Broadway Limited has released a new run of its N scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel locomotive. The end-cab switcher features a die-cast metal body and chassis, all-wheel electrical pickup, factory-applied detail parts, and body-mounted couplers. The prototype Electro-Motive Division built the NW2 from February 1939 through December 1949. Production was paused from 1942 to 1945 […]
Magazine: Model-Railroader
Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Reefers through Pine River
Dave Cwirko submitted this photo of two Union Pacific Geeps (Electro-Motive Division General Purpose locomotives) pulling a solid refrigerator car train through Pine River on his freelanced Rocky Mountains layout. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of model railroad heritage and excellence. […]
Rapido HO FM H16-44 diesel
Rapido HO FM H16-44 diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $225; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $335 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO FM H16-44 diesel features: Carbodies with and without dynamic brakes Dofasco or Fairbanks-Morse trucks as appropriate Illuminated number boxes, headlights, and green and […]
Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Bringing up the rear
Even though Doug Tagsold has a large HO scale model railroad, he didn’t let that stop him from building another layout – this time in On3. Doug took this photo of a D&RGW wood caboose bringing up the rear of a freight passing through Rockwood, Colo. Doug’s layout is based on the Denver & Rio […]
20-foot intermodal containers
Q: I’m curious why I’ve never seen four 20-foot intermodal containers in a single well car, stacked two on top and two on the bottom. I’ve only ever seen two 20-foot containers in the well and a 40-foot (or larger) container on top. — Benjamin Stewart A: David Lassen, senior editor at Trains magazine, put me […]
Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L
The Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2L diesel locomotive, based on a prototype built by General Motors Diesel Division, recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the four-axle road unit and Quebec-Gatineau Ry. No. 3014; points out the many factory-applied details; and demonstrates the sound […]
Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Along the banks of the Delaware River
The real Penn Central was an ill-fated railroad that lasted only seven years, but Mike Pennie imagined ways the PC could have been a better carrier and modeled those improvements on his N scale layout. Here we see Alco C-630 no. 6318 and GP40 no. 3171 leading an empty auto rack train along the banks […]
An interview with Jack Sommerfeld of Sommerfeld’s Trains & Hobbies
If you ever find yourself in the Milwaukee area, you may want to take a quick drive north to Butler, Wis., and visit Sommerfeld’s Trains & Hobbies. Don’t let its small size fool you — this brick-and-mortar store is a one-stop shop for a vast range of O gauge products. Owner Jack Sommerfeld, Chief Repair […]
Athearn HO drop-frame spread-axle chassis
Athearn HO drop-frame spread-axle chassis We recently received a pre-production sample of the Athearn HO drop-frame spread-axle chassis. This is a hand-assembled model. Details on production models may vary slightly. Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO drop-frame spread-axle chassis features: Air tanks and […]
News & Products for the week of July 7th 2025
News & Products for the week of July 7th 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 July 7th, […]
Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Appalachian coal-hauling
Lenexa, Kan., resident Tom Manning is a long way from Clinchfield country, but he enjoys modeling the former Appalachian coal-hauling railroad. Paul Dolkos photographed Electro-Motive Division GP38 no. 2007 leading the Nora Turn onto the main line at the train’s namesake station on Tom’s HO scale layout. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images […]
Cody’s Office | July 2025
Where has 2025 gone? We’re already into July, which means county fair season is in full swing. Right on its heels, back-to-school sales will begin! Between all of that hustle and bustle, take a few minutes to enjoy the July 2025 episode of Cody’s Office. We have an exciting lineup of products this month. Leading […]
