Atlas HO scale EMD SD35

Color photo showing nose of HO scale six-axle hood unit painted bright green and white with black graphics on white background.

Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $189.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $294.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale EMD SD35 features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Detailed cab interior with crew figures Die-cast metal underframe Five-pole skewed […]

Read More…

Santa Fe FT’s on Tehachapi

20130404

An A-B-B-A set of Santa Fe FT diesels leads a westbound freight just below famous Tehachapi Loop in 1949. This train met an eastbound Southern Pacific freight at Walong siding on the Loop itself; steam from the SP train’s cab-forward helper is visible in the distance. Linn H. Westcott photo […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of November 3rd 2025

A black model steam locomotive

News & Products for the week of November 3rd 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 November 3rd, […]

Read More…

Tune up your toy train equipment

hand holding oil next to model train

Christmas is just around the corner so it’s time to make sure seasonal train displays are ready to deliver holiday fun – toy train style! Let’s start with locomotives and rolling stock.   Inspection, oil, and grease Before trying to run anything, I recommend doing a preliminary inspection. Now is the time to replace broken […]

Read More…

Atlas Classic HO scale EMD GP7

Color photo showing rear of long hood on HO scale GP7 painted Cascade Green and black with white stripes. Road number 1554 is visible on side of hood and in number boards.

Atlas Classic HO scale EMD GP7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $184.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $294.95 Era: 1949 to 1980s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas Classic HO scale EMD GP7 features: 800- or 1,600-gallon fuel tank as […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains S gauge wood reefer

Color photo showing B end details of S gauge wood refrigerator car painted yellow-orange, mineral brown, and black on white background.

The fourth model to join the ScaleTrains S-Helper Service lineup is a 41-foot wood refrigerator car. The model, based on an American Car & Foundry prototype from the 1920s, features plastic construction; factory-installed and painted wire grab irons; and sprung, die-cast metal trucks. Prototype history The review sample we received is decorated as Santa Fe […]

Read More…

Veedersburg, Ind., signals

Color photo on HO scale model railroad showing diesel-powered passenger train and steam-powered freight train passing a signal. There are various structures in the background.

Q: The cover of the November 2025 issue of Model Railroader shows the signals for the west end of the Veedersburg, Ind., siding. The signal for entering the siding has no middle head so the best it could display is slow clear, but the signal for leaving the siding has a middle head and only […]

Read More…

Broadway Limited HO EMD SD45

Color photo showing nose of hood unit painted gray, white, and blue with white graphics on white background

Broadway Limited HO EMD SD45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Stealth Series without sound, $259.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder and GoPack capacitor packs, $389.99 Era: 1967 to present (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 HO EMD SD45 features: ABS body […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of October 27th 2025

A red, white and blue model caboose painted in an American bicentennial scheme

News & Products for the week of October 27th 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 October 27th, […]

Read More…

WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 review

Color photo of HO scale end-cab switcher painted yellow and gray with red graphics on scenicked based with a sky blue backdrop.

An Electro-Motive Division NW2 has joined the ranks of the WalthersProto line. The newly tooled HO scale model, based on Phase I through IV prototypes, uses plastic and die-cast metal construction and features railroad-specific details, a factory-installed 11mm x 15mm cube-type speaker in both direct current and Digital Command Control versions, and body-mounted Proto-Max metal […]

Read More…

Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge

Color photo showing end of N scale flat-side Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge painted aluminum, red, white, and blue on white background.

Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge Scale: N (1:160) Price: $89.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido N Southern Pacific 3/4 dome lounge features: Body-mounted magnetic knuckle couplers Designed from original blueprints and field measurements of existing cars End doors with porthole windows Flicker-free, track-powered lighting (compatible with […]

Read More…