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Are you searching for inspiration for your next model railroad project? Whether you’re just starting out, have some experience, or are an advanced modeler, we’ve gathered a collection of creative track plans for every skill level to get your creative juices flowing. Based on designs from our staff and fellow model railroad enthusiasts, these plans […]
Athearn Genesis N acid tank car Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $44.99; three-pack, $124.99 Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis N acid tank car features: Based on 13,000-gallon prototype Body-mounted McHenry Type F double-shelf couplers Car operates on codes 40, 55, and 80 track Etched, stainless steel […]
Broadway Limited has released a new run of its N scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel locomotive. The end-cab switcher features a die-cast metal body and chassis, all-wheel electrical pickup, factory-applied detail parts, and body-mounted couplers. The prototype Electro-Motive Division built the NW2 from February 1939 through December 1949. Production was paused from 1942 to 1945 […]
Q: I’m curious why I’ve never seen four 20-foot intermodal containers in a single well car, stacked two on top and two on the bottom. I’ve only ever seen two 20-foot containers in the well and a 40-foot (or larger) container on top. — Benjamin Stewart A: David Lassen, senior editor at Trains magazine, put me […]
Listen in, as Trains.com draws knowledge and hobby insights from established retailer Jack Sommerfeld, owner/operator of Sommerfeld’s Trains & Hobbies in Butler, Wisconsin. Join staff writer Lucas Iverson as he chats with one of the top toy train dealers in the U.S., regarding the success and philosophy of his 40-year-old family-run business; his observations about […]
If you ever find yourself in the Milwaukee area, you may want to take a quick drive north to Butler, Wis., and visit Sommerfeld’s Trains & Hobbies. Don’t let its small size fool you — this brick-and-mortar store is a one-stop shop for a vast range of O gauge products. Owner Jack Sommerfeld, Chief Repair […]
Where has 2025 gone? We’re already into July, which means county fair season is in full swing. Right on its heels, back-to-school sales will begin! Between all of that hustle and bustle, take a few minutes to enjoy the July 2025 episode of Cody’s Office. We have an exciting lineup of products this month. Leading […]
Where has 2025 gone? We’re already into July, which means county fair season is in full swing. Right on its heels, back-to-school sales will begin! Between all of that hustle and bustle, take a few minutes to enjoy the July 2025 episode of Cody’s Office. We have an exciting lineup of products this month. Leading […]
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 […]
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, […]
Tony Koester, author of the popular Trains of Thought column in Model Railroader magazine and editor of MR’s annual publication Model Railroad Planning, was one of four recipients of the 2025 National Model Railroad Association Pioneer in Model Railroading award. The citation on his award read, “Author of regular articles in the hobby press and […]
Price: Flatcar only, $43.99; flatcar with 45-foot trailer, $69.99 Manufacturer Athearn Trains 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 athearn.com Road names: Trailer Train (mineral red and yellow schemes), Kansas City Southern, and Southern Pacific. Three road numbers per scheme (two without trailer, one with). Era: 1960s+ to 1990s+ (varies by paint scheme) Comments: Athearn recently […]
