2025 marked another great year for new releases in model railroading. Whatever your scale or discipline in the hobby, odds are good that there was a new release that caught your eye and had you reaching for your wallet. As we look forward to 2026, Eric White, Cody Grivno, Lucas Iverson, and David Popp take a look back at some Model Railroader’s favorite products of 2025.
Sunset Models 3rd Rail Siemens Charger diesel locomotive
From the moment Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and I unboxed this O scale, 3-rail model in the striking Amtrak Midwest scheme, I knew I was in for a treat for the eventual review — this coming from a fan of historic steam and vintage diesels. The Sunset Models 3rd Rail Siemens Charger diesel locomotive took my breath away with its level of details across the ABS body, a standard we’ve come to expect from Sunset Models, known for their high-end brass locomotives. While certain light features operate differently than intended (a design choice due to constraints of Lionel’s TMCC system during development), this doesn’t hinder its performance. It’s a solid model, and being well below $1,000, it offers excellent value, especially with a recently announced second run expected to bring further improvements, which has caught my interest. – Lucas Iverson, assistant digital editor
ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division SD38-2 diesel locomotive
It was extremely hard to pick just one favorite item for 2025. Why? Several models well-suited for re-creating my hometown (Crookston, Minn.) came out this year. The Atlas Classic HO EMD GP7 was released as Burlington Northern 1538 and 1554, both regular visitors to good ol’ C-town in the early 1970s, my primary modeling interest. However, ScaleTrains hit me with a one-two punch that has me seriously considering modeling the early 1990s BN. First, the company released the BN GP39E, including No. 2762, which spent time as the local switcher in town. Then the manufacturer followed up with my favorite product of 2025, the EMD SD38-2 — specifically models decorated for GATX. The former Reserve Mining units, numbered 1237 through 1245, were regular power on freight trains between Grand Forks, N.D., and Superior, Wis. The full-size units were loud — I could usually hear if they were in a consist well before I actually saw the train! I especially appreciated that ScaleTrains is offering the GATX units with maroon and white patches on the long hood, both in multiple road numbers. — Cody Grivno, senior editor
Rapido Fairbanks-Morse H 16-44 diesel locomotive
2025 saw the release the Rapido Trains HO scale Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 phase III locomotives, and I couldn’t be happier. After all, they released the locomotive in two of my favorite flavors of railroad paint schemes, Milwaukee Road and New Haven. The models were made starting with a 3D scan of the last remaining Canadian Pacific H16-44 to get the curvatures correct. The models are loaded with great features, including very delicate engine compartment door handles. The DCC sound equipped units have built in capacitors for smooth running over suspect track. Earlier in 2025, I put my Milwaukee Road unit through its paces on Gerry Leone’s multideck layout, and enjoyed the model’s operating characteristics immensely! Click here to read a review of Rapido’s model on Trains.com. – David Popp, director, Trains.com
Rapido General Electric 44-tonner
Every year there’s new stuff coming out, and it’s often hard to keep track of what’s coming out when. Like many modelers, I get excited when new products that will help me model my favorite railroads come out. One such model in 2025 was Rapido’s General Electric 44-tonner. This is the perfect locomotive for my HO scale Pennsylvania RR Washington Avenue Branch when it first dieselized. I’ve been working on a brass PRR class A5 0-4-0 shifter, but it’s a long project to get it where I want it. The Rapido 44-tonner looks and runs great right out of the box! Since it would be new in my era, I just need to add a bit of dust to the running gear and it will be ready to go. Small locomotives such as this are great for small railroads, like my shelf switching layout. Having one that runs and sounds as good as this is a real treat. – Eric White, editor
