News photos: Reading & Northern introduces Semiquincentennial unit

Overhead view of red, white, and blue locomotive

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has repainted one of its locomotives to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. SD40-2 No. 3061, repainted and renumbered to No. 1776, was unveiled on Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day. The flag-based scheme, with its red-and-white striped long hood, blue cab, and 13 stars […]

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Atlas N EMD GP38-2

Color photo of showing engineer's side of cab and short hood on an N scale EMD GP38-2 painted blue and white with black graphics on white background.

Atlas N EMD GP38-2 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $124.95 to $134.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $224.95 to $234.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N EMD GP38-2 features: 2,600- or 3,600-gallon plastic fuel tank as appropriate Body-mounted Accumate couplers Directional, […]

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WalthersProto HO EMD GP7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a closer look at the WalthersProto HO scale EMD GP7. Cody first explores the prototype history of the GP7, noting that Electro-Motive Division produced over 2,700 units between October 1949 and May 1954. The review sample is decorated as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 204, built in September 1951. The model […]

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WalthersProto HO EMD GP7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a closer look at the WalthersProto HO scale EMD GP7. Cody first explores the prototype history of the GP7, noting that Electro-Motive Division produced over 2,700 units between October 1949 and May 1954. The review sample is decorated as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 204, built in September 1951. The model […]

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Lionel Legacy ET44AC

black and white model diesel engine

In April 2024, Lionel announced a newly-tooled, ET44AC diesel-electric locomotive in a standalone catalog. This O-scale, 3-rail model was delivered in September 2025 and has received high praise.  The ET44AC was produced by General Electric and is part of its Evolution Series. The locomotive is compliant with Tier 4 emissions standards, hence the “T” in […]

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Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel with cowl body painted dark blue and black with red and white graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $319.99 Era: 1969+ to 2000+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO EMD F45 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Body-mounted […]

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News & Products for the week of November 10th 2025

An orange and black model locomotive

News & Products for the week of November 10th 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 November 10th, […]

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Wabtec to expand facilities in Brazil

Illustration of building with Wabtec signage and logo

CONTAGEM, Brazil — Wabtec will spend R$20 million ($3.7 million U.S.) to expand operations in Brazil, mostly at its plant in Contagem, Minas Gerais, the company announced this week. At Contagem, the company will build a new Global Engineering Center, its first in Latin America, and has developed a new locomotive production line. The 9,000-square-meter […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E review

Color photo showing cab and short hood of HO scale diesel painted green, white, and black on white background.

As a Burlington Northern fan, I was fired up when ScaleTrains announced it was producing the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP39E in HO scale. The model, part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line, depicts the four-axle road unit in its as-delivered appearance with Quantum Q2000 crossing strobes on the front deck. The full-size version of our […]

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Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel locomotive painted red and gray with white, yellow, and black graphics on white background.

Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $239.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $349.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 features: Detailed cab interior Factory-installed grab irons and handrails MoPower capacitor Multi-piece radiator fans Multiple stepwell styles and […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale BN GP39E

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division GP39E HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is featured in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the unit, which is part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. The reviewed model is decorated as Burlington Northern GP39E No. 2762. This unit has a rich history, […]

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