Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale (1:87.1) EMD FP45 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the FP45, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from 1967 through 1968, resulting in 14 units built for the Santa Fe and Milwaukee Road. The […]

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Cody’s Office | October 2025

Welcome back to Cody’s Office! This month’s episode is packed with three new products, a helpful modeling tip, and answers to your viewer mail questions. Our featured products include the N scale Electro-Motive Division SD35 diesel locomotive from Atlas Model Railroad Co.; an HO scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel switcher from the WalthersProto series; and a […]

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WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 diesel locomotive

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a deep dive into the WalthersProto HO scale (1:87.1) EMD NW2 diesel locomotive. Cody starts with the prototype history of the NW2, which was produced by the Electro-Motive Division from February 1939 through December 1949. The review sample is decorated as Union Pacific […]

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Tips for restoring a vintage toy train

Join Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as they share essential tips for restoring a vintage toy train. They address a viewer’s request for help with his father’s old Ives train set, which is in poor condition with bent metal, rust, and poor paint. Their discussion covers key […]

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Rapido Trains HO EMD GP40

A Rapido Trains HO scale  (1:87.1) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP40 diesel locomotive arrives in Model Railroader magazine’s workshop for review and testing! With cameras rolling, Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a close look at the real-life EMD GP40, including the history of Western Pacific no. 3511, built by EMD in April 1967. The model features […]

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Atlas Trainman HO EMD GP38-2

Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the new Atlas Trainman HO Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP38-2 diesel locomotive. First, you’ll learn new insights about full-size EMD GP38-2 units, and specifics details about Helm Leasing no. 3805, which was originally built as Texas Mexican Railway no. 866. Then, as possible only through video demonstration, Cody highlights the model’s […]

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Cody’s Office | September 2025

Football is getting underway, pumpkin spice everything is showing up on store shelves, and the thermometer has given a few hints that autumn is just around the corner. Of course, that means we’re heading into peak model railroading season. In the September 2025 episode of Cody’s Office, we feature three new products, a modeling tip, […]

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Rapido HO TurboTrain 2.0

We’re changing things up for our latest product review video. Trains.com Director David Popp took the Rapido HO TurboTrain 2.0 on the road to run on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista RR. Learn more about the full-size United Aircraft TurboTrain and our review sample, decorated in early Amtrak colors. Then watch the five-car train pass through […]

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Rapido Trains HO Fairbanks-Morse H16-44

Color image of HO scale diesel painted orange and black on scenicked model railroad with blue and white title bar in lower left corner.

The Rapido Trains HO Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the full-size unit and Milwaukee Road No. 435; points out the plastic, cast metal, and etched-metal detail parts on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on our […]

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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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ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, yellow, and gray with black trucks and fuel tank on scenicked HO scale layout. Title for video is shown in lower left corner.

The ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M, a modern six-axle road locomotive, is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the full-size units and Norfolk Southern No. 4000; shows the many separate, factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L

Title screen from product review video with HO scale diesel painted orange, black, and yellow on scenicked layout with title bar in lower left corner.

The Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L diesel locomotive, based on a prototype built by General Motors Diesel Division, recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Quebec-Gatineau Ry. No. 3014; points out the many factory-applied details; and demonstrates the sound […]

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