News & Products for the week of January 20th 2026
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 20th, 2026.
HO scale locomotives
Athearn Genesis Electro-Motive Division FP7 diesel locomotive
Price: Direct-current model, $269.99; with DCC and sound, $369.99
Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division FP7 features include:
- Factory-applied photo-etched metal and injection-molded detail parts
- Detailed fuel tank with fillers, gauges, breather pipes, and retention tanks
- See-through cab windows and full cab interior
- Etched-metal fan grills
- Detailed Blomberg-B trucks with prototype-specific wheel bearings
- Minimum radius, 18″; recommended radius, 22″
Release date: June 2027
Road names: Atlanta & West Point, CP Rail, Georgia RR, Louisville & Nashville, Reading Co. (early 1960s+ and 2010s+), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, VIA Rail, and Western Railway of Alabama. One to three road numbers per scheme.
WalthersProto Electro-Motive Division SD70-series diesel locomotives
Price: Direct-current model, $179.98 to $189.98; with ESU DCC and Sound, $239.98 to $249.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Electro-Motive Division SD70-series features include:
- Prototype-specific details
- RP-25 contour metal wheels
- Proto-Max metal knuckle couplers
- Die-cast metal chassis
- Machined brass flywheels
- Factory-installed 28mm speaker in DC and DCC models
Release date: Fall 2026
Road names: SD75I — BNSF Ry. SD70M — EMD Leasing, Lake State Ry. (America Semiquincentennial and Pere Marquette heritage schemes), Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific (Abraham Lincoln and Amour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray with lightning stripe). SD70 — Conrail (“Quality” scheme), Illinois Central, and Norfolk Southern. One to four road numbers per paint scheme.
HO scale rolling stock
English’s Model Railroad 70-ton two-bay ballast car
Price: $24.95
Manufacturer: Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 1302 Jordan Ave., Montoursville, PA 17754; 570-368-2379; bowser-trains.com
70-ton two-bay ballast car features include:
- Kit includes Accurail wheels and Kadee metal couplers
Release date: Available now
Road names: CSX, Conrail (gray and yellow schemes), Lycoming Valley (gray Conrail patchout), and Penn Central. Three road numbers per scheme. Also available painted gray with data only (open side and closed side) and undecorated (open side, closed side, and without center exterior post).
HO scale train sets
Rapido Train of Tomorrow set
Price: Direct-current set, $849.95; with DCC and sound, $959.95
Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com
Train of Tomorrow features include:
- Set includes Electro-Motive Division E7A locomotive, dome coach Star Dust, dome sleeper Dream Cloud, dome diner Sky View, and dome lounge/observation Moon Glow
- Passenger cars feature detailed, illuminated interiors; separate grab irons; underbody details; 41-BNO-11 trucks with blackened metal wheels; and operating diaphragms with end gate
- Minimum radius, 22″ (18″ radius with modification)
- Set includes “Train of Tomorrow” wine tumbler glasses and other memorabilia
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Train of Tomorrow and Union Pacific City of Seattle.
N scale locomotives
Kato Pennsylvania RR GG1
Price: Direct-current model, $160; with DCC and sound, $260
Manufacturer: Kato USA Inc., 100 Remington Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; 847-781-9500; katousa.com
Pennsylvania RR GG1 features include:
- Blackened metal pantographs
- Illuminated, directional class lights, headlights, and number boxes
- Shock absorber construction provides even traction and performance
- Mechanism compatible with Digitrax DN163K1D and Train Control Systems K1D4-NC decoders
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Amtrak (Phase 1) and Conrail (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme).
N scale details and accessories
Silver Spike Designs 1960s tamper
Price: $28
Manufacturer: Silver Spike Designs, silverspikedesigns.com
1960s tamper features:
- Resin 3D-printed kit with one-piece body, one-piece roof, wheels, and multiple accessory components
- Paint and decals not included
- Also available in HO ($59) and O ($110) scales
Release date: Available now
Rail Scale Models traveling gantry crane
Price: $19.50
Manufacturer: Rail Scale Models, 514 Angel’s Way Lane, Horse Shoe NC 28742; 248-421-6276; rail-scale-models.com
Traveling gantry crane features include:
- Includes 3D-printed components for trolleys and hoist that integrate with styrene shapes
- Evergreen styrene I-beam and angle iron
- Also includes three assembly jigs sized for 16-, 20-, and 24-foot-wide span of the structure; length and height are customizable
- Figures, vehicles, scenery, track, and diorama construction materials shown in photo not included
- Pilot model shown. Production models may vary slightly.
Release date: Available now
News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more. Model railroad product news may include HO, N, O, S, and Z scales. Product release dates and prices will vary according to each manufacturer. If you are a manufacturer and have new product releases, please e-mail Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cody.grivno@firecrown.com.
