February 2023

February Trains cover photo

In every issue News p. 4 Amtrak reaches a deal on the Gulf Coast, and Canadian Pacific’s hydrogen locomotive makes its first run Preservation p. 40 Five days after collision, Strasburg No. 475 returns Train-Watching p. 44 Hot spot: Unusual diamond arrangement adds railfan interest in Muncie, Ind. Ask Trains p. 46 EMD’s shortlived BL2 […]

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February 2023

The February cover for Model Railroader magazine

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Creating and sharing expertise NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 How do I build a layout swing gate? RAILWAY POST OFFICE, pg. 22 letters from our readers STEP BY STEP, pg. […]

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January 2023

January 2023 Trains Magazine cover

In every issue News p. 4 The fate of the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger now rests with the regulators Preservation p. 42 The last Alaska Railroad steam engine celebrates a restoration milestone Train-Watching p. 46 Hot spot: Neenah, Wis., where access and variety add up to great train-watching Ask Trains p. 48 What […]

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August 2025

The August 2025 cover of Trains Magazine

In every issue News, p. 4 Class I railroads take a fresh look at mergers, and Amtrak cuts management jobs Bill Stephens, p. 10 How do railroads get into our blood? Preservation, p. 46 Mt. Rainier Scenic copes after a devastating fire, and the T1 Trust project has a new home Brian Solomon, p. 48 […]

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January 2023

A black and red locomotive runs through a forested section of track against a blue background

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Extra how-to from the how-to magazine NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 Questions on decorating B&O diesels STEP BY STEP, pg. 22 How to model fir trees DCC CURRENTS, pg. 60 […]

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Great Model Railroads 2023

The cover of Great Model Railroads 2023

PLUS Celebrating the CP’s centennial The freelanced HO scale Strathcona Division models the Canadian Pacific in British Columbia Modeling C&O’s Kanawha Sub Coal is king on this HO scale Appalachian layout Time well spent An O gauge modeler replaces his three-rail layout with a 1:48 scale granger road New England memories A new version of […]

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How to Model Locomotives

The cover of How to Model Locomotives

PLUS Motivation for motive power Introduction Sound for legacy locomotives – F units A little soldering goes a long way How to detail, paint, and decal a locomotive Give a road switcher a new look How diesel facilities work A lot of work goes on behind the scenes between road trips Speed matching for DCC […]

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December 2022

orange locomotive on railroad with sun

In every issue News p. 4 Latest in rail labor dispute, Q&A with CSX’s newly appointed president, and California buys hydrogen-powered trainsets for Amtrak Preservation p. 42 UP’s 2-10-2 No. 5511 moves for the first time in 50 years Train-Watching p. 46 Short line: Beautiful New England scenes along the Massachusetts Coastal RR […]

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December 2022

Cover of Model Railroader Magazine with steam engine going over bridge

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 When is your realism level good enough? NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 Speed matching DCC locomotives for better consisting STEP BY STEP, pg. 24 How to weather a modern […]

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