Q: I’m getting back into model railroading after a 50 year hiatus. I’m having trouble with knuckle couplers that won’t connect. I have new rolling stock from Athearn, Walthers, ScaleTrains, and Accurail. I also have several cars that I converted to Kadee. Couplers from different manufacturers don’t seem to work together. Are there any combinations […]
Back for more on the East Troy! This episode drills into the details that help bring a layout to life. Watch as the Trains.com crew populates the roads with weathered vehicles and hand-painted signs. They also enhance the depot using prototype-inspired heralds and a unique historical marker crafted from railroad track. Finally, you’ll see how […]
News & Products for the week of January 26th 2026 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 26th 2026. […]
Athearn HO FMC 5347 offset double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.99 to $44.99 Era: 1979+ to 2010+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO FMC 5347 offset double-door boxcar features: 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry scale couplers with screw-mounted […]
Wm K. Walthers Inc., the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based hobby manufacturer and distributor, has announced it will not publish its annual reference book in 2026, marking a shift for the nearly century-old company. In a statement to customers, Walthers acknowledged the importance the printed reference book has held for hobbyists over the years. “For many years, the […]
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With the general speed-up of passenger train schedules in the 1920s, the need arose for a more powerful version of the 4-8-2. Although it had adequate adhesion, the 4-8-2 lacked the raw horsepower to accelerate a heavy train coming out of a sag or after rounding a curve. Lima Locomotive Works had shown the world […]
The Broadway Limited Imports EMD SD45 HO scale diesel locomotive is the featured model in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which represents the production of 3,600-horsepower prototypes built between 1965 and 1971. The reviewed model is decorated as Great Northern no. 424. This unit […]
News & Products for the week of January 20th 2026 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 20th, 2026. […]
Welcome back to the East Troy Industrial Park—this episode focuses on station scenery and track maintenance. Watch as we repair an overlooked gap in the rails using a custom-filed piece of track and soldering techniques. Then, follow the construction of a museum depot platform using stained strip wood and styrene. Finally, see how we prep […]
Most modelers can pinpoint the photos, people, events, books, or stories that inspired them to build their model railroads. For me, I can honestly say that my N scale Naugatuck Valley RR started with a lone boxcar – a Micro Trains 40-foot single-door boxcar decorated in New Haven black and orange. I got the car […]
In the 1890s, the Gotthard Railway in Switzerland operated the first Mallet locomotives. They were compound articulated locomotives developed by, and named for, Swiss engineer Anatole Mallet. A Mallet locomotive has two engines, which are independently mounted on an articulated frame. A high-pressure engine is located at the rear. Steam exhausted from it is conveyed […]
