WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9

Side view of HO scale diesel locomotive painted green and yellow on scenicked model railroad with title bar in lower left corner.

A new run of the WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9 was recently released. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road switcher and Central Vermont No. 4445; highlights the detail parts on the ready-to-run model; and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions on the locomotive, which […]

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WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9

Side view of HO scale diesel locomotive painted green and yellow on scenicked model railroad with title bar in lower left corner.

A new run of the WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9 was recently released. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road switcher and Central Vermont No. 4445; highlights the detail parts on the ready-to-run model; and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions on the locomotive, which […]

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UP’s Lincoln locomotive to be displayed in Omaha

Red, maroon, and gray locomotive in shop building

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive will be displayed at baseball’s College World Series, the railroad has announced. The locomotive, along with cars from the UP heritage fleet, will be on display at the railroad’s “Home Plate” location adjacent to Charles Schwab Field, site of the baseball tournament, from noon to 6 […]

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Atlas HO scale Alco RS11

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted black, yellow, and red on white background.

Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $174.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $289.95 Era: 1970 to 1975 (as decorated) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 features: Die-cast metal frame Directional, golden-white light-emitting-diode lighting Factory-installed […]

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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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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 13 | DCC system installation

Even though track wiring is in place, our hosts still need to install a Digital Command Control (DCC) system before trains will run on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! David and Bryson first examine the components of the NCE PH5R Power Pro DCC system before working to integrate the parts […]

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Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7

Color photo of N scale end-cab switcher painted silver and black with red, white, and blue stripes.

Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Stealth (no sound), $189.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder, $259.99 Era: 1949 to 2000s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 features: All-wheel electrical pickup Body-mounted couplers […]

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Sideswipe survivor

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The remains of Santa Fe GP38 No. 3552 lie in a ditch following a sideswipe incident at Booth, Texas, on April 14, 1973. A southbound train struck the rear cars of a northbound train. The subsequent derailment and fire destroyed three GP38s. Steve Patterson photo […]

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Illinois Central SD40 6000

A red and white locomotive

  I have always had a thing for “class units,” that is, the first in a series, and “my engine” is Illinois Central SD40 6000, delivered in late 1967 in the then-new orange and white color scheme. I have a custom-painted HO scale model of it, weathered in that livery. Best of all, during my […]

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Southern Railway FP7 to celebrate 75th anniversary

Green streamlined diesel locomotive at night

SPENCER, N.C. — Former Southern Railway FP7 diesel No. 6133 is turning 75 in 2025, prompting multiple events throughout the year to mark the occasion.  The North Carolina Transportation Museum, owner of the vintage streamlined locomotive, initially offered “At the Throttle” sessions on June 7, 8, 21, and 28. Participants would have the opportunity to […]

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First new CPKC locomotives hit home rails

CALGARY, Alberta— CPKC took delivery of five new Wabtec ET44AC locomotives over the weekend, the first batch of a 100-unit order. All of the Tier 4 locomotives, which are being built at Wabtec’s assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas, are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. CPKC released a video yesterday showing […]

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