Meet Dave Abeles

photo of Dave Abeles

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? Meet Dave Abeles: My first train set was the Tyco ‘Silver Streak’ set in HO scale (1984). I had loved trains since before I could walk or talk. In the late 1970s, my parents told stories of me always asking for trains and standing for hours anywhere […]

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Is there a passenger set or caboose to go with the Lionel T&P steam engine?

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Cody helps a viewer track down products in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about model railroading? Would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]

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MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotive roster in HO scale

Photo of seven HO scale diesel locomotives on scenicked model railroad

MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotive roster MR&T heritage fleet diesel locomotives: The Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, Model Railroader’s staff layout, has been around for more than 45 years. Similar to many full-size railroads, the freelanced MR&T has changed paint schemes on its diesel locomotives over the years. Following the lead of two Class 1 railroads, […]

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What is the best way to replicate mortar joints on styrene kit walls?

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Cody offers five tips in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about model railroading? Would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers and viewers […]

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Athearn Genesis HO scale Amtrak California passenger cars

illustration of Amtrak California passenger cars

Amtrak California passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99. Four-pack with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $579.99; dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $649.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Cab coaches […]

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Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars from Athearn Genesis

illustration of Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars

Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: With dual-mode NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Business class cars feature upper and lower service areas Cafe cars have […]

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Atlas HO scale Nippon Sharyo Metra commuter cars

Metra silver passenger car

Nippon Sharyo Metra commuter cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Type 8500 cab car, $139.95; Type 6000 trailer, $119.95; and three-pack (cab car and two trailers), $379.85 Era: Present day Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com Nippon Sharyo Metra commuter car features: 21-pin plug for optional Digital Command Control operation Illuminated, directional […]

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Where do you find replacement parts for out of production locomotives?

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Cody helps track down specific parts in this video of Ask Trains. Do you need help tracking down auto production parts? Would you like to learn more about full-size railroading? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

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American Mainline Model Trains large scale three-bay hopper

cream colored AML hopper

AML large scale three-bay hopper Scale: Large (1:29) Price: $160 Manufacturer: Accucraft AML, livesteamstation.com Large scale three-bay hopper features: Die-cast trucks with metal wheels Road Names: CSX (cream); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF; Burlington Northern (Cascade Green); Canadian National (red); Conrail; and Union Pacific. Four road numbers per scheme. Other exclusive schemes available through […]

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Atlas HO scale Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C diesel locomotive

diesel locomotive with Metra on it

Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with speaker and ditch lights, $229.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $339.95. Add $10 for MBTA models. Era: Present day Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com  Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C diesel locomotive features: Die-cast metal underframe Ditch lights […]

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Meet ClassOneModelWorks.com

class one logo with a box

Meet ClassOneModelWorks.com A new face is joining the model railroad marketplace. ClassOneModelWorks.com., based in Kansas City, Mo., is led by president and chief executive officer Mike Brusky and chief operating officer Stephen Priest. The company plans to introduce several HO scale locomotives and freight cars in the coming months. A brief history Brusky founded and […]

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