Every figure can tell a story

Figures near a model hopper car

When it comes to figures, it seems most modelers fall into one of two camps. Some use only figures in static poses, like sitting or standing. The others enjoy making active scenes, like busy station platforms or marching bands. I don’t remember putting very many figures on my previous layout [featured in Great Model Railroads […]

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Ask MR: Did Penn Central cabooses have stripes?

A black-and-white photo of a Penn Central caboose with a white side stripe

Q: I am a fan of the Penn Central RR.  While visiting my local hobby shop, I saw a model of a PC caboose with a white stripe down the middle. Is it prototypical? And why the white stripe? – Mark Kroll A: Yes. Although it was uncommon, that was a prototypical scheme. I’ve seen it […]

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News & products for the week of July 22

Wascosa era VI Shimmns tarp car.

Large scale freight cars  Wascosa era VI Shimmns tarp car. Hook-and-loop couplers, simulated tarp cover molded in closed position, and plastic wheelsets. $174.99. September 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com Large scale passenger equipment Deutsche Reichsbahn era III Reko second-class diner Mitropa. Hook-and-loop couplers, molded interior seats, and plastic wheelsets. Interior lighting can be added using […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger car, structure, and detail announcements for July 22, 2021

Northern Pacific 1947 North Coast Limited lightweight coach.

Product news  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. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 22, 2021. HO scale locomotives  MT-4 4-8-2 steam locomotive. Without skyline […]

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Modeling from postcards

Image of downtown scene with buildings and vehicles

In last month’s installment, we took a look at two postcards that showed aerial views of Crookston, Minn., my hometown. This time we’ll examine two ground-level scenes, one in the city and the other in the country. The heart of downtown. The intersection of Broadway (the north-south street the photographer is standing in) and Robert […]

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News & Products for the week of July 15, 2021

PIKO America Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe remote-control starter set.

Large scale sets Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe remote-control starter set. Includes a 0-6-0T saddletank steam locomotive, two-bay offset-side hopper, caboose, R/C controller, pocket remote, power clamps, and circle of indoor/outdoor R1 track. Locomotive has five-pole can-type motor, detailed cab interior with engineer figure, and sliding pickup shoes. All models have hook-and-loop couplers. $479.99. September […]

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Walthers announces next HO scale name train

The General Train from Walthers

Wm. K. Walthers Inc. announced that Pennsylvania RR’s The General will be its next HO scale name train. The train, part of the WalthersProto line, will consist of 11 ready-to-run cars, including four available in plastic for the first time. The models will be offered in two versions: With factory-printed names or numbers as appropriate […]

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