Host Gerry Leone returns to the upper deck of his HO scale Bona Vista layout to tackle a “flat” problem. Watch as Gerry expands a tiny drainage creek into a wider, deeper river to add much-needed vertical relief. You’ll see him cut through sub-roadbed, repurpose deck girder bridges from a previous layout, and secure a new river […]
2025 marked another great year for new releases in model railroading. Whatever your scale or discipline in the hobby, odds are good that there was a new release that caught your eye and had you reaching for your wallet. As we look forward to 2026, Eric White, Cody Grivno, Lucas Iverson, and David Popp take […]
Rapido Trains recently announced several HO scale GO Transit models to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Toronto-area transit service in 2027. Offerings will include a General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) GP40TC, FP7 Auxiliary Power Control Unit (APCU), and Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 single-level commuter cars, as well as boxed sets. Leading things off is the […]
Tour the HO scale Union Pacific Geneva Subdivision, Eric Lalonde’s impressive 17 x 25-foot multi-deck modern layout depicting the former Chicago & North Western line between West Chicago and Clinton, Iowa. The triple-deck design features a 210-foot mainline connected by a custom 5 x 5-foot helix. The wall-mounted benchwork supports Atlas code 83 and 100 […]
Athearn HO Wheeling & Lake Erie EMD SD40-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $214.99; with SoundTraxx Econami sound decoder, $294.99 Era: Late 2010s+ to 2025+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Wheeling & Lake Erie EMD SD40-2 features: […]
On the final day of 2025 and the Trains.com seasonal mini-series, David Popp transforms the Alturas & Lone Pine boxcar from a pristine model into a grimy road warrior. Using three colors and a double-action airbrush, David demonstrates how to achieve realistic weathering in under an hour. Join David as he shares expert techniques, from […]
Q: I have several On30 locomotives with Digital Command Control (DCC), but was recently gifted a passenger set that has a direct-current (DC) locomotive. If some DCC locomotives are sitting on the track, can I use a DC transformer to operate the DC engine on the same track without damaging the DCC locomotives? What would […]
On the fourth day around Christmas, David Popp shares professional tips for building a vehicle maintenance facility. He moves beyond basic instructions to demonstrate plastic part preparation, from using flush-cutting pliers to sanding away stubborn ejector pin marks. Learn how to ensure rock-solid wall alignment using a framing square and solvent-based adhesives—while protecting yourself with […]
News & Products for the week of December 29th 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 29th, 2025. […]
On the third day of the Trains.com seasonal mini-series, David Popp resuscitates a shed that has been roofless for two years. Using self-adhesive diamond-tab shingles, David demonstrates how to transform cardstock structures with ease. Follow along as David shares expert shortcuts, including using a spacing guide for perfect rows and splicing leftover scraps for seamless […]
Wm. K. Walthers Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of model railroad products based in Milwaukee, Wis., recently announced that it’s sponsoring the Pacific Southern Ry., an HO scale model railroad club in Rocky Hill, N.J. “We’re pleased to support the Pacific Southern Railway and help elevate awareness of model railroading,” said Stacey Walthers Naffah, president […]
On Day Two of the Trains.com seasonal mini-series, this episode features a long-awaited workbench rescue as David Popp finally applies custom decals to a boxcar two years in the making! Moving away from finicky dry transfers, David demonstrates the ease of using water-slide decals to bring the Alturas & Lone Pine Railroad to life. Join […]
