The Sun Parlour Lines layout in HO scale

A track plans for the Sun Parlour Lines model railroad layout

Facts and features Name: Sun Parlour Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 41 feet Prototype: Chesapeake & Ohio and New York Central Locale: southern Ontario Era: September 1955 Style: around the walls Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 28″ (main line), 22″ (hidden loop) Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main line) Maximum grade: 2.5% Benchwork: […]

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News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025

Color photo showing group of HO scale three-bay covered hoppers with exterior posts in various paint schemes on white background.

News & Products for the week of December 15th 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 15th, 2025. HO […]

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Atlas Classic HO EMD GP7

Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Atlas Classic HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP7 diesel locomotive. You’ll first learn about the prototype GP7, which was produced from 1949 to 1954, and specifics about Burlington Northern no. 1554, originally Great Northern no. 654. Cody highlights key features like factory-installed MU hoses, body-mounted plastic couplers , and wire grab irons. The review […]

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Atlas Classic HO EMD GP7

Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Atlas Classic HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP7 diesel locomotive. You’ll first learn about the prototype GP7, which was produced from 1949 to 1954, and specifics about Burlington Northern no. 1554, originally Great Northern no. 654. Cody highlights key features like factory-installed MU hoses, body-mounted plastic couplers , and wire grab irons. The review […]

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News & Products for the week of December 8th 2025

Color photo showing nose of HO passenger locomotive painted black, dark blue, yellow, and gray on scenicked base with a sky background with clouds.

News & Products for the week of December 8th 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 8th, 2025. […]

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The 2-8-4 Berkshire-type steam locomotive

Nickel Plate Road

It isn’t much of a stretch to proclaim the 2-8-4 Berkshire-type steam locomotive as the “poster child” of the Super Power era of steam locomotives. “Berkshire,” “Kanawha,” “Big Emma” — regardless of what they were called, the wheel configuration helped advance steam technology through size, speed, and power. The development of the Berkshire all started […]

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Rapido HO EMD E8 diesel locomotive

Color photo showing nose of HO scale six-axle cab unit painted red, white, and blue with star on nose on white background.

Rapido HO EMD E8 diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct current — E8A, $249.95; E8mA/E8mB set, $469.95. With ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder — E8A, $369.95; E8mA/E8mB set, $689.95. Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO EMD E8 diesel locomotive features: 36” fan, 48” fan, or non-dynamic brake […]

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Atlas N scale General Electric U33B

Color photo of four-axle N scale diesel locomotive painted maroon and yellow with white graphics on white background.

Atlas N scale General Electric U33B Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $159.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $274.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N scale General Electric U33B features: AAR-B or Blomberg trucks, as appropriate All-new tooling Body-mounted Accumate plastic couplers […]

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Rapido N Santa Fe mechanical reefer review

Color photo showing brake end of steel refrigerator car painted yellow with brown roof and black underbody on white background.

Looking for something cool to add to your N scale freight car fleet? Then you’ll want to check out the Santa Fe Refrigerator Department (SFRD) class RR-56, RR-60, and RR-61 mechanical reefers from Rapido Trains. The models feature plastic construction, factory-applied details, and body-mounted couplers. Prototype history The 2,995-cubic-foot capacity class RR-56 cars (SFRD 2000-2019, […]

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News & Products for the week of December 1st 2025

Color illustration of modern N scale diesel painted Tuscan Red and black with white and gold graphics on white background.

News & Products for the week of December 1st 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 1st, 2025. […]

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The N scale Milwaukee Road North Montana Line

When I cut a hole in the living room wall in order to expand my N scale railroad into the hallway beyond, I thought that was as large a model railroad as I would ever own. I was just happy that my wife agreed to my bizarre suggestion (see “Harlowton, Montana, in N scale,” ­Model […]

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