WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9

Side view of HO scale diesel locomotive painted green and yellow on scenicked model railroad with title bar in lower left corner.

A new run of the WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9 was recently released. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road switcher and Central Vermont No. 4445; highlights the detail parts on the ready-to-run model; and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions on the locomotive, which […]

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The Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RR layout in HO scale

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features Name: Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 8 x 30 feetPrototype: Soo LineLocale: northwestern WisconsinEra: early 1950sStyle: walkaroundMainline run: 50 feetMinimum radius: 30″ (main), 18″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 5 (main), No. 4 (branch)Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: L-girderHeight: 44″Roadbed:1∕2″ plywood covered with 1∕2″ HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 100 flextrack, Peco and Atlas turnoutsScenery: […]

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The Colorado & Southern Clear Creek District layout

The track plan for the Coloarado and Southern model railroad layout

Facts and features Name: Colorado & Southern Clear Creek DistrictScale: 1:72Size: 40 x 52 feetPrototype: Colorado & Southern Clear Creek DistrictLocale: Denver to Rocky MountainsEra: 1920sStyle: Double-deck linear walkaroundMainline run: 725 feet plus branch lineMinimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 3%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 30″ to 70″Roadbed: cork on insulation boardTrack: code 70 and 83 […]

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Atlas HO scale Alco RS11

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted black, yellow, and red on white background.

Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $174.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $289.95 Era: 1970 to 1975 (as decorated) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 features: Die-cast metal frame Directional, golden-white light-emitting-diode lighting Factory-installed […]

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News & Products for the week of June 9th 2025

A model passenger train on elevated track

News & Products for the week of June 9th 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 June 9th, […]

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MTH Premier Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4

O scale streamlined steam locomotive set in front of a scene

MTH Electric Trains continues its presence in the model railroad world, focusing on O, Standard, and One Gauge products. The O gauge lineup has mainly been previously-offered locomotives and rolling stock from the tooling that’s in a shared agreement with Atlas or wasn’t sold to Lionel. Among their offerings, the Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 […]

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Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7

Color photo of N scale end-cab switcher painted silver and black with red, white, and blue stripes.

Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Stealth (no sound), $189.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder, $259.99 Era: 1949 to 2000s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 features: All-wheel electrical pickup Body-mounted couplers […]

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Sideswipe survivor

20200506

The remains of Santa Fe GP38 No. 3552 lie in a ditch following a sideswipe incident at Booth, Texas, on April 14, 1973. A southbound train struck the rear cars of a northbound train. The subsequent derailment and fire destroyed three GP38s. Steve Patterson photo […]

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Atlas HO NSC newsprint boxcar

Color photo of HO scale boxcar painted green and black on white background

The National Steel Car Corp. 50-foot newsprint boxcar is the latest addition to the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The model, based on tooling the manufacturer acquired from True Line Trains in 2020, features molded and separate, factory-applied detail parts; 33” metal wheelsets; and body-mounted Accumate couplers. Prototype history Between 1967 and 1971, […]

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Prairie State steam

20200522

Chicago & North Western train 6, heavy with mail and express, speeds east near Dekalb, Ill., in 1949. H-1 class 4-8-4 No. 3014 is one of 24 such rebuilt locomotives on the roster, built by Baldwin in 1929 as the H class and retired between 1950 and 1956. Classic Trains collection […]

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Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars

Color photo of HO scale freight car painted orange, black, and silver on white background

Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.95; six-pack, $359.70 Era: 1957 to 1982 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Features on Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars: 33″ metal wheelsets Body-mounted Lincoln-Washington metal semi-scale couplers Factory-installed and painted wire grab irons Freestanding door rods, […]

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