã   Delaware, Lackawanna, & Westernã   Lehigh & Hudson Riverã   Lehigh & New Englandã   Lehigh Valleyã   Readingãã****************ãB&O Historical SocietyãP.O. Box 13578ãBaltimore, MD 21203ãã****************ãDelaware & Hudson ãBridge Line HS, Box 7242 ãCapital Station, Albany, NY 12224ããIt's a fairly new society (2nd or 3rd year). Has a nice monthly "Bulletin."ãã$15.00 Regularã 12.50 Employee (of D&H Soo or CP Rail)ã 20.00 Familyã 17.50 Employee Familyã 50.00 Corporateãã****************ããErie Lackawanna Technical & Historical Society ãCovers Erie, DL&W & ELããc/o Tim Stuyã56-J Village GreenãBudd Lake, NJ 07828ãã****************ããMonon RR Historical-Technical Societyãc/o Ed Lewnardã410 S. Emerson St.ãMt. Prospect, IL 60056ããDues $15/20 year, back issues about $2.50 each.ãã****************ããNORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONããThis post contains information on the Northern Pacific Railway HistoricalãAssociation, our magazine THE MAINSTREETER, and our 1993 Convention.ãA membership application is included.ããWe appreciate your interest in the Northern Pacific Railway HistoricalãAssociation.  The NPRHA's over 1000 members are dedicated to research,ãpreservation, and modeling the Northern Pacific Railway.ãa)  We publish THE MAINSTREETER magazine, a 32+ page quarterly magazine, ãas our main way of preserving information about the NP. ãb)  We publish a calendar illustrated with NP photographs and highlightedãwith the dates of many important events in NP history.ãc)  The NPRHA holds an ANNUAL CONVENTION at an important point along the line. ãd)  The Association also produces original video tapes and color slide setsãand offers a variety of clothing, hats, and other souvenir items.  The videoãtapes show and discuss the operations of the NP using the experiences ofãveteran NP workers and historic films, photographs, and documents.  All ofãthose items are available from our Company Store. ããThe MAINSTREETER MAGAZINE is produced using high quality photographicãreproductions with articles written by NPRHA members.  The magazine containsãone to three articles per issue along with regular columns on modeling,ãcollectibles, stories of the NP, plus general NPRHA and NP news.  The successãof this magazine has attracted many new members, swelling our membership overãthe 1000 mark. ããRegular association dues are $17.00 per year, with Sustaining Membershipsãavailable at $32.00 (includes 1st class postage and a contribution to the workãof NPRHA).  NP Veterans are eligible for the special rate of $10.00 per year,ãwith full membership priviledges.  Members receive four quarterly issues of TheãMainstreeter Magazine and an NPRHA calendar. The calendar reproduces historicãphotographs and shows significant events in NP history.  Calendars areãavailable separately.ããFOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE NPRHA, contact Rufus Cone by email atãUPHRC@terra.oscs.montana.edu or write our membership chairman: ã Richard Loopã 550 Amy Laneã Idaho Falls, ID 83406.ãã****************ãPennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical SocietyãPO Box 389ãUpper Darby, PA  19082ããThey publish "The Keystone" quarterly, an excellent glossy magazine.ãMagazine subscription only: $20/year, $25/year for SustainingãMembership, $50/year for Contributing Membership.  $10/year extraãpostage to foreign countries.  Back issues available.  They also offerãa photo list (although the turnaround is excruciatingly slow) and haveãproduced helpful and well-researched answers to several questions I'veãasked. ãã****************ããRock Island Technical Societyã8746 N. TroostãKansas City, MO 64155ãã$15/yr dues: quarterly newsletter, annual digest, single page calendarãregional and annual meetings, drawing service.ãBrochure available upon request.ãã****************ããTeen Association of Model Railroaders, ãc/o John Reichel, 1800 E. 38th St.ãOakland, CA 94602ãã****************ããUpper Canada Railway SocietyãPO Box 122 - Station AãToronto, Ont.  M5W 1A2ããChartered 1941. Publishes "Rail & Transit" monthly, a 16 pageãmagazine of prototype mainline and transit news, historicalãarticles and occasionally including(as insert) a more indepthãBulletin on a particular subject. No photos except front andãback cover.ããMembership dues, which include subscription to "Rail & Transit", are:ãCanada - $29.00    USA/Overseas - $32.00   Student(<=17) - $19.00ããMonthly meetings are also held, usually in Toronto.ãã****************ããNOTE: Each year Model Railroader includes an extensive list ofãrailroad historical societies in the February issue.  It is bound toãbe at least as accurate as the listings below, so get a copy if at allãpossible.ããThe following information was sent to me as shown, and has not beenãchecked for accuracy.  It did include an out-of-date listing for theãPRRT&HS, so expect some of these to be wrong.  Please send anyãcorrections (including defunct groups) so that I can improve the valueãof the list.ãã RR Name (or region)ã Society/museum name,address,phoneããGeneral interestã----------------ãCalifornia State RR Museum, 115 I St., Sacramento, Ca., 95814, 916-324-4724ããEarly American Railroading Group, POB 101-Z, Allegan, Mi., 49010ããEarly Piggyback SIG, c/o Mark Vaughn, POB 24223, Chicago, Il., 60690ããLocomotives in Parks SIG, c/o Dick Nedrow, POB 501, Manchester, Wa., 98353ããMid-Continent Railway His. Soc., North Freedom, Wi., 53951, 608-522-4261ããNational Railway His. Soc., POB 58183, Philadelphia, Pa., 19102ããNational Trust for Historic Preservation, ã1785 Massachusetts Av. NW,ãWashington, DC., 20036ããRR Club of Chicago, c/o Richard C Young, POB 4920, Chicago, Il., 60680ããRR Prototype Modelers, POB 7916, Laverne, Ca., 91750ããRR Station HS, 430 Ivy Av., Crete, Ne., 68333ããRailway & Locomotive HS,ãc/o H Arnold Wilder, Treas.ã46 Lowell Road, Westford, Ma., 01886ããSociety of Freight Car Historiansãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca.,  91017-2480ããRailroad Historical Societiesã-----------------ããAmtrakãPOB 1019, Saint Johns, Az., 85936-1019ããAnn Arbor (also Michigan Northern and Tuscola & Saginaw Bay)ãPOB 51, Chesaning, Mi., 48616ããAtchison, Topeka & Santa FeãSanta Fe Ry HS, POB 92887, Long Beach, Ca., 90809-2887ãSanta Fe Modelers' Org., 1704 Valley Ridge Road, Norman, Ok., 73072ããAtlantic Coast Line / Seaboard Air LineãSoutheastern RR HS ãc/o Joseph L. Oatesã4007 Paddlewheel Dr., Brandon, Fl,. 33511ããBoston & Maineãc/o Membership Secy., ãPOB 2362, Harwood Staion, Littleton, Ma., 01460ããBurlington Northernãc/o DG Casdorph, POB 2480, Monrovia, Ca., 91017-2480ããCanadian Nationalã(in Canada) Alf Goodall, 112 Mapleton Dr., Winnipeg, R2P 1C9, MB, Canadaã(in USA) RD #1, Box 295, Alum Bank, Pa., 15521-9658ããCentral Vermont Ryã5806 Edith Court, Virginia Beach, Va., 23464ããChesapeake & OhioãPOB 79, Clifton Forge, Va., 24422ããChicago, Burlington & Quincy (also Colorado & Southern)ãBurlington Route HS, POB 456, LaGrange, Il., 60525ããChicago & Eastern IllinoisãPOB 606, Crestwood, Il., 60445-0606ããChicago & Illinois Midlandãc/o Shane Mason, POB 3882, Springfield, Il., 62708-3882ããChicago & Northwesternãc/o Lou Hamilton, 1519 S. Mohawk Dr., Roselle, Il., 60172ããChicago North Shore LineãShore Line Interurban HS, POB 346, Chicago, Il., 60690ããChicago, Rock Island & PacificãRock Island Tech. Soc., ãc/o David J Engle, 8746 N. Troost, ãKansas City, Mo. 64155ããColorado RR Museum, POB 10, Golden, Co., 80402ããColorado Midland ã1731 N. Cooper, Colorado Springs, Co., 80907ããConrailãConrail Tech. Soc., POB 568, Maspeth, NY., 11378ãConrail HS, POB 1019, St. Johns, Az., 85936ããCotton Belt (St. Louis Southwestern)ãPOB 2044, Pine Bluff, Ar., 71613ããDuluth, Missabe & Iron RangeãMissabe HS, 719 Northland Av., Stillwater, Mn., 55082ããEast Broad TopãFriends of the EBT, POB 551, Riverside, NJ., 08075ããEast Tennessee & Western North Carolinaãc/o John R. Waite, 604 N 11th, DeSoto, Mo., 63020ããFonda, Johnstown & Gloversvilleãc/o Walt Danylak, 115 Upland Road, Syracuse, NY., 13207-1119ããGreat Northern (originally the Fraternal Order of Empire Builders) ã1781 Griffith, Berkeley, Mi., 48072ããGulf, Mobile & OhioãPOB 24, Chicago, Il., 60499ããHJ Heinzãc/o Bill Dippert, 2650 NW Robinia Lane, Portland, Or., 97229-4037ããIllinois CentralãMembership Dept., c/o Jim Kubajak, 14818 Clifton Park, Midlothian, Il., 60445ããIllinois TerminalãPOB 251, Washington, Il., 61571ããIllinois Tractionã19 Sunset Acres, Farmersville, Il., 62533ããKansas City SouthernãPOB 5332, Shreveport, La., 71135-5332ããLouisville & NashvilleãPOB 17122, Louisville, Ky., 40217ããRR HS of Maine, POB 6647, Portland, Me., 04104ããMaryland & PennsylvaniaãMa & Pa RR Preservation & HS, c/o George W Fitch Jr., 3609 Schoolhouse Lane,ã   Harrisburg, Pa., 17109ããMilwaukee RoadãMilw Road Railfan's Assoc., ãc/o Wendell Murphy, 7504 W Ruby Ave., Milwaukee,  Wi., 53218-5458ãMilwest (Milwaukee Road Lines West), ãc/o Ron Hamilton, 2506 SW Fissure Loop,ãRedmond, Or., 97756-9486ããMissouri & North ArkansasãM&A RR Museum, POB 44, Beaver, Ar., 72613ããKaty RR HS, c/o Roy V Jackson II, 732 Via Miramonte, Mesquite, Tx., 75150ããMissouri Pacific (also Texas Pacific)ãMP HS, POB 187, Addis, La., 70710ããNew Haven (New York, New Haven & Hartford)ãPOB 122, Wallingford, Ct., 06492ããNew York CentralãPOB 745, Mentor, Ohio, 44061-0745ããNickel Plate RoadãPOB 44222, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45244ããNorfold & Westernã638 Jefferson St., Ashland, Ohio, 44805ããNorthern Pacificãc/o Duane D Durr, #10-32nd Av NE, Fargo, ND., 58102ããNorthwestern PacificãPOB 721, Larkspur, Ca., 94939ããOntario & WesternãBox 713, Middletown, NY., 10940ããPacific Electric (also Los Angeles Railway)ãOrange Empire Railway Museum, POB 548, ãPerris, Ca., 92370-0548, 714-657-2605ããPiedmont & Northernãc/o Craig A Myers, POB 5481, Greenville, SC., 29606ããPittsburg, Shawmut & NorthernãRD #1, Box 361, Alfred Station, NY., 14803ããReading (Philadelphia & Reading)ãc/o Robert L Danner, POB 15143, Reading, Pa., 19612ããRio Grande SouthernãPOB 3358, La Mesa, Ca., 92044ããRutlandãPOB 6262, Rutland, Vt., 05701ããFrisco Modeler's Interest Group, ãc/o Charles Dischinger, 2541 W Allen Dr., ãSpringfield, Mo., 65810ãFrisco RR Museum, POB 276, Ash Grove, Mo., 65604, 417-672-3110ããSouthernãc/o BF Roberts, POB 4094, Martinez, Ga., 30907ãSouthern Ry His Assoc., POB 33, Spencer, NC., 28159ããSouthern PacificãSP H&TS, POB 2180, Huntington Beach, Ca., 92647ããSoo Line H&TS, c/o Michael Harrington, Treas., 3410 Kasten Ct., Middleton, Wi.,ã   53562ããSpokane, Portland & Seattleã6824-19th W. #134, Tacoma, Wa., 98466ããSusquehannaãPOB 272, Netcong, NJ., 07857ããTerminal RR Assoc (of St. Louis)ãTRRA H&TS, POB 1688, St Louis, Mo., 63188-1688ãã(Three Rivers area [Allegheny, Monongahela & Ohio Rivers])ãThree Rivers Narrow Gauge HS, 8 Cleveland Ct., Rockville, Md., 28050ããToledo, Peoria & Westernã615 Bullock St., Eureka, Il., 61530ããUnion PacificãPOB 5653, Arvada, Co., 80005-0653ããWabashãc/o Vance C Lischer Jr., Secy., 535 Dielman Road, St Louis, Mo., 63132ããWestern MarylandãWM RR HS, Inc., Union Bridge, Md., 21791ããWestern PacificãFeather River Rail Society, POB 8, Portola, Ca., 96122ãã