Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound

Color photo showing nose of N scale diesel painted scarlet and gray on white background.

Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $144.95; with ESU sound decoder, $254.95. Subtract $10 for undecorated models. Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Clear window glazing Factory-applied air horn […]

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Modern Rocky Mountain railroading – Colorado style

Multiple model freight trains are led by yellow and gray model locomotives in a rural industrial setting

The thunder of modern motive power and the rumble of long trains rolling through Colorado’s Rocky Mountain passes caught Bill Becker’s imagination years ago, and it remains the theme of his fictional N scale Colorado & Eastern RR. Working in this small scale makes it possible to capture the majesty of the Rocky Mountains with […]

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The N Scale Architect interlocking tower

Color photo of N scale interlocking tower painted gray, green, and brown with track in foreground.

The N Scale Architect interlocking tower Scale: N (1:160) Price: $59.95 Manufacturer: The N Scale Architect, 4063 County Highway 2, DeLancey, NY 13752; thenarch.com The N Scale Architect interlocking tower features: Based on Kansas City Terminal Ry. Tower No. 2 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kit depicts tower before it was modified with two brick additions […]

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Must-have common products for a Santa Fe layout

A red-and-silver Santa Fe diesel locomotive leads a train paused at a southern California city.

From its 1859 charter to the 1995 merger into BNSF Railway, the history and size of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway made it a powerhouse in Class I railroading. Because of its overall popularity, modelers will find it easy to source the necessary materials to create a stunning representation of the iconic railroad. […]

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Atlas N scale EMD SD35

Color photo showing cab and short hood of N scale diesel painted blue and black on white background.

Atlas N scale EMD SD35 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $134.95; with ESU sound decoder, $249.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N scale EMD SD35 features: Blackened metal wheels Body-mounted Accumate couplers Clear window glazing Directional, golden white light-emitting diode lighting Factory-painted […]

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Understanding N scale couplers

Color photo of N scale freight car truck with Micro-Trains Line Co. Magne-Matic knuckle coupler

Q: I have gone to train shows and garage sales and bought many N scale cars with all sorts of different couplers. I am trying to create my own standard and stick with the majority of people with N scale rolling stock. I know there are many vendors out there. Can you help me sort […]

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Athearn N scale acid tank car

Color photo showing brake end of N scale tank car painted black with yellow and white graphics on white background.

A 13,600-gallon sulfuric acid tank car is now part of the N scale Athearn Genesis line. The newly tooled model, based on a Union Tank Car Co. prototype, features a plastic body; many separate, factory-applied details; and body-mounted McHenry double-shelf couplers, available for the first time in 1:160. Prototype history Athearn offers the sulfuric acid […]

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Atlas N ACF Precision Design boxcar

Color photo of N scale boxcar painted dark blue with aluminum roof and red and white graphics on white background

Atlas N ACF Precision Design boxcar Scale: N (1:160) Price: $30.95 (undecorated, $23.95) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N ACF Precision Design boxcar features: Diagonal-panel roof Die-cast metal underframe Factory-applied end ladders, crossover handrails, and brake wheel Pin-mounted roller-bearing trucks Plastic wheelsets See-through plastic crossover platforms […]

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Cody’s Office | August 2025

Image of man with brown hair, glasses, and gray shirt holding a book with two model trains in foreground and HO scale layout in background.

Welcome to the August 2025 Cody’s Office! Perhaps we should have called this the Consolidation episode, as we’re on program number 2-8-0. This month the show starts with an exciting lineup of products. First up is the HO scale Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 from Rapido Trains. Features on the four-axle road unit include an injection-molded plastic body, […]

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Cody’s Office | August 2025

Image of man with brown hair, glasses, and gray shirt holding a book with two model trains in foreground and HO scale layout in background.

Welcome to the August 2025 Cody’s Office! Perhaps we should have called this the Consolidation episode as we’re on program number 2-8-0. This month the show starts with an exciting lineup of products. First up is the HO scale Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 from Rapido Trains. Features on the four-axle road unit include an injection-molded plastic body, […]

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Powering N scale turnout frogs

Color photo of slide switch wired for use as a turnout controller.

Q: I’m researching methods to power turnout frogs on my N scale layout. I’m using Atlas code 55 flextrack and Digital Command Control. The majority of turnouts will have manual throws. I’ve read that electronic frog juicers should be used judiciously as they place a continuous load on the power supply. I think single-pole double-throw […]

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