Meet Steve Bittinger

two model engines on track

How did you get started in the hobby? I was born into railroading. My mother was pregnant with me while she was working as a freight clerk for the Western Maryland Railway. When I was a bit less than a year old, my mother returned to work and the wife of the railroad’s chief freight […]

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Meet Bryson Sleppy

An image of a man in a blue polo shirt standing in the Model Railroader workshop

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? I’ll answer this one in two parts: locomotive and set. You may have already read on Trains.com or the Winter 2023 issue of Classic Toy Trains that my first model train locomotive was a Lionel Santa Fe Alco. That’s right, just Alco, with no model designation. The […]

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Scratchbuilt locomotive model donated to railroad museum

model of electric train

The Northern Ohio Railway Museum (NORM) has received a one-of-a-kind model from a late Garden Railways contributor. The family of the late Dr. Evan Roderick recently donated a 1:29 scale model of Cleveland Union Terminal P1-a locomotive No. 204. Mr. Roderick passed away in 2008. In late 2023, his family contacted several Cleveland area museums, […]

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Classic Toy Trains April 2024 new products

black and orange model engine

Locomotives & rolling stock MTH has a series of Halloween items as part of their RailKing line. The O gauge ES44AC Imperial Diesel Engine (20-21237) has Proto-Sound 3, 2 handpainted cab figures, illuminated LED number boards and ditch lights, O-31 operation, and more. Price: $439.95. Also available is a Bump-n-Go Trolley (30-5243), which features LED […]

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News & Products for the week of April 1st 2024

A model tank car in a black paint scheme

News & Products for the week of April 1st 2024   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 1st […]

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Preview CTT April and May 2024 content

two unmodified wheelsets side by side

We’re always adding new content to our website. Here’s some recent items you may have missed. 4 components to consider before building a layout You’ve learned a few things about toy trains, and maybe even bought a few items or pieces of track. You have a spare room and would like to build a layout. […]

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News & Products for the week of March 25th 2024

A model locomotive in a blue and yellow paint scheme

News & Products for the week of March 25th 2024   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 March 25th […]

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MTH announces four holiday flatcars

snowmen on flatcar

MTH Electric Trains has announced four holiday-themed flatcars in 1:32 scale for 2024. Each car features metal wheels and axles, choice of knuckle or hook and loop couplers, Kadee compatible coupler mounting pads, separate metal handrails, and more. Each car features colorful lighting. Price: $199.95. Learn more at https://mthtrains.com. Find more news on our website. […]

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News & Products for the week of March 18th 2024

A model freight car in a green paint scheme

News & Products for the week of March 18th 2024   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 March 18th […]

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Rapido Trains announces US tour

A map of the United States showing various stops along the Rapido Trains US tour

Rapido Trains has announced a tour across the continental United States. The tour, which began on March 17th at the California Southern Model Railroad Club in Los Angeles, will make stops at model railroad clubs, rail museums, and hobby shops from California to Michigan en route to Rapido Trains headquarters in Toronto. Per a statement […]

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Hattons legacy to live on under Rails of Sheffield

An illustration of two hands shaking against an orange background with text which reads "Hattons is now part of the Rails family!"

Rails of Sheffield has announced that it has bought the Hattons brand, allowing the famed company’s legacy to live on for years to come. Per a statement released by Rails of Sheffield: “We are pleased to annnounce that we have now brought ‘Hattons Model Railways’ into the Rails family! It was a shock to the […]

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