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idktrains / idkjoelle 🚂

@idktrains

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2014 / nowhere / IL railfan 🇵🇱🇲🇽
posting model train and train nonsense 💭
check out my online store! 🚂

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#ad Thanks to @pikoamerica for sending this locomotive!

This is the Whitcomb 65T and it’s LOWKEY one of the coolest locomotives I’ve seen in N-Scale.. 👀

This locomotive was the back bone of military supply lines and operations throughout different countries during WW2, and it was actually built in my home state of Illinois 😛 WOW! I love Menards and Culver’s 😃😃😃

These engines were generally preferred for temporary railroads set ups because they were compact and were low to the ground. Compared to typical overcompensation diesel engines of the US, these were a lot more useless on compact lines throughout Europe. These things genuinely got shipped around EVERYWHERE, I’ve even got one in my basement rn 😺

The N Scale model by PIKO is genuinely something else, I don’t think I’ve ever seen interior lighting in a locomotive in N scale. The illuminated number boards are also a rare touch as most of the time light in N Scale travels through small piping inside the model.

#modeltrains #modelrailroad #nscale #modellbahn by @idktrains

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4 days ago

Is the DB Class 23 the BEST German Steam Engine EVER? 🤔🇩🇪

(probably not cus the Class 01 exists lol) 🚂

The Class 23 is a steam locomotive that arrived at a unique time in German rail history. After World War II, the newly formed Deutsche Bundesbahn was tasked with phasing out their fleet of Class 38 locomotives (aka the Prussian P8). These locomotives first arrived in 1906, so by the 1950s they were largely worn out. I’ve included some footage of that locomotive at the Bochum Dahlhausen Railway Museum, a pretty cool museum! 🛤️

As a direct successor, the Class 23 featured a fully welded body with modern amenities like a boiler with a combustion chamber for faster steaming. Even though this engine was built in decent quantities, the end of steam was rapidly approaching. The last steam locomotive to enter service in West Germany was a Class 23, and this engine was retired by the mid 70s.

Let me know if I should check out more German N-Scale models!!! 😁🇩🇪

#modellbahn #modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #nscale by @idktrains

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17 days ago

Have you ever seen a model train layout like this before? 🚂🧐

One of my first videos on this account was regarding my folding model train layout and I never really provided an update on it because I got lazy and also I moved houses 😃

I used a lot of KATO Unitrack and for the buildings they were mostly Faller and Kibri, the lighting is the Just Plug system from Woodland Scenics. I might do a couple of speed builds in the future! 🏠

A lot has changed overtime with the amount of decorating people done but yeah pretty fire. I still barely have any N scale German trains to actually match the layout lmao.

What does your layout look like ??? 🧐 LET ME KNOW…

#modeltrains #nscale #modelrailway #modelrailroad #modellbahn by @idktrains

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24 days ago

Are you looking for model trains at a good price locally? 🧐

If you’re in the suburbs or planning a trip to IRM, stop by IDKTRAINS at the Huntley Fall Fest this Friday/Saturday/Sunday! 🚂

Friday: 5pm - 9pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

📍 Location: Huntley Fall Fest The Gymnasium Building

This time around I am bringing

🌍 KATO N Scale Sets from around the world
🚊 Diesel and Steam Engines (CNW, B&O, UP)
🚂 Athearn freight cars from $8 - $20!
💪 Tyco freight cars $3 each or 2 for $5
👀 NEW Retro KATO and Athearn items HO
🏠 High quality wooden buildings for HO Scale
🧍 Accessories, figures and more!

Any items that I don’t sell will be added to the online store soon! Don’t miss this out!!!

See you tomorrow/today! I am posting this late ⏰

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #nscale #hoscale by @idktrains

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24 days ago

Have you seen this British (Japanese built 🧐) train-set before? 🇬🇧

This is the Class 800 and this is a massive 9-car N Scale set from KATO!! This reminds of the days where I would get my beans and toast and throw it at pedestrians.

The Class 800, introduced as a replacement for the old HST (High-Speed Train) under the UK’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP), is a vehicle developed by Hitachi. It was manufactured at Hitachi’s Kasaoka Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Hitachi Rail UK factory based on the company’s “A-train” series concept.

This bi-mode train can operate on both electrified and non-electrified sections. The model features a 9-car set of the Class 800/3, which includes characteristics not found in the previous 5-car sets, such as an inner-frame bogie, a simpler roof design for intermediate cars, and first-class cars in the middle of the train.

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #nscale #modellbahn by @idktrains

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a month ago

Have you ever tried out Chinese model trains before? 🤯🇨🇳

The China Railways DF11 is a powerful diesel-electric passenger locomotive developed for fast, long-distance service across China. This is a pretty common locomotive from the 90s, and even though it’s not as plentiful as before it still runs on secondary lines where electric catenary poles haven’t been installed yet 🤯

Not my model but I definitely need to seek out some for myself! 🚂 gotta go doomscrolling on eBay I guess lol

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #modellbahn #chinarailway by @idktrains

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a month ago

#ad Thanks to @pikoamerica for sending over this locomotive!

A funky European Classic that operates in the US! 👀🇩🇪

The NCTD SPRINTER is a modern diesel-powered commuter service in Northern San Diego County. It connects with trains of Amtrak’s Surfliner, plus commuter services of Metrolink and the Coaster! It’s been running for almost two decades so it’s safe to say it’s been pretty successful.

This PIKO locomotive is really beautiful, I don’t really run a whole lot of local commuter railroad stuff on my layout but it was a nice change of pace. It’s sound features were the highlight for sure, there’s like a dozen station announcements you can cycle through to make stops on a layout and have realistic operations. Personally I just run it around at Shinkansen level speeds cus idk why not lol 🚄

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #modellbahn by @idktrains

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a month ago

Have you ever seen a locomotive like this before? 🚂 This is the RhB KATO crocodile in N-Scale and I’ve got a couple left on my online shop in bio if you wanna check it out 😸 The fact that this thing is so small and can run like a Swiss watch it’s super impressive and yea it was tricky to get it to the US. Let me know if you have any questions!!! thx for all the recent support it means a lot to me. 🙏 #modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #nscale #modellbahn by @idktrains

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2 months ago

Are you looking for MODEL TRAINS at a GOOD PRICE? 🤔 after like 50 years of working on it I finally opened up my new website (LINK IN BIO 😸) and I’m selling a lot of stuff! Ive got:

✨ New N-Scale Kato train sets (American, European, Japanese)
✨ Refurbished rolling stock from popular road names (hundreds of cars under $15)
✨ High quality buildings from MBZ, Faller, Kibri and more
✨ Much more on the way!

I appreciate everyone’s support, this has been a massive project but I’m happy that it’s complete! 🙏

If you’re local in Chicagoland, we can arrange local pickup to avoid shipping costs. I’ll be at the Wheaton train show on September 13th as well! 🚂

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #modellbahn #nscale by @idktrains

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2 months ago

Did Bulgy the Bus deserve that? 🤔 Personally I think he deserved worse 👍

I decided to give Hornby another chance and this is the King Class and it came in a special commutative box for the Bristolian Train. Its … it’s okay. I start mixing up these GWR locos after a while.

Check out my new site link in bio!! 😳 Expect a more proper post soon!

#modeltrains #modelrailway #modelrailroad #modellbahn #britishtrains by @idktrains

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2 months ago

#ad If you’re looking to import rare Japanese model trains or collectibles I recommend trying out #JPFans today! 🇯🇵 I’ve got an affiliate link in my bio so check it out as it helps the IDKTRAINS MISSION!! Thanks to JP Fans for sponsoring this video 😳 #modeltrains #modelrailway #shinkansen by @idktrains

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2 months ago

Have you ever been catfished by a steam locomotive 😳 This is for all the Midwesterners out there. I’ve got a couple other American locos to cover so lmk if you wanna see more!!! #modeltrains #modellbahn #modelrailway #modelrailroad #steamengine by @idktrains

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2 months ago