Conowingo Models caboose No. three

Caboose no. three: A blue caboose against a blue sky and green grass

Conowingo Models caboose No. three Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $33.00 Manufacturer:  Conowingo Models; conowingomodels.com Conowingo Models Bobber boxcar features: LaBelle trucks Plastic wheels Laser-cut wood construction Board-on-board deck 3D-printed smoke jack Tichy Train Group windows and stirrups Conowingo Railroad decals included Kadee couplers and coupler boxes Release date: Available now News & Products is a regular feature […]

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Athearn PS-2 2003 covered hopper

A gray model freight car illustration against a white background

Athearn PS-2 2003 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $34.99 individual; three-pack, $94.99 Era: 1956+ (varies by paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com PS-2 2003 covered hopper features: Injection-molded plastic body Photo-etched roof walks Metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Minimum radius, 18” Release […]

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Should you include graffiti on your layout?

an enclosed auto rack sits next to a black boxcar on an adjacent track, both with graffiti on them

Should you include graffiti on your layout? When we set out to build our model worlds, one of the questions we end up answering is how realistic we want to be. This answer is defined by what we decide to include, and what we chose to ignore. Most of these choices will create little controversy, […]

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Pacific Car & Foundry 50-foot boxcar from Athearn Genesis

A green model boxcar against a white background

Pacific Car & Foundry 50-foot boxcar from Athearn Genesis Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $49.99 Era: 1960s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Pacific Car & Foundry 50-foot boxcar features: Separate wireform grab irons, etched metal coupler platforms, and/or etched metal roofwalk as appropriate Underframe detail including […]

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Rapido Electro-Motive Division E8 Amtrak No. 4316

An image of a black model locomotive against a lbue sky background

Rapido Electro-Motive Division E8 Amtrak No. 4316 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: With dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $399.95 Era: 1971 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Electro-Motive Division E8 Amtrak No. 4316 features: Plastic and etched-metal details Unique nose with missing MU door Correct back ends, […]

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HO scale Bobber boxcar from Conowingo Models

A red model boxcar is shown on model railroad tracks outdoors

Bobber boxcar from Conowingo Models Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $30.00 Manufacturer:  Conowingo Models; conowingomodels.com Conowingo Models Bobber boxcar features: LaBelle truck frame Board-on-board interior deck Can be modeled with open or closed doors Plastic wheels Laser-cut wood Conowingo Railroad decals included Kadee couplers and coupler boxes Release date: Available now News & Products is a regular feature […]

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Athearn Genesis HO scale General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper

A Tuscan Red hopper car is shown from the side, front and back against a white background

Athearn Genesis General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.99; two-pack, $104.99 Era: 1953+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper features: Three different body styles Detailed underbody including outlet piping Gravity or gravity-pneumatic […]

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Broadway Limited 70-ton four-bay hopper in N scale

Four black freight hopper cars with load against a white background

Broadway Limited 70-ton four-bay hopper in N scale Scale: N (1:160) Price: Six-pack, $139.99 Era: 1930s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited 70-ton four-bay hopper features: Detailed bay interiors Removable coal loads Separately-applied details Compatible with code 55, 70, 83, & […]

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Broadway Limited HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD45

A green locomotive against a blue sky background.

Broadway Limited HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $399.99 Era: 1965 to present Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 broadway-limited.com Electro-Motive Division SD45 features: Two prototype-specific short hood variations Separately-applied wire grab irons, lift rings, and other details Etched-metal radiator fans and grills Light-emitting-diode lighting with […]

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Athearn Genesis National Steel Car 6400 gondola

A green gondola freight car is shown from the side, rear and front

Athearn Genesis National Steel Car 6400 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $64.9; two-pack, $109.99 Era: 2012 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com National Steel Car 6400 gondola features: Multiple body styles, end variations, top chords, and ladder variations Brass stirrup steps Metal […]

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Athearn Genesis General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive

A model locomotive in a green and red Ferromex paint scheme

Athearn Genesis General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $269.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $369.99 Era: 1995+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric AC4400CW features: Light-Emitting Diode lighting including illuminated number boards, ground lights, […]

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Steve Stewart, co-founder of Stewart Hobbies, dies at 79

Portrait of man with glasses

In Memoriam: Steve Stewart. Steven “Steve” John Stewart of Chalfont, Pa., passed away on November 20, 2022, after enduring life with Parkinson’s disease for many years. Originally from Ambler, Pa., Steve began his early career in Salisbury, Md.,, teaching American history in the public school system for almost 30 years. A devoted educator, he was […]

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