Rapido Trains HO RS18u diesel locomotive

Color photo of HO locomotive painted red with black-and-white graphics.

Do you have a soft spot for railroad-rebuilt diesel locomotives? Then you’ll want to check out the HO scale Canadian Pacific RS18u from Rapido Trains. The model, designed from field measurements and a 3-D scan of a full-size engine, is offered in a variety of paint schemes from 1980 to the present. The prototype In […]

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Athearn HO scale GE AC4400CW

Image capture of title screen from Product Review video.

Model Railroader was among a handful of outlets to receive a review sample of the Athearn HO scale GE AC4400CW diesel locomotive. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Chicago & North Western No. 8801, points out the many prototype-specific details on the six-axle road locomotive, and demonstrates some of […]

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Fox Valley Models HO 55-ton hopper

Color image of three HO scale hopper cars.

Fox Valley Models, a ScaleTrains company, has released an HO scale 55-ton two-bay hopper. The model, based on a United States Railroad Administration (USRA) prototype, features plastic and die-cast metal construction, 33” metal wheelsets, and semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers. Prototype information With railroads facing equipment shortages during World War I, the USRA designed five […]

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Atlas O Premier ES44AC

side view of orange model train

The Canadian Pacific ES44AC graced the cover of the Atlas Fall Premier catalog and was delivered in March of 2024. Atlas cataloged eight versions of the ES44AC, along with two CSX ES44CD models. These Premier models are former MTH tooling and feature DCS Protosound 3. They can be operated conventionally, as well. Atlas also offers […]

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Atlas N scale Fairbanks-Morse Train Master

Title screen of Product Review video with N scale locomotive painted gray, maroon, and yellow.

The Atlas N scale Fairbanks-Morse Train Master, a part of the Master Line since 2000, is the subject of our latest Product Review video. Senior Editor Cody Grivno kicks things off by sharing a brief history of Erie-Lackawanna H24-66 No. 1854. Then he points features on the injection-molded plastic shell and demonstrates some of the […]

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Aurora Miniatures HO National Steel Car gondola

Color photo of HO scale gondola painted black with yellow, red, and white graphics.

The Aurora Miniatures HO National Steel Car gondola is the latest North American freight car in the manufacturer’s product lineup. The newly tooled car, available for the first time as a mass-produced model, was designed using a variety of prototype resources. The prototype The sample we received is decorated as GNTX 295512, part of TTX’s […]

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Schomberg Scale Structures Locomotive Tender Tank Kit

tender tank on layout

When it comes to detail parts, often we find ourselves sourcing the same buildings, fences, or houses. If you’re not confident in your model building skills developing a unique scene without premade structures can be a challenge. Recently, Mr. Muffin’s Trains (Atlanta, Ind.) has started selling Schomberg Scale Structure kits, formerly sold under the Schomberg […]

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Athearn HO General Electric AC4400CW

Color photo of HO scale Athearn HO General Electric AC4400CW on scenic base.

A General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive has joined the Athearn Genesis lineup. And no, this isn’t just an upgraded version of the “blue box” kit from the 1990s. The newly tooled six-axle road locomotive is offered with railroad-specific details, a full cab interior, and light-emitting-diode lighting, among other features. The prototype The sample we received […]

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ScaleTrains S gauge 40-foot boxcar

Color photo of S gauge boxcar painted green with orange graphics

The ScaleTrains S gauge 40-foot boxcar, based on a United States Railroad Administration (USRA) rebuilt steel prototype, is in hobby shops now. The model, the company’s second release in its S-Helper Service line, is offered ready-to-run in 10 paint schemes and as a kit in two versions. The prototype The sample we received is decorated […]

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PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000

Title screen of Product Review video featuring PIKO America Southern Pacific diesel-hydraulic locomotive.

The much-anticipated PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 diesel-hydraulic locomotive recently toured our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the prototype, points out the various details on the model, and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions. He wraps up the […]

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ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC

Title screen of Product Review video with HO scale locomotive painted dark red.

The ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest Product Review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Norfolk Southern 8104, points out the details on the Rivet Counter line model, demonstrates the sound and light functions, and uses the contemporary six-axle […]

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