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Trains.com sits down with Third & Townsend Models President Jay Escamilla on October 15, 2025, to discuss the recent amalgamation of Sunset Models, 3rd Rail, and Golden Gate Depot brands, and what it means for modelers. Jay details the companies’ commitment to producing the most prototypically accurate O (1:48) and HO (1:87.1) scale models in […]
The Atlas O Fall 2025 Premier catalog was recently published on the manufacturer’s website. Highlights include: New locomotives GP30 The locomotive includes Proto-Sound 3.0, onboard DCC/DCS decoder, detachable snowplow, O-42 operation, and road-specific ditch lights. Available roadnames: BNSF; NKP; Indiana & Ohio; Norfolk & Western; Raritan Central. Available in 3-rail version only. Price: $729.95. New […]
A newly tooled Electro-Motive Division GP40 recently joined the Rapido Trains HO scale diesel locomotive lineup. The four-axle road unit has an injection-molded plastic body, metal side handrails with plastic stanchions, and body-mounted metal couplers. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP40 from November 1965 until December 1971. During the course of the production run, […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill prohibiting state agencies from reselling or otherwise transferring older diesel-powered rail equipment after it has been decommissioned by a public agency. SB 30 was introduced last December by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) in response to Caltrain’s sale of retired equipment for […]
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 […]
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 […]
WILMINGTON, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line has entered into an agreement with Michigan-based startup Remora, which is developing carbon capture technology for freight rail and trucking. The railroad, which serves the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is also an investor in Remora, and Peter Gilbertson, CEO of PHL’s parent company, Anacostia Rail Holdings, […]
Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speakers, $199.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder and MoPower capacitor system, $309.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO General Electric 44-ton diesel features: Coreless motor with dual flywheels Direct-current models have factory-installed speakers […]
Scenery is in full swing on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! In this episode, both Cody Grivno and David Popp get deep into the effort of framing up the farm scene, developing the depot area, adding weathering effects to bridge abutments, and more! Be sure to keep up with the […]
Tour the Pennsylvania & Western RR, Bob Bartizek’s impressive O scale (1:48, 3-rail) model railroad representing a fictional subdivision of the Pennsylvania RR in western Pennsylvania between 1949 and 1953. Though it uses 3-rail power and GarGraves Phantom-line O gauge track with a black center rail, the locomotives and rolling stock are all built to […]
ScaleTrains HO EMD SD40-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $214.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, two cube-type speakers, and ESU designed PowerPack with two super capacitors, $324.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO EMD SD40-2 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Factory-applied […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern marked a major milestone last month when AC44C6M No. 4947 rolled out of the Juniata Locomotive Shop as the 1,000th unit modernized through its long-running DC-to-AC conversion program. The program, which began in 2015, completely rebuilds General Electric Dash-9 units and creates a more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more reliable […]
