Atlas International Car Co. NE-6 center-cupola caboose

red caboose

International Car Co. NE-6 center-cupola caboose Scale: N (1:160) Price: $33.95 (undecorated, $23.95) Era: 1940s to 1980s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com PHOTO CAPTION Atlas Model Railroad Co. N scale Master Line Chicago, West Pullman & Southern International Car Co. NE-6 center-cupola caboose no. 207. International […]

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How can I restore the wet water look on my layout?

How to restore the wet water look: A scrap of paper towel is used to wipe dust from the surface of a modeled river

Q: Years ago, I used Liquitex Gloss Medium to create the water in two rivers on my layout. Now, I’ve noticed that they’re not as glossy as they once were. I periodically use a Woodland Scenics Dust Dabber and a wide, soft paintbrush to remove dust from the surface. How would you recommend that I clean the […]

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Cutting up a 4×8 table

A sheet of graph paper with four sketches showing ways to cut up a sheet of plywood

A lot of model railroads – and model railroaders – start out with that old standby, the 4 x 8-foot train table. The main reason is convenience; 4 x 8 feet is the size of a standard sheet of plywood. Extruded-foam insulation board, a popular train layout scenic foundation material, also comes in that size. […]

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Atlas HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40C diesel locomotive

red illustration of locomotive

General Electric Dash 8-40C diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct current with factory-installed speaker –front ditch lights, $199.99; front and rear ditch lights, $209.99; and undecorated with front ditch lights (Phase I and II), $179.99. With dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder – front ditch lights, $309.95; front and rear ditch lights, $319.95; and undecorated with front […]

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Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car from Walthers

black tank car

Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.98 Era: Modern Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Trinity 30,145-gallon modified tank car features: Based on cars updated with reinforced ends, revised end platforms, and multi-valve housing to comply with Federal Railroad Administration mandates Photo-etched metal end […]

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Why I love the 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive

Berkshire 2-8-4 locomotive: When I was a kid, my dad once showed me his childhood Lionel set. He had a Lionel no. 726RR Berkshire set with a few extra pieces stored in a metal crate. I never got to see it set up or operate, unfortunately. I had no idea what a Berkshire was back […]

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Athearn Genesis Union Pacific collector’s set

illustration of locomotive in red, white and blue

Union Pacific collector’s set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $529.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $699.99. Both versions include caboose with dual-mode NCE light decoder. Era: 1969+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Electro-Motive Division DDA40X diesel locomotive features: All-wheel electrical pickup Celcon handrails and stanchions Detailed fuel […]

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Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4,750-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper from Tangent Scale Models

yellow hopper

Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4750 covered hoppers Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $52.95 Era: 1979 to 1997+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Tangent Scale Models, P.O. Box 6514, Asheville, NC 28816; 828-412-3886; tangentscalemodels.com Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4750 covered hoppers features: Kadee scale couplers See-through etched metal running boards and crossover platforms Prototype-specific brake systems, outlet gates, roof hatches, […]

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68-foot Railgon gondola from Walthers

black with yellow gondola

68-foot Railgon gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 2010 to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com 68-foot Railgon gondola features: See-through square load tie-downs along top chord 17-exterior post sidewalls Straight sill Detailed brake gear 100-ton trucks 36” turned-metal RP-25 wheels Proto-Max metal […]

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