New model trains for the week of June 18, 2020

Yellow refrigerator car

See the latest HO, N, and O scale model railroad products from Athearn, Bluford Shops, Walthers, and more! HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 diesel locomotive. BNSF Ry. (factory weathered Burlington Northern patchout in two road numbers, Heritage I in one number), California Northern (green and cream and Genesee & Wyoming orange and black, three […]

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More new large scale products from PIKO

Stem locomotive pulling coal

Large scale locomotives Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2-6-0 “mini Mogul” steam locomotive. Five-pole can-type ball-bearing motor; separate, factory-applied piping, handrail, and ladders; directional lighting; detailed cab interior with engineer figure; hook-and-loop couplers; and molded brake cylinder and smokestack. Direct-current model can be upgraded with PIKO no. 36220 digital steam sound kit and no. 36142 […]

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HO scale New York Central layout

HO scale New York Central layout

This is a 45 second video of Dave Neuser’s HO scale New York Central layout set in the summer of 1953. He recorded it to showcase the backdrop buildings for the company he’d bought them from. He mixed all the separate sound effects on his Adobe Audition including the horn, the dogs barking, the birds, […]

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Milwaukee’s Trainfest, 2021 WGH shows cancelled

Garden Railways

Citing concerns over the COVID-19 virus, promoters of Milwaukee’s Trainfest have cancelled the November 2020 show. Additionally, there will be no World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows in 2021. In a release to the industry, WGH showrunners noted many municipalities and venues aren’t allowing events involving large gatherings. WGH shows typically draw 15-30,000 people, making […]

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Remembering Texas & Pacific Railway freight trains

A black and white photo of ten-Wheeler 352 locomotive on the track with steam coming out of its chimney

All this month — June 2020 — Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and images of the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include TP diesel- and steam-powered freight trains through time. You might also enjoy this […]

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In memoriam: Kevin O’Connor

Kevin O'Connor

E. Kevin O’Connor, 1939-2020   Kevin O’Connor passed away on May 30, 2020, in Sacramento, California, age 80. Born Eugene O’Connor in Long Island on September 8, 1939, he later gave himself the middle name of Kevin, which is the name by which his friends knew him. Kevin’s working life was spent in the military. […]

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MTH Trains’ Wolf sets 2021 end date for company

Model Railroader

M.T.H. Trains President Mike Wolf has announced his May 2021 retirement and the subsequent closure of the company after 40 years in business. “It is, therefore, with mixed emotions that I tell you I have decided to retire in 2021 and close the business,” he said in a June 8, 2020 letter to the industry. […]

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Hartland Locomotive Works halts train production

Model Railroader placeholder image

Large-scale model railroad equipment manufacturer Hartland Locomotive Works has ceased production, possibly for good. The Laporte, Ind. company posted a letter May 28 on its website stating it has ceased train production due to difficulties in its overall business and the Covid-19 virus. It has been part of the hobby for more than 25 years. […]

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New model trains for the week of June 11, 2020

Red fowler boxcar

See the latest model railroad products in HO, N, and O scales! HO scale locomotives General Electric P42 diesel locomotive. Amtrak (phase 2 heritage scheme in two road numbers, phase 3 scheme in four numbers, phase 4 heritage scheme in one number, and phase 5 scheme in four numbers) and VIA Rail Canada (Renaissance paint […]

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