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Athearn GP40-2 series diesels Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $229.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami sound decoder, $329.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime models. Era: 1980s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features on Athearn HO GP40-2 series […]
In January of this year, the future looked bleak for the storied Pacific Southern Railway, a model railroad club based in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. Their decades-old, constantly evolving club layout was facing an existential threat. The HO scale Pacific Southern Railway, spanning 5,000 square feet with over 3,500 feet of handlaid track, began its […]
New York, New Haven & Hartford RS-1 no. 0667 brings a local freight past the S&J Donohue General Store in White Hills, Conn. Lou Sassi took the photo on Bob Collett’s HO scale Huntington & Hartford, featured in the December 1996 issue of Model Railroader. Bob scratchbuilt the general store based on a prototype in […]
Q: I’m trying to locate a source for large sheets of styrene. I can find the smaller sheets marketed by Evergreen, but I have been unsuccessful in my search for 4 x 8-foot sheets. Do you know of an online source? I live in the Toledo, Ohio, metro and there aren’t any plastics dealers in […]
Kids have enjoyed playing with toy soldiers for decades, but did you know these playthings date back to ancient Egypt? Author Simon Clark has written a book that chronicles these miniature figures and the folks who collect them. The book begins with a lengthy introduction, loosely covering the 1930s through present day, with a focus […]
Soo Line’s train No. 6, powered by 4-6-2 no. 736, eases up to the depot in the fictional community of Bahnak, Minn. Lou Sassi took the photo on Ray and Renee Grosser’s HO scale layout in Eubank, Ky. Renee scratchbuilt the elevator and Soo Line first-class depot. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images […]
Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $289.95 Era: Mid-1990s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights Etched-metal radiator grills and […]
News & Products for the week of June 16th 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 16th, […]
The industrial community of Charlemont keeps Graylock Terminal crews busy. Today, Alco RS-3 no. 38 will switch the local industries. The scene, photographed by Lou Sassi, is on Bill Duffé’s freelanced HO LKJ&W RR. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of model railroad heritage and excellence. […]
Now that trains are running on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout, David Popp hosts this BONUS video to share some of the behind-the-scenes efforts and design considerations the MR crew still needs to tackle. As so many model railroaders can attest, there’s no such thing as “finished” layout…especially when structure […]
Atlas Thrall HO 2743 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.95; with cover, $44.95 Era: 1995 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas Thrall 2743 gondola features: 14 exterior posts 36” metal wheelsets Body-mounted Accumate couplers Detailed brake system with air reservoir, brake cylinder, and control valve; […]
With the late afternoon sun casting long shadows, Staten Island Rapid Transit S-2 no. 488 pulls a cut of boxcars through Mariner’s Harbor on Staten Island. The remnants of the Lake Avenue passenger platform can be seen behind the switcher. Mark Pitanza of Old Bridge, N.J., took the photo outdoors on an N scale diorama. […]
