New York Central Train Layout: 9/11 25th Anniversary HO Scale Train Tribute

Friday, September 11, 2026

9/11 25th Anniversary HO Scale Train Tribute

Greetings All,

9/11 25th Anniversary HO Scale Train Tribute

For those that were too young to remember or have chosen to forget Tuesday September 11, 2001 started out as a beautiful day in the northeast portion of the United States. It would soon be shattered by an unprecedented series of four terrorist attacks using hi-jacked commercial airliners. The death tolls were staggering, the damage done incomprehensible, the amount of lives touched throughout our country and the world astronomical.

Rescue and recovery operations in lower Manhattan and at the Staten Island Landfill where what was left of the World Trade Center was carted for the NYPD to search for the remains of those who perished that were not recovered at what became know as Ground Zero.

Having been a sworn member of the NYPD and a first responder to both sites many, many times I usually choose to have a private moment of reflection on this day. What many don't realize is that the death toll did not end on September 11th, 2001.

The number of first responder casualties has grown and grown over the years from cancers caused by the breathing in of the huge dust clouds that hovered over Manhattan and working at the Landfill which had been shut down prior to 9/11.

It has been said that model railroading is good for the soul and I have to agree with that assessment. For this date lives on in my psyche and for the 25th anniversary I chose to honor the fallen by recapping and running some of the special commemorative locomotives in my fleet.

The Locomotives

I first saw the New York & Atlantic #271 at Fresh Pond Junction probably in early 2002. They hired John Magee, a local artist who paints cars and buses, according to Fred L Krebs president & COO of the NY&A in the June 2002 Trains Magazine to clear up some confusion on the mural. This 271 and 261 are Athearn BB models that I originally saw in Mr. Krebs office. Gotta have those!

Scale Trains #911 "Honoring Our First Responders" and #3194 "Honoring Our Law Enforcement" were introduced in 2021 as part of their "Pride in Service" fleet of General Electric ES44AC locomotives.

Trainmen and railfans pay their respects for the 343 Firefighters that were killed at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan during rescue operations.

The local Fire Department pays their respects.

Engine hostler Wet Willie gets another atta boy for placing both the 911 and 3194 in engine terminal track #1 that is adjacent to the public street for ease of viewing and photography.

The NYPD has turned out to pay their respects for the 23 New York Police Department officers and 37 NY-NJ Port Authority Police Department officers that perished during rescue operations at the World Trade Center.