An all-new-under-the-hood locomotive

MRRNS1116_01

Jim’s N scale Atlas GP30 is all new under the hood thanks to a newer DCC-ready mechanism. A bonus was the new drivers. The nickel-silver plating had worn off the treads on the old locomotive, and they were difficult to keep clean. A few weeks back I pulled an Atlas N scale GP30 locomotive off […]

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Video review Atlas HO scale GE Dash 8-40BW

    In this exclusive video review for Model Railroader, James Wright of the JWLII2000 YouTube channel unboxes, tests, and runs a new HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40BW from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The diesel locomotive model features an ESU LokSound Select Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound decoder. Check out this video as […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 5

Glasses wearing man holding a tray of scale of organized scale lumber pieces.

Gerry Leone is really rolling off-track this time! In this episode, he’s managed to find a hobby application for fingernail polish. Yep, it’s the boldest and brightest red color too! You won’t want to miss seeing how this plays out, along with the other helpful tips he imparts each and every time he goes Off […]

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Structures and backdrops on the HO scale Eagle Mountain RR

Eric White next to Eagle Mountain Railroad

As the Model Railroader staff’s Eagle Mountain RR project nears completion, associate editor Eric White turns his attention to the structures and backdrops that finish off the desert setting. Get an overview of the kits used on the model train layout and some tips for working with preprinted backdrops on a model train layout. […]

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Atlas HO scale GP38 diesel locomotive

Atlas HO scale GP38 diesel locomotive

Atlas HO scale GP38 diesel locomotive I heard the realistic rumble of the Electro-Motive Division 645 diesel engine when I set the Atlas HO scale GP38 on the rails of our test track. The biggest upgrade of this latest release of the GP38 is that it now comes factory-equipped with an ESU LokSound Select dual-mode […]

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Kato HO scale SD40-2 diesel locomotive

Kato HO scale SD40-2 diesel locomotive

Kato HO scale SD40-2 diesel locomotive All the detail parts, including grab irons and windshield wipers, are factory applied on the Kato HO scale mid-production SD40-2. The Kato SD40-2 features well-defined molded detail are prototypically placed detail parts. The Kato mid-production Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 features notable enhancements over the early-production SD40-2 reviewed in our August […]

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Quick Look: Bachmann Trains N scale heavyweight coach

Bachmann Trains N scale heavyweight coach

Price: $79 Manufacturer Bachmann Trains 1400 E. Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 www.bachmanntrains.com Era: 1930s to 1980 Comments: Looking to add a night train to your N scale passenger fleet? Bachmann Trains has released a ready-to-run N scale heavyweight coach with factory-installed overhead interior lighting. The model is an N scale version of the HO […]

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Quick Look: Walthers HO Gunderson rebuilt 40-foot all-purpose well car

Walthers HO Gunderson rebuilt 40-foot all-purpose well car

Walthers HO Gunderson rebuilt 40-foot all-purpose well car Price: $39.98 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 www.walthers.com Road names: TTX (DTTX reporting marks with and without “Forward Thinking” slogan under modern TTX logo) and Northwestern Oklahoma (two road numbers). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Era: 2008 to present […]

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Railroad Line Models HO scale Pete’s Garage kit

Railroad Line Models HO scale Pete's Garage kit

Railroad Line Models HO scale Pete’s Garage kit The kit contains laser-cut parts in many materials: matboard, plastic, wood, cardboard, and paper. The Railroad Line Models kit is available in O, S, HO, and N scales. Pete’s Garage, one of the initial ­offerings from Railroad Line Models, is an easy-to-assemble kit that would fit on […]

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