Atlas N Trinity 5660 covered hopper

Color photo showing middle portion of N scale pressure differential covered hopper painted gray with ConAgra Mills lettering and logo on white background.

Atlas N Trinity 5660 covered hopper Scale: N (1:160) Price: $47.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N Trinity 5660 covered hopper features: 36” metal wheelsets Body-mounted magnetic knuckle couplers Etched-metal running boards Freestanding air hoses with angle cock detail and silver glad hands Injection-molded plastic construction […]

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Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola

Color photo showing B end of HO scale bathtub gondola painted faded black with simulated scrap metal load and red, white, blue, and yellow graphics on white background.

Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $36.99 to $41.99; three-pack, $99.99 to $114.99 Era: 1977+ to 2020+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car

Color photo showing B end of HO scale tank car painted black with white graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Era: 1970s+ to 1990+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car features: 70- or 100-ton screw-mounted, roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps Based on 20,000-gallon prototype Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf […]

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Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge

Color photo showing end of N scale flat-side Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge painted aluminum, red, white, and blue on white background.

Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge Scale: N (1:160) Price: $89.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge features: Body-mounted magnetic knuckle couplers Designed from original blueprints and field measurements of existing cars End doors with porthole windows Flicker-free, track-powered lighting (compatible with […]

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Must-have products for a Burlington Northern layout

Color photo showing front of HO scale diesel painted yellow and black with red, white, and black graphics on scenic base with sky backdrop.

The Burlington Northern RR began operations in March 1970, the product of a merger between the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Great Northern; Northern Pacific; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle. It was also the railroad I grew up with in Crookston, Minn., my hometown in northwest Minnesota. For many years, I’ve been researching the early years […]

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Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale Airslide covered hopper painted two-tone blue with blue, yellow, black, and white graphics on white background

Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59 Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO GATX 4180 Airslide covered hopper features: Based on 1967-1968 design Blackened, machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Factory-installed air hoses and roof hatches Freestanding brake system casting with […]

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ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale four-bay covered hopper painted light gray with black, white, and yellow graphics on medium gray background

ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO Pullman-Standard 5820 covered hopper features: 36” machined metal wheelsets with .110” wide wheel tread Body-mounted, die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Early body with peaked roof or late body […]

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Athearn HO wood-chip hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale wood-chip hopper painted mineral red with white and black graphics on white background

Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]

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Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale three-bay covered hopper painted Mineral Red with white, black, and yellow graphics

Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59 Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper features: Based on phase 2 prototype with 10 body panels and 17 running board supports Blackened machined metal wheelsets Body-mounted plastic E-Z Mate Mark II […]

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Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van

Color photo of HO scale caboose painted red and black with white graphics on white background.

Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $129.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van features: Clear window glazing Detailed, multi-color interior Detailed underbody with separate air and brake piping End details, including air hoses and uncoupling levers Factory-installed and […]

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Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale three-bay offset-side hopper painted red with white graphics on white background

Athearn HO Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $37.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry scale plastic couplers with factory-installed trip pin Factory-applied wire grab irons, stirrup steps, end braces, and brake platform […]

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Working with 3D-printed parts

Color photo showing HO scale 3D printed truck bed attached to the support structure on white background. A metal sprue cutter is also visible in the image.

Q: I’m excited by all the new 3D-printed figures and details that have become available. Lately, however, I’ve received some figures that are still attached to the support structure. I work in HO scale, and I’m not sure how to safely remove all this material without damaging the details or figures. Do you have any […]

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