Angel joins B&O Museum campaign

Men in a lift basket clean bricks near the top of a historic building.

BALTIMORE — The B&O Railroad Museum announced today that CSX CEO Steve Angel will co-chair the museum’s $38 million capital campaign to transform its campus in preparation for the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027. Angel replaces former CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs in this role. Hinrichs left CSX in September 2025. Angel joins Benjamin […]

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Atlas N EMD GP38-2

Color photo of showing engineer's side of cab and short hood on an N scale EMD GP38-2 painted blue and white with black graphics on white background.

Atlas N EMD GP38-2 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $124.95 to $134.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $224.95 to $234.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N EMD GP38-2 features: 2,600- or 3,600-gallon plastic fuel tank as appropriate Body-mounted Accumate couplers Directional, […]

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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum awarded $100K grant

Black steam locomotive arriving next to a red brick depot building. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum awarded $100K improvement grant.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has received a $100,000 grant from the State of Tennessee. The grant, administered by the Tennessee State Museum, is for capital maintenance and improvement projects. The museum will use the funds for additional improvements to its Grand Junction depot area. Specifically, the museum will fund three projects […]

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B&O Railroad Museum begins $38 million expansion

Rendering of front of brick museum building. B&O Railroad Museum begins $38 million expansion.

BALTIMORE — Mark your calendar for 15 months from now. In February 1827 the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first common carrier railroad in the U.S. February 2027 is the bicentennial of U.S. railroading and the B&O Railroad Museum plans to celebrate with renovated and expanded facilities now under construction. The $38 million project […]

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Lionel Legacy ET44AC

black and white model diesel engine

In April 2024, Lionel announced a newly-tooled, ET44AC diesel-electric locomotive in a standalone catalog. This O-scale, 3-rail model was delivered in September 2025 and has received high praise.  The ET44AC was produced by General Electric and is part of its Evolution Series. The locomotive is compliant with Tier 4 emissions standards, hence the “T” in […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel with cowl body painted dark blue and black with red and white graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $319.99 Era: 1969+ to 2000+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Body-mounted […]

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News & Products for the week of November 10th 2025

An orange and black model locomotive

News & Products for the week of November 10th 2025   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 November 10th, […]

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Five model railroad painting hacks

Color photo showing HO scale 1950s farm tractor painted red with driver figure wearing bib overalls and the bristles of a paintbrush touching the left rear tire.

Painting is one of my favorite aspects of the hobby, though I guess that shouldn’t come as a big surprise. My father and grandfather were auto body repairmen, so painting (albeit on vehicles, not model trains) has been a part of my life from an early age. I started airbrushing model trains in my early […]

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The astonishing 5-week transformation of No. 331

1800s replica steam locomotive in rail yard. The astonishing 5-week transformation of No. 331.

Horneman Enterprises, an engineering firm specializing in rail equipment restoration, has rebuilt 4-4-0 Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad No. 331 — formerly No. 63 Leviathan — from a completely torn down to the boiler, to operational in 5 weeks. The rebuild completed the locomotive’s FRA 1,472 day inspection, which was accomplished over the course of […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E review

Color photo showing cab and short hood of HO scale diesel painted green, white, and black on white background.

As a Burlington Northern fan, I was fired up when ScaleTrains announced it was producing the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP39E in HO scale. The model, part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line, depicts the four-axle road unit in its as-delivered appearance with Quantum Q2000 crossing strobes on the front deck. The full-size version of our […]

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Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel locomotive painted red and gray with white, yellow, and black graphics on white background.

Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $239.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $349.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 features: Detailed cab interior Factory-installed grab irons and handrails MoPower capacitor Multi-piece radiator fans Multiple stepwell styles and […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

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