For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 20th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest hobby news by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates.
Hobbyshop Window for February 20th 2026
HO scale Electro-Motive Division FP7 and F7B diesel locomotives. Milwaukee Road (FP7 and F7B), Amtrak (FP7 and F7B), Canadian Pacific (FP7), Chicago & Eastern Illinois (FP7), Conrail (FP7), Electro-Motive Division demonstrator (FP7 and F7B), and Southern Ry. (FP7) are the paint schemes on these Athearn Genesis models. The HO scale diesels have prototype-specific details, wire grab irons, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current models with a 21-pin NEM connector are priced between $249.99 and $269.99 (single units) and $449.99 and $469.99 (two-unit sets). The price range for units equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder is $349.99 to $369.99 (single units) and $649.99 to $669.99 (two-unit sets). Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale Rapido Trains anniversary cars. To commemorate its 20th anniversary, Rapido Trains has released 4-section, 8-duplex-roomette, 4-double-bedroom lightweight duplex sleeper Edmundston and 10-roomette, 5-double-bedroom sleeper Northern Spirit. The HO scale models, part of the Super Continental Line, feature improved design and assembly to prevent warping, tighter connections between the body and roof, redesigned trucks, new couplers, track-powered interior lighting with capacitor controlled by a Rapido Lighter, and a detailed interior and underbody. The models are available from the manufacturer and are priced at $49.95 each. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale New Look Transit “Fishbowl” bus. Rapido Trains offers this model decorated for Metropolitan Transportation Authority (two-tone blue [with and without ads] and Blitz Rebuilds), AC Transit, Chicago Transit Authority, Long Island Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, Miami-Dade MTA, Ottawa Transportation Commission, Philadelphia (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, early and late schemes), Southern California Rapid Transit District, and Toronto Transit Commission (early, CLRV, late, and as-preserved schemes). The HO scale transit bus is also available painted silver and white but unlettered. Product features include a full interior with separate bench seats and grooved flooring; positionable front wheels; and working headlights, taillights, and interior lights (requires 9-12 volt power supply, not included). The buses are priced between $74.95 and $84.95. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale 52-foot mill gondola. This upgraded model from Athearn is decorated for Grand Trunk Western, Burlington Northern, CP Rail, Delaware & Hudson, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and National Railways of Mexico. The HO scale gondola, offered in five road numbers per scheme (two single cars and one three-pack), has improved rivet and bolt detail, corrected wire grab iron placements, new top chord and jack reinforcement pad details, and new uncoupling lever mounting details. Additional features include screw-mounted, roller-bearing trucks; 33” nickel silver wheelsets with RP-25 contours; and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Single cars have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $34.99. Three-packs list for $84.99. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale Union Pacific business car No. 101. This car from Broadway Limited Imports is lettered as Lincoln (Big Boy Tour drumhead, 2020-present appearance with UP shield on rear platform, and yellow Building America drumhead) and Lone Star (2001-2017 appearance with UP shield on rear platform, blue 150 Years drumhead, and black Building America drumhead). The model, which has an 18” minimum operating radius, is also available painted primer gray with black trucks and underbody. Features on the HO scale business car include an illuminated, prototype-specific interior; factory-installed handrails and rooftop details; light-emitting-diode ditch lights, marker lights, and taillights; and an illuminated drumhead (where applicable). Union Pacific business car No. 101 sells for $129.99. Broadway Limited Imports, 386-673-8900, broadway-limited.com
Hobbyshop Window is an occasional feature on Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to see the latest arrivals from the industry’s leading companies. If you’re a manufacturer and would like to have your items featured in Hobbyshop Window, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cody.grivno@firecrown.com.
