Understanding N scale couplers

Color photo of N scale freight car truck with Micro-Trains Line Co. Magne-Matic knuckle coupler

Q: I have gone to train shows and garage sales and bought many N scale cars with all sorts of different couplers. I am trying to create my own standard and stick with the majority of people with N scale rolling stock. I know there are many vendors out there. Can you help me sort […]

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News & Products for the week of August 18th 2025

A green and yellow model locomotive

News & Products for the week of August 18th 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 August 18th, […]

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SD units on branch lines

Color photo of HO scale EMD hood unit painted orange and black on scenicked base with sky backdrop.

Q: In the May 2025 Ask MR, the answer to a question about early diesel power for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy included this statement: “For road power, the MR&T would most likely turn to four-axle units, such as the Alco RS1 through RS3 and EMD GP7 and GP9. It’s possible the MR&T could have […]

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ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, yellow, and gray with black trucks and fuel tank on scenicked HO scale layout. Title for video is shown in lower left corner.

The ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M, a modern six-axle road locomotive, is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the full-size units and Norfolk Southern No. 4000; shows the many separate, factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

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ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, yellow, and gray with black trucks and fuel tank on scenicked HO scale layout. Title for video is shown in lower left corner.

The ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M, a modern six-axle road locomotive, is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the full-size units and Norfolk Southern No. 4000; shows the many separate, factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

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Why won’t my N scale freight cars roll?

Color photo of N scale wheelsets in packaging

Q: I have some N scale cars from Micro-Trains. Recently, I swapped out the factory-installed plastic wheelsets with metal wheelsets, but now the cars don’t roll freely. What can I do to fix this? — Kelly Walton-Harper A: Metal wheelsets aren’t one-size-fits all. The first thing you’ll want to check is wheel size, as it’s […]

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ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M diesel

Photo of HO scale diesel painted blue, white, yellow, gray, and black on white background.

ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $225; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder two cube-type speakers, and ESU-designed PowerPack with two super capacitors, $335 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M features: Factory-applied snow plow, m.u. hoses, train line hose, […]

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News & Products for the week of June 23rd 2025

A red model hopper car

News & Products for the week of June 23rd 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 June 23rd, […]

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News & Products for the week of June 16th 2025

Two model locomotives, one in a blue paint scheme and one in a black paint scheme

News & Products for the week of June 16th 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 June 16th, […]

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News & Products for the week of June 9th 2025

A model passenger train on elevated track

News & Products for the week of June 9th 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 June 9th, […]

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ScaleTrains HO Thrall 86-foot high-cube boxcar

Color photo of HO scale boxcar painted red, silver, and black with white and black graphics on white background

ScaleTrains HO Thrall 86-foot high-cube boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $55.95 Era: 1964 to 2010s Manufacturer: ScaleTrains.com Inc., 4901 Old Tasso Rd. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com   ScaleTrains HO Thrall 86-foot high-cube boxcar features: 33” machined metal wheelsets All-new model Body-mounted die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E couplers Double 10-foot plug doors with […]

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