Watch trains in action on John Colombo’s N scale Nickel Plate Railroad. Video shot and edited by Steve Hankel. […]
John Colombo’s N scale Nickel Plate Road

Watch trains in action on John Colombo’s N scale Nickel Plate Railroad. Video shot and edited by Steve Hankel. […]
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe depot Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: HO, $195; N, $130 Era: 1934+ Manufacturer: Custom Model Railroads, 3937 Keswick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21211; 410-889-0010; cmrtrain.com Santa Fe depot features: Laser cut acrylic parts Based on an Art Deco-style depot served by the Texas Chief Includes main building and annex […]
BNSF 2022 Model Railroad Photo Contest Model railroaders, it’s time to show off your layouts featuring BNSF or predecessor trains! Post photos or short videos of your model railroad to your Instagram account or in the Friends of BNSF Facebook group no later than midnight Central time on Sunday, Oct. 16. Be sure to include […]
New detail parts Scale: See below Price: 4-foot smokejack (N scale, $.65; HO, $1.15; S, $1.85; and O, $1.85). 8-foot tall brick chimney (N scale, $.85; HO, $1.70; S, $2.15; and O, $2.85). 90-degree smoke pipe with cap (N scale, $.95; HO, $1.35; S, $1.35; and O, $1.95). 200-gallon oil tank (N scale, $1.75; HO, $3.15; and […]
How to re-stencil reporting marks: If you’ve waited at a grade crossing recently, you’ve probably noticed many freight cars with their original reporting marks painted out and new ones applied. This is done because the car’s ownership has changed. Since repainting an entire freight car is costly, patching over old reporting marks is an accepted […]
Modeling a Mountainside | Follow host Kathy Millatt’s Let’s Make a Scene video series on trains.com, to see how she adds bridges, track, rockfall and other final touches to the mountainsides on her seasonal scenery dioramas. Even better, Kathy has also documented many of her expert modeling processes in the Kalmbach Media/Model Railroader book, Building […]
Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $36.95; three-pack, $110.85; and six-pack, $221.70 Era: 1976 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Features Separate, factory-applied uncoupling levers, door latch mechanism, and end ladders Detailed Hydra-Cushion underframe Underbody brake rigging Road-number specific […]
53-foot spine car Scale: N (1:160) Price: Three platform, $119.95 ($99.95 undecorated); five platform, $199.95 ($164.95 undecorated) Era: 1997 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com 53-foot spine car features: Die-cast metal and plastic construction Chemically etched walkways Assembled collapsed or raised hitches BLMA 70-ton American Steel Foundries Ride Control trucks […]
40-foot steel boxcars Scale: N (1:160) Price: Two pack, $54.99; four-pack, $104.99 Era: 1922+ to 1970s (varies depending on railroad) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports LLC, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com 40-foot steel boxcars feature: ABS plastic body and chassis Metal wheelsets Separate, factory-applied doors, running boards, brake wheel, and brake […]
PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: HO, $51.99; N, $36.99 Era: 1965 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper features: Flush or overhanging roof as appropriate Etched metal crossover platforms (HO) and running boards (HO and N) […]
52-foot mill gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: Single car (HO, $37.99; N, $34.99); three-pack (HO, $94.99; N, $89.99). Add $5 for Primed for Grime. Era: 1980s to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 52-foot mill gondola features: Refined end-sheet molded details; upgraded rivet and bolt detail; and new wire […]
40-foot low cube container Scale: HO (1:87.1) an N (1:160) Price: Three-pack, $39.99 Era: Present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 40-foot low cube containers features: Injection-molded plastic Stackable Release date: October 2023 Paint schemes: Capital (dark green); Herc Rentals (gray and yellow); Mobile Modular (tan); Ocean Network Express (Cherry Blossom Magenta with white […]