ScaleTrains HO GP30 debuts at Amherst 2022

Night image of a yellow locomotive with additional lights.

ScaleTrains HO GP30 debuts — ScaleTrains.com made a splash at the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show on Saturday, January 29. The company unveiled its new HO scale Rivet Counter line Electro-Motive Division GP30 diesel locomotive. The initial run, scheduled for release this fall, will feature six road names with multiple paint variations, including Union Pacific […]

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Ask MR: Modeling the Amtrak Auto Train

A silver and dark blue General Electric diesel locomotive leads a train of silver bi-level passenger cars

Q: What locomotives are currently used to pull Amtrak’s Auto Train? And does anyone offer them in N scale? – David Feitelson, Ocala, Fla. A: Though people today are most familiar with Auto Train as an Amtrak offering, the unique service began in 1971 under the auspices of a private company, the Auto-Train Corporation. Using […]

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ScaleTrains four-axle locomotive announcement at Amherst 2022

ScaleTrains gray, black, and white announcement ad.

ScaleTrains four-axle locomotive announcement is set for this weekend. Officials with ScaleTrains say they’ll unveil the new HO Scale model during the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show at 10:50 a.m. Eastern time, January 29. Attendees will be able to see the unveiling live at booth BLC No. 34A. More details will be available from […]

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Meet the Modeler: James McNab

Man applying resin to model river

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? While I have vague memories of a Lionel train set when I was a young child, the first scale locomotive that I owned was a DC-powered N scale Baltimore and Ohio F7, along with several freight cars. They were a birthday gift when I was 12 or […]

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Model railroad products for the week of January 27, 2022

Athearn Ready-to-Roll HO scale Chicago & North Western Evans 50-foot double-plug-door boxcar no. 600523.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest news on new model railroad products such as locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 27, 2022. See all products […]

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David Arrell’s HO scale Street Life & Streetcars layout

Track plan of David Arrell's HO scale model railroad

Facts & features Name: Street Life & Streetcars Scale: HO Size: 2 x 6 feet Prototype: Homage to streetcar service in and around Philadelphia Locale: Philadelphia and suburbs Era: Late 1950s Style: island Mainline run: approximately 16 feet Minimum radius: 6 1⁄4″ Minimum turnout: none Maximum grade: none Benchwork: open grid Height: 48″ Roadbed: Homabed/cork […]

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Ask MR: Flange-bearing frogs explained

A close-up image of a flange-bearing frog on a rail crossing diamond

Q: What is a lift frog and why are they used? – Bob Kolankoski, Scranton, Pa. A: Flange-bearing frogs, also known as lift frogs, jump frogs, or more colloquially leap frogs, are used on switches or diamonds where the main route sees far more traffic than the secondary. On a traditional tread-bearing frog, the flangeways […]

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Ultimate Guide 2022 Videos List

Trains.com’s Ultimate Guide to Model Railroading 2022 includes videos to accompany the articles in the printed issue. Here are links to each of the videos available. SEE Lee Marsh’s Layout: Lee Marsh’s HO scale Great Northern Cascade Division SEE Gerry Leone tackle a track helix: Building benchwork and beginning stage of a helix SEE Seth […]

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