Athearn HO FMC 5347 offset double-door boxcar

Color photo showing B end of HO scale double-door boxcar with exterior posts painted yellow with black and white graphics on white background.

Athearn HO FMC 5347 offset double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.99 to $44.99 Era: 1979+ to 2010+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO FMC 5347 offset double-door boxcar features: 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry scale couplers with screw-mounted […]

Read More…

Icing the reefers on the CB&Q

20151216

A worker shovels salt into a reefer via a rolling chute at the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s icing dock in Denver in 1949. The conveyor chain on the platform at right carries block ice along the platform. Earl Cochran photo […]

Read More…

VIA, Amtrak schedules hobbled by dearth of standby equipment

Passenger train on straight track with mountain backdrop

Although frigid winter weather has played a major role in disrupting service recently on VIA Rail Canada and Amtrak long distance routes, both operators’ lack of readily available reserve passenger cars and locomotives has clearly exacerbated the situation. VIA stretched thin A significant setback occurred last week when VIA’s venerable Vancouver, B.C.-bound Canadian was delayed […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of January 20th 2026

A red and blue model locomotive

News & Products for the week of January 20th 2026 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 January 20th, 2026. […]

Read More…

Alstom, Toronto finalize deal for new subway trainsets

Illustration of red subway car

TORONTO — Alstom and the Toronto Transit Commission have finalized an agreement for Alstom to build 70 six-car Metropolis subway trainsets for the New Subway Train program to replace the fleet on the TTC’s subway Line 2, as well as for use on subway extension projects. The purchase of the new equipment had been announced […]

Read More…

House bill would require study of tank car pressure relief valves

Black cloud of smoke above town

WASHINGTON — House members from Pennsylvania and Ohio have introduced a bill requiring the Federal Railroad Administration to study tank car pressure relief valves, and provide a report to Congress on their findings, nearly three years after the disastrous February 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, hazardous materials derailment. The Under Pressure Act was announced Thursday (Jan. […]

Read More…

Athearn HO FMC 5283 double-door boxcar

Color photo showing B end of HO scale double-door boxcar with exterior posts painted green with white and black graphics on white background.

Athearn HO FMC 5283 double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $29.99 Era: 1974+ to 2000s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO FMC 5283 double-door boxcar features: Body-mounted McHenry scale couplers Freestanding air reservoir, brake cylinder, and control valve Hydra-Cushion underframe with center sill, […]

Read More…

Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter

Color photo showing B end of HO scale bathtub gondola painted aluminum and red with red, yellow, black, and white graphics on white background.

Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $49.99; five-pack, $239.99 Era: 2006+ to 2014+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter features: 36” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry scale lower shelf couplers […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of January 12th 2026

A gray streamlined model locomotive

News & Products for the week of January 12th 2026 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 January 12th, 2026. […]

Read More…

SEPTA to restore regular Regional Rail schedules on Monday, Jan. 12

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — Regional Rail service will return to its normal schedules, including morning express trains, on Monday, Jan. 12, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has announced. The move comes as more of the agency’s Silverliner IV railcars, sidelined for repairs since a federal emergency order was issued in October, are returning to service. “This is […]

Read More…