Athearn HO scale EMD GP38-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $229.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $329.99 Era: 1970s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO scale EMD GP38-2 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Body-mounted […]
Louisville & Nashville GP40 no. 3002 and U23B no. 2737 pass over the Powell River on John Wilkes’ HO scale L&N Thornhill Division. John models the railroad’s coal operations in eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia between 1968 and 1978. Paul Dolkos photo Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades […]
Walthers HO ACF 5250 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98 Era: 1960s to 2000s Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO ACF 5250 covered hopper features: 36” turned-metal wheels on plastic axles All-new tooling from rails to roof Based on prototypes used to haul plastic […]
The following is a series of edited excerpts from an interview conducted by David Popp with Jason Shron, owner and CEO of Rapido Trains Inc. on May 20, 2025 on the subject of United States tariffs in relation to the model train industry. You can find the complete interview on Trains.com Video by clicking here. […]
The Chesapeake & Ohio was known for its large steam locomotives and tried to head off converting to diesels with three massive M-1 class coal-fired steam-turbine electrics. Here we see one of the turbines taking on coal at Clifton Forge, Va. Jeb Kriigel of Palmyra, Va., scratchbuilt the coal tower and photographed the O scale […]
See the General Motors Diesel Ltd. SD50F from Aurora Miniatures North America in action our HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound in our latest product review video. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the six-axle road locomotive and Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western 5454; points out the many factory-applied details on the […]
Q: What website is best for finding prototype photos of freight cars to help with realistic weathering? — Jim Veronico A: Though some websites are certainly better than others, I’m reluctant to declare a single website as the “best” for finding prototype freight car photos. Over the years, I’ve found that using multiple sites helps […]
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe was the first railroad to order Electro-Motive Corp. FTs, and four of them are seen here leading an extra (note the white flags on the lead unit) through Starkville, Colo. The scene was on the late David Haines’ N scale AT&SF layout. Bill Pearce took the photo. Model Railroader‘s […]
Athearn N 45-foot Fruehauf trailer Scale: N (1:160) Price: $31.99 Era: 1970s to 2000s Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn N 45-foot Fruehauf trailer features: Factory-applied mud flaps Factory-printed builder’s plates on sides and ends Free-rolling plastic tire and wheel assemblies One-piece injection-molded plastic body Red rear-facing lights and […]
With the sun just about to set, Charlie Comstock photographed a Southern Pacific local switching cars in Jallen. The workload is pretty light, so SD7 no. 5327 will be sufficient power for today’s train. Charlie, of Hillsboro, Ore., took the photo outdoors on his HO scale Timesaver switching layout. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day […]
News & Products for the week of May 26th 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 May 26th, […]
Hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy take a swing at the curves! Specifically, the process required to install sections of flexible track around the arching mainline, sidings, and spurs on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. Follow their insightful instructions for making free-flowing, yet reliable trackwork on your next model railroad! […]
