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Diesel-electric locomotives are the backbone of modern-day railroading, offering the power and efficiency needed to haul freight and passenger trains across vast distances. Although much of railroading is dominated by relatively new and popular design models, some rare units continue to operate in various capacities today. Here’s a look at some of these gems. GP15D […]
CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has made a notable addition to its excursion fleet with the generous donation of former Baltimore & Ohio business car No. 905, Silver Spring. The donation is the result of a collaborated effort by Kelly Lynch, executive director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and a […]
STRASBURG, Pa. — The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services, announced today (July 8) that eciConstruction of Dillsburg, Pa., has been confirmed as the general contractor for the museum’s roundhouse project. The bidding process began Feb. 21, 2025, for […]
The Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L diesel locomotive, based on a prototype built by General Motors Diesel Division, recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Quebec-Gatineau Ry. No. 3014; points out the many factory-applied details; and demonstrates the sound […]
Q: I’m curious why I’ve never seen four 20-foot intermodal containers in a single well car, stacked two on top and two on the bottom. I’ve only ever seen two 20-foot containers in the well and a 40-foot (or larger) container on top. — Benjamin Stewart A: David Lassen, senior editor at Trains magazine, put me […]
The Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L diesel locomotive, based on a prototype built by General Motors Diesel Division, recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Quebec-Gatineau Ry. No. 3014; points out the many factory-applied details; and demonstrates the sound […]
Atlas recently sent us one of their new “Dash 9” diesel-electric locomotives from the Premier line: the C44-9W. Cody Grivno, in a 2019 Model Railroader review, wrote a nice summary of the prototype Dash 9 series in a review of a ScaleTrains HO scale model. GE built more than 3,500 of these diesels between 1993 […]
STRASBURG, Pa. — RJD America LLC made early Fourth of July headlines with its recent acquisition of business car Pacific Spirit. Originally built by National Steel Car in 1959, and previously known as Bonaventure, this rare example of the M530-class design was part of the Canadian National Railway’s business fleet and was made available through […]
News & Products for the week of July 7th 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 July 7th, […]
GOLDEN, Colo. — The Colorado Railroad Museum has unveiled plans to restore ex-Rio Grande Southern narrow-gauge caboose No. 0404, with the goal of having it ready to accompany RGS 4-6-0 No. 20 to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for special excursions in early 2026 [See “Colorado Railroad Museum, Durango & Silverton announce plans…” […]
Walthers HO Gunderson 50-foot boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO Gunderson 50-foot boxcar features: 36” metal wheelsets Based on full-size cars that handle paper rolls 10 feet or more in diameter for magazine and newspaper production Body-mounted Proto-Max metal […]
An upgraded HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 is available from Athearn. The Genesis-series model is now offered with illuminated number boxes and class lights, along with light-emitting-diode lighting and all-wheel drive and electrical pickup. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP38-2 from January 1972 through July 1986. During the course of the production run, […]
