Spaces to Places V | A new path to the underpass, part 3

In this episode of Spaces to Places, we find host Gerry Leone in the thick of two projects! The main objective of his efforts was to build out the highway underpass and scenery along a layout peninsula. But Gerry also scrambles to complete trackwork reconfiguration that will improved the operation of his HO scale Bona […]

Read More…

A glass factory shelf layout in 10 square feet

A pencil sketch on graph paper of a glass factory shelf layout

A reader’s inquiry to my “Ask MR” column (published earlier on Trains.com) inspired me to sketch a track plan for an HO scale glass factory shelf layout. We published a track plan for a glass factory in our January 2003 issue, but that was a 4 x 8-foot plan, and not everybody can devote 48 square […]

Read More…

Model Railroader After Hours | February 29, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | February 29, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! Host David Popp shares the frame with Trains.com Video Producer Ben Lake. Ben walks through a recent 3D printing effort, before David turns […]

Read More…

Model Railroader After Hours | February 29, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | February 29, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! Host David Popp shares the frame with Trains.com Video Producer Ben Lake. Ben walks through a recent 3D printing effort, before David turns […]

Read More…

PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000

Title screen of Product Review video featuring PIKO America Southern Pacific diesel-hydraulic locomotive.

The much-anticipated PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 diesel-hydraulic locomotive recently toured our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the prototype, points out the various details on the model, and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions. He wraps up the […]

Read More…

PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000

Title screen of Product Review video featuring PIKO America Southern Pacific diesel-hydraulic locomotive.

The much-anticipated PIKO America HO Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 diesel-hydraulic locomotive recently toured our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of the prototype, points out the various details on the model, and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions. He wraps up the […]

Read More…

The best snacks to eat during operating sessions

An operator in a gray shirt watches his locomotive on the upper deck of an HO scale train layout

You’re hosting an operating session with a group of friends. What kind of snacks do you serve? Trains.com staff members chime in with their favorite items.  Trains Associate Editor Bob Lettenberger Good meat sticks from a local butcher shop. They are not too greasy and don’t make a mess when spilled. Honey BBQ is the […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of February 26th 2024

A collection of several model freight cars in different paint schemes

News & Products for the week of February 26th 2024   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 February 26th […]

Read More…

American Model Builders announces closure

After over 40 years of business, American Model Builders Inc. has announced their closure via their website. A statement posted to laserkit.com reads: “American Model Builders is now closed and the LASERkit product line has been discontinued. The family of the late John Hitzeman, founder and owner, and the extended AMB family, would like to […]

Read More…

10 scenery products you should know about

Photo showing gloved hands holding cup with stick guiding resin onto a layout surface.

The evolution of model railroad scenery products has been fun to watch. In prior generations, molded-Styrofoam mountains and scenery mats with dyed green sawdust were considered the norm. Today, we’re blessed with a variety of tools and products that make our layouts look more like what we see when we’re standing trackside. In this article, […]

Read More…