How do I remove black marks from tubular track?

Sections of track on the table

I recently took out my old toy trains that have been packed away for about 25 years. The tubular track sections that were brand new back then now have black marks on them. How do I clean them and get them usable again? — Joe Rampe If it’s just dry corrosion, a Scotch-Brite pad will […]

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Rapido HO scale EMD F40PHM-2

Color photo of streamline diesel locomotive

The Electro-Motive Division F40PHM-2 is the latest HO scale commuter diesel from Rapido Trains. The four-axle unit uses plastic and die-cast metal construction and has numerous factory-applied detail parts and an assortment of lighting functions. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the F40PHM-2 between October 1991 and December 1992. Initial assembly was done in London, Ontario, […]

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Monsters of Mingo

20190513

Six-axle units from three Conrail predecessors mingle at Mingo Junction, Ohio, in April 1976, the month of Big Blue’s creation. Visible left to right are former Erie Lackawanna GE U33C No. 3302, Lehigh Valley Alco C628 No. 628, and Penn Central C630 No. 3626. Jay Potter photo […]

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Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F3

Screen capture from product review video with N scale cab unit and text in lower left corner.

The Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F3 decorated in Chesapeake & Ohio colors recently powered an excursion train over our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division cab unit and C&O No. 8016; points out the molded […]

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Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F3

Screen capture from product review video with N scale cab unit and text in lower left corner.

The Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F3 decorated in Chesapeake & Ohio colors recently powered an excursion train over our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division cab unit and C&O No. 8016; points out the molded […]

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Legs and bracing for the East Troy Industrial Park

Two white males, one with a full beard and one with a balding head, hold wood furniture legs to a bare wood rectangular frame and attach support boards to keep the legs vertical using black, blue, and yellow bar clamps.

Once we had the L-girders built, it was time to turn our attention to adding the legs and support bracing for the layout. We constructed the legs as simple subassemblies with their own cross bracing. It all bolts to the L-girder frames using ¼” carriage bolts, wing nuts, and washers.  We used more dimensional lumber […]

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A closer look at feed mills

Color photo showing portion of a feed mill with red siding, conveyors, and cyclone vents.

Q: In your special issue Best of Industries, Harold W. Russell wrote about the R.B. Crowell & Son Grain Co. He stated that the rail-served industry received grain in bulk loads, but in the photos and drawings it seems to me that they would ship grain instead of receiving it. What are your thoughts? — […]

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Atlas N scale EMD GP60

Color photo of N scale diesel locomotive painted orange and black on white background.

Atlas N scale EMD GP60 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $144.95; with ESU sound decoder, $254.95. Subtract $10 for undecorated models. Era: October 1985 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N scale EMD GP60 features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Clear window glazing […]

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Robert Van Camp’s Great Scenic Railway Journey

Cameraman filming steam train from cliff

Since 1994, Great Scenic Railway Journeys (GSRJ) on PBS has captivated viewers tuning in to “see the world from the scenic railroad.” It has catapulted Show Creator, Producer and now Host Robert Van Camp to 20 Emmys and the Program Excellence award from American Public Television. But for the man behind the camera, you see […]

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News & Products for the week of May 12th 2025

A black model freight car

News & Products for the week of May 12th 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 May 12th, […]

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