New England Alcos

20200409

Three Alco RS3s lead a Boston & Maine freight near White River Junction, Vt. The railroad had 26 such units, Nos. 1505-1519 and 1535-1545, numbered around a series of similar RS2s. Jerry A. Pinkepank photo […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of April 14th 2025

A yellow model caboose

News & Products for the week of April 14th 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 April 14th, […]

Read More…

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 8 | Installing fascia

In this episode of the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout series, David and Bryson work to install trim panels at the front of the model railroad. These removable fascia panels are both decorative and protective hardboard components that help give the layout a finished look. The guys show you how to […]

Read More…

Rapido Trains HO GE C30-7

Color photo showing side of HO scale diesel locomotive.

The C30-7 is the latest addition to the lineup of General Electric diesel locomotives from Rapido Trains. The HO scale model, offered in eight paint schemes, has a five-pole motor with dual flywheels; a heavy, die-cast metal weight; and prototype-specific details. Prototype history General Electric produced the C30-7 from September 1976 to May 1985. During […]

Read More…

Local lesson

20200410

Milwaukee Road’s Viroqua Patrol, with an Alco RSD5 in charge, crosses the Burlington Northern’s ex-Chicago, Burlington & Quincy main line at Grande Crossing in La Crosse, Wis., on Oct. 9, 1971. “Patrol” was the Milwaukee’s name for a local freight and Viroqua was a town on a branch located southeast of La Crosse. J. W. […]

Read More…

Illinois men sentenced for derailing UP locomotive

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

PEORIA, Ill. — Two Bartonville, Ill., men have avoided jail time through a plea bargain regarding charges they derailed a Union Pacific locomotive late last year. Jimmy Johnson, 20, and Caleb Finley, 18, pleaded guilty last week to charges of damage to railroad property, a Class 4 felony, WCBU radio reports. They were sentenced in […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of April 7th 2025

An orange model caboose

News & Products for the week of April 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 April 7th, […]

Read More…

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 7 | Working with risers

With joists on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad installed, David and Bryson set out to establish elevated and lowered sections, along with the grades required to reach those new heights and depths. Follow the duo as they measure, test, and recheck how the sections fit and function, before installing the […]

Read More…

Early Santa Fe diesel locomotives

Motorcar in front of brick station

  In 1931-32, Chief Mechanical Engineer Charles T. Ripley applied his European experience, along with his work on steam motorcar M-104 back in 1911, as he worked with Winton Engine Manufacturing Co., Electro-Motive Corp., and the Pullman Co. in the design, development, and introduction to service of a distillate-engine-powered motorcar, the M-190. The articulated M-190 […]

Read More…

Double trouble

20200402

After doubling its train together at Clare Yard in Cincinnati, train 78 prepares to depart east for Portsmouth, Ohio, over the Peavine in December 1959. Doubling the train blocked the Pennsylvania’s main line diamond at Clare. Tom Smart, J. David Ingles collection […]

Read More…

Specially wrapped locomotive part of NJ Transit observance of Autism Acceptance Month

Blue electric locomotive with multicolored infinity sign on front and sides

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is recognizing Autism Acceptance month with events including wrapping one of its locomotives to promote acceptance, and featuring station announcements recorded by neurodiverse children. “NJ Transit is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming transit system that reflects the diverse communities we serve,” NJ Transit Board Chair Fran O’Connor said […]

Read More…

Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2

Screen capture of video with orange and black HO scale diesel and title bar in lower left corner.

The Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2 recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road switcher and Milwaukee Road No. 363; points out the many prototype-specific details on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on our review sample, which […]

Read More…