News & Products for the week of September 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 September 29th, […]
Era: 2000 - Present
WalthersProto HO EMD NW2
WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct current with factory-installed speaker, $219.98; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $319.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 features: All-new tooling Association of American Railroads Type A sideframes Cab interior with seats and crew […]
Sunset Models announces production partnership with Third & Townsend Models
Sunset Models 3rd Rail has announced a partnership with Third & Townsend Models, marking a shift in the company’s operations. Jay Escamilla of Third & Townsend will now oversee all production for Sunset Models and Golden Gate Depot projects. Scott Mann, CEO of Sunset Models Inc., announced he will enter a phase of semi-retirement in […]
WalthersProto HO scale test car
WalthersProto HO scale test car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com WalthersProto HO scale test car features: 33” metal wheels Covered or exposed wheel bearings Die-cast metal body Factory-installed wire grab irons Multiple photo-etched brass placards as appropriate Road-name-specific reporting marks, stencils, […]
Rapido N Santa Fe mechanical refrigerator cars
Rapido N Santa Fe mechanical refrigerator cars Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $41.95; four-pack, $167.80 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Features on Rapido N Santa Fe mechanical refrigerator cars: Detailed cushion draft gear Detailed underframe including piping and equipment Etched-metal running boards See-through side grills Separate, factory-applied door […]
News & Products for the week of September 22nd 2025
News & Products for the week of September 22nd 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 September 22nd, […]
Modify an AC powered layout to run a LionChief locomotive
My son was quite proud of the Lionel FT diesel (No. 2334110) he purchased for me as a birthday gift. Unfortunately, the newer locomotive is LionChief, which needs a constant 18 volts of DC (Direct Current), with the center rail being positive. My layout was exclusively AC (Alternating Current). Here’s what I did to be […]
ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E
ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $204.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, two cube-type speakers, and an ESU-designed “PowerPack” with two super capacitors, $314.99. Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E features features: 81” EMD Spartan-type replacement short […]
ScaleTrains HO Trinity 7500 high-cube boxcar
ScaleTrains HO Trinity 7500 high-cube boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains Trinity 7500 high-cube boxcar features: 36” machined metal wheels with .110” wheel tread ASF Motion Control 110-ton trucks with raised foundry data; rotating Timken three-sided bearing caps (blue or black as […]
Tangent HO PS2-CD 4750 covered hopper
Tangent HO PS2-CD 4750 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $67.95 (quantity discounts for direct purchases from manufacturer) Era: 1980 to present (Varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Tangent Scale Models, P.O. Box 6514, Asheville, NC 28816; 828-412-3886; tangentscalemodels.com Tangent HO PS2-CD 4750 covered hopper features: Barber S-2 100-ton roller-bearing trucks or Barber S-2 100-ton […]
NJ Transit offers one-day shuttles to United Railroad Historical Society event
BOOTON, N.J. — NJ Transit will be operating a special, one-day shuttle service on Sept. 28, 2025, to connect Denville and Boonton, thus facilitating access to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey’s annual Railroad Museum [for a day] event. This temporary service aims to accommodate and attract event attendees who’re looking to travel […]
Former Michigan Central coaling tower demolished
MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA — Demolition experts wasted little time in dismantling the top of the former Michigan Central coaling tower that straddles Amtrak’s Michigan line, which normally hosts Wolverine and Blue Water trains. The process of crushing this fortress and another one on Michigan-owned track west of Augusta, Mich., between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, has […]
