How to Model Locomotives

The cover of How to Model Locomotives

PLUS Motivation for motive power Introduction Sound for legacy locomotives – F units A little soldering goes a long way How to detail, paint, and decal a locomotive Give a road switcher a new look How diesel facilities work A lot of work goes on behind the scenes between road trips Speed matching for DCC […]

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Five details you can add to transition-era cabooses

Black-and-white photo of steel caboose with rooftop antenna

We’ll take a look at five details you can add to transition-era cabooses. Some details are railroad-specific, while others apply to many railroads. When in doubt, refer to prototype photos. The steam-to-diesel transition era, roughly 1940 to 1960, is the most popular modeling era. There are several reasons for this. Many people who model this […]

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West Edge 3D assorted figures and details in N scale

West Edge 3D assorted figures and details Scale: N (1:160) Price: Varies (see below) Manufacturer: West Edge 3D, 0412 574 151, westedge3d.com.au Assorted figures and details feature: Full-color, no painting required Printed in UV-cured color resin Release date: Now available Packs: Figures (mixed people, people waiting 1 and 2, summer figures, and young adults), $19.95 […]

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Pullman-Standard 2,750- and 2,960 cubic-foot capacity three-bay hoppers from Atlas

a black three-bay hopper car in the foreground and a red three-bay hopper car in the background

Pullman-Standard 2,750- and 2,960 cubic-foot capacity three-bay hoppers from Atlas Scale: N (1:160) Price: $24.95 Era: 1954 to 1990s (depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-678-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Features: 15 body panels and 16 exterior posts Die-cast metal hopper and center sill construction Optional heap shields Solid- or […]

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Atlas Ford F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks from Atlas

Two green Ford pickup trucks

Atlas Ford F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks Scale: N (1:160) Price: Two-pack, $32.95 Era: 1992+ Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-678-0880; shop.atlasrr.com   Features: Trim packages for XL and XLT trucks Semi-detailed chassis Clear window glazing Release date: Now available Road names: Burlington Northern (green), Amtrak (white with arrow […]

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Wall-mounted billboard three-pack

Model of billboard on the side of a brick wall

Wall-mounted billboard three-pack Scale: N (1:160) Price: $17.98 Era: 1920s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Wall-mounted billboard three-pack features: Newly tooled Parts to build three complete billboards Models a billboard without any lights Printed color signs Release date: Winter 2023 News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com […]

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Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe mechanical reefers from Rapido Trains

Drawing of orange boxcars in different paint schemes

Santa Fe RR-56/60/61 mechanical reefer Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $41.95; four-pack, $167.80 Era: 1955+ (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Santa Fe mechanical reefer features: Separate, factory-applied door posts, door latches, and uncoupling levers Underframe piping and equipment Cushion draft gear detail Positionable roof […]

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Union Pacific General Electric standard turbine from ScaleTrains

Long yellow diesel locomotive and fuel tender

Union Pacific General Electric standard turbine Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct current with Next18 connector – without tender, $144.99; with tender, $189.99. With ESU LokSound 5 Micro Digital Command Control and sound decoder with Full Throttle, Next18 connector, and sugar cube speaker – without tender, $244.99; with tender, $289.99. Era: 1950s to 1962 (varies depending on road number) […]

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N scale Procor 5,820-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper from Rapido

Drawing of covered hoppers in multiple paint schemes

Procor 5820 covered hopper Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $39.95; three-pack, $119.85; six-pack, $239.70 Era: 1977 to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Procor 5820 covered hopper features: Round, round with ribs, or 20” vented cover roof hatches as appropriate Pneumatic or Miner outlet […]

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