Union Pacific to develop industrial park near Houston

Map of available proporty at new industrial park near Rosenberg, Texas

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has announced plans to develop a 2,000-acre industrial park outside Houston that will feature 1,300 acres of rail-served land. The Mainline Texas Industrial Park is just west of Rosenberg, Texas, and about 40 miles southwest of downtown Houston. It will be bordered on one side by the main line of […]

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Lionel No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set

maroon and black toy train set

Lionel’s No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set is the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the wonderful hobby of toy trains. How do I know this? Because I used this exciting and entertaining passenger set to introduce my two young grandsons (ages 6 and 4 years) to operating electric trains. Believe me when I […]

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Menards electrical towers

three pack of model transmission towers

If your industrial park or big city needs a power boost, Menards has you covered with a three pack of electrical towers. While doing research, I learned that the industry term for this item is a transmission tower, at least in the United States. The towers are usually made from steel, and support overhead power […]

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An interview with Bachmann Industries

Multiple products from Bachmann

With its Bicentennial year just around the corner, Bachmann Industries is still kicking as the world’s largest distributor in the model railroad industry and hobby. Marketing and Licensing Manager Matt Stern and Product Development Manager Tyler Haney joined Model Railroader Editor Eric White and Trains.com Assistant Digital Editor Lucas Iverson to discuss more about the […]

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News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025

Color photo showing group of HO scale three-bay covered hoppers with exterior posts in various paint schemes on white background.

News & Products for the week of December 15th 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 December 15th, 2025. HO […]

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City Council closes Yakima Valley Trolley … for now

Red and cream-colored trolley car running along city street.

YAKIMA, Wash. — At its regular meeting on Dec. 9, the Yakima City Council voted five to two in favor of postponing discussion and action on a new operating agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys until its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting. The nonprofit group operates trolleys on what remains of the Yakima Valley Transportation Co. […]

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Atlas O announces two patriotic SD40-2 locomotives

new, white, and blue model locomotive

Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, has announced two patriotic-themed SD40-2 diesel locomotives as part of the Premier line. The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway No. 1776 features red/white/blue graphics (30138695). The Reading & Northern No. 1776 is based on a paint scheme announced on Veterans Day 2025 to commemorate […]

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LCCA announces new custom-run train set

orange and black model train set

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) announces a Lionel custom-run train set for their members. The set includes an FT A unit diesel locomotive, Crocker coach car, Phelps dome car, and a Hopkins observation car, all decorated in Southern Pacific “black widow” paint scheme. The locomotive features Bluetooth, Lionel Voice Control, Voice Streaming and […]

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Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100

Disney World locomotive No. 3, a green 4-6-0 steam engine. Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two of Disney World’s steam locomotives have reached the century mark. No. 3, Roger E. Broggie, and No. 1, Walter E. Disney, both 4-6-0s, were both built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. Both have been part of the Disney World roster in Florida since the park opened in 1971. […]

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National Railroad Hall of Fame announces 2025 inductees

Logo of the National Railroad Hall of Fame

GALESBURG, Ill. — Former Norfolk Southern CEO David Goode, 1880s Santa Fe President William Strong, and former Santa Fe CEO John Reed are the 2025 inductees to the National Railroad Hall of Fame, the Galesburg-based organization has announced. The honorees were selected by the Hall of Fame’s national Rail Industry Advisory Group from among nine […]

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C&NW No. 1385 successfully test fired

Steam locomotive surrounded by steam.

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum, after nearly 30 years of work, has completed a successful test firing of former Chicago & North Western R1 4-6-0 No. 1385. The locomotive now moves into the final phases of its restoration, with plans to have No. 1385 operational by summer 2026. The test was originally […]

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Atlas Classic HO EMD GP7

Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Atlas Classic HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP7 diesel locomotive. You’ll first learn about the prototype GP7, which was produced from 1949 to 1954, and specifics about Burlington Northern no. 1554, originally Great Northern no. 654. Cody highlights key features like factory-installed MU hoses, body-mounted plastic couplers , and wire grab irons. The review […]

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