Electro-Motive Division BL2 from Bachmann

Black streamlined diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division BL2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: To be announced Era: 1947+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: New and existing tooling Directional light-emitting-diode headlights with Rule 17 dimming Dual-mode decoder E-Z Mate Mark II couplers Blackened RP-25 contour wheels Release date: 2023 Paint schemes: Chesapeake & Ohio […]

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Trainfest ‘resurrection’ in progress

HO-scale model of a logging locomotive hauling a train in a prairie scene.

If Dave Swanson has his way, Trainfest attendees this year will feel right at home. “We’re trying to bring Trainfest to its past glory,” says Swanson, lead organizer of Trainfest to be held near Milwaukee Nov. 12 and 13. “The word I’m fond of using is, ‘resurrection.’ ” Swanson is founder of the Great American […]

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Bowser Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive

Tuscan red diesel locomotive

Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current, $249.95; with sound decoder, $349.95 Era: 1953 to 1979 Manufacturer: Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 1302 Jordan Ave., Montoursville, PA 17754; 570-368-2379; bowser-trains.com Features: Can motor Light-emitting diode lighting Blackened, nickel-plated wheels Separate, factory-applied detail parts Release date: Fall 2023 Paint schemes: Pennsylvania RR (as-delivered with […]

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Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 from Bachmann

Screen capture from HO scale 4-6-2 video

Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 from Bachmann Senior Editor Cody Grivno hosts this Product Review video featuring the Pennsylvania RR (PRR) class K4 Pacific steam locomotive from Bachmann Trains. The 4-6-2 paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout, where it led a short train of heavyweight passenger cars. Details on the […]

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Bachmann Siemens ACS-64

Side view of gray electric locomotive

Siemens ACS-64 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $459 Era: 2020s+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: Dual-mode TCS WOWSound decoder Keep-Alive capacitor Light-emitting diode lighting, including flashing ditch lights and directional marker lights and headlights Voice-guided Audio Assist Die-cast metal frame Mappable light functions Selector switch for choice between […]

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Amtrak Acela II train set and separate-sale passenger cars

Model Railroader placeholder image

Amtrak Acela II Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Train set, $799; separate-sale cars, $139 Era: 2020s+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Set features Powered (analog control with speaker) and non-powered (functioning lights) locomotives Additional locomotive features include die-cast metal chassis; working, directional light-emitting-diode (LED) headlights and marker lights; and […]

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Midday Modeler — 08-17-2022 — recorded LIVE

Two men speaking at a workbench.

Midday Modeler — 08-17-2022 — Join the crew of Model Railroader for more adventures in model railroading! Midday Modeler is a new, regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media beginning in February 2022. The segment features Kalmbach Media staff modeling and talking about model railroads in a casual format. It is unscripted […]

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Walthers HO nickel silver flextrack

Two boxes of flextrack

Nickel silver flextrack Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $74.98  Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-077; walthers.com Holiday special 10-pack nickel silver flextrack features: 36” sections Code 83 or code 100 nickel silver rail Ties molded in dark brown plastic with woodgrain detail Molded spike and tie plate detail on […]

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American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar from Walthers

Mineral red boxcar

American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98  Era: 1974 to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 50-foot American Car and Foundry exterior post boxcar features: Plate B dimensions 33” turned-metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Burlington Northern […]

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