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 6th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest hobby news by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates.
Hobbyshop Window for February 6th 2026
HO scale Electro-Motive Division F-series diesel locomotives. Athearn has added a colorful assortment of cab units to its Genesis series. Road names on the HO scale diesels include Monon (F3A); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (F7A and F7B); Atlantic Coast Line (F7A and F3B); Charleston & Western Carolina (F7A); Chicago & North Western (F3A and F3B); Pennsylvania RR (F3A, F5A, and F5B); Southern Pacific (F3A and F3B); and Wabash (F7A). Product features include prototype-specific details, light-emitting-diode lighting, and wire grab irons. Direct-current models with a 21-pin NEM connector are priced at $219.99 (single) and $439.99 (two-pack). Models with a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder list for $319.99 (single) and $619.99 (two-pack). Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale 50-foot express boxcar. This WalthersProto model, based on a converted troop car, is offered in three body styles. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy troop kitchen conversions are decorated for CB&Q, Alaska RR, Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Missouri Pacific, Monon, and maintenance of way. New York Central troop sleeper conversions are lettered for Alaska RR; Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; Erie; New York Central; Rock Island; and St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco). Chesapeake & Ohio troop kitchen conversions are painted for Baltimore & Ohio (blue and green schemes), Boston & Maine, C&O (green and tri-color schemes), and maintenance of way. All three body styles are available undecorated. The HO scale model, priced at $59.98, has factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, high-speed passenger-style trucks, and Proto-Max metal couplers. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
N scale 14-section heavyweight sleeper. RailSmith Models has released this newly-tooled car for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe’s name train the Scout. The N scale sleeper, the manufacturer’s first heavyweight-style car, is based on Pullman plan 3958 and features a detailed interior; separate, factory-applied Scout plaques; screw-mounted three-axle trucks; metal wheelsets; molded underbody details; clear window glazing; and truck-mounted Accumate couplers. The ready-to-run car is sold in a two-pack for $129. RailSmith Models, lowellsmith.net/railsmith/
HO scale Ortner 5-bay rapid discharge hopper. Athearn offers this newly-retooled model decorated for South Mississippi Electric Power, Colorado & Wyoming, ITEL Corp., South Kansas & Oklahoma, Union Pacific, and U.S. Steel Cumberland Mine. The HO scale model, offered in 16 numbers per scheme (three five-packs and one single car), has a newly-tooled injection-molded plastic body; wire grab irons; a re-shaped weight; and a see-through, etched-metal brake platform. Single cars are priced at $47.99 and five-packs retail for $214.99. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Alco Locomotives Volume 3: General Products Catalog. This 72-page softcover book is the latest addition to the Manufacturers’ Archive Series from SilverLake Images LLC. The reproduction Alco catalog includes information on parts for locomotives (trucks, fire doors, valves, and other fittings), three-cylinder locomotives, and rotary snow plows, among other items. In addition, the book includes a look at McIntosh & Seymour Corp. diesel locomotives, Heat Transfer Products Inc., and Ames Pump Co. The book is priced at $35. Published by SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.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.
