December 2023

The January 2024 cover of Model Railroader

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Yes, there are still trains under the tree NEWS AND PRODUCTS, pg. 10 Atlas N scale Alco S4 reviewed, plus the latest new products ASK MR, pg. 18 The mystery of the overhead bunker reefer STEP BY […]

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Sir Rod Stewart, Jools Holland announce collaborative album

Sir Rod Stewart, Jools Holland announce collaborative album: Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland, legendary musicians who first bonded over their shared passion for model railroading, have announced a collaborative album titled ‘Swing Fever’ due to release in February of 2024. The pair of artists will be joined on this collaborative album by Jools’ Rhythm […]

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News & Products for the week of December 4th 2023

Two model freight cars in a red paint scheme

News & Products for the week of December 4th 2023   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 December 4th […]

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The Amtrak ‘Auto Train’ throughout the years

close up of silver Auto Train on tracks

From Auto-Train to Amtrak Auto Train Today’s Auto Train is a stellar option for people looking to travel long distances with their car in tow between northern Virginia and central Florida. Amtrak’s marketing slogan on its website is “Take Your Car on an Auto Train Road Trip.” Those traveling in sleeping cars receive traditional dining-car […]

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Meet Dominic Bourgeois

vintage photo of model train layout

Meet Dominic Bourgeois What was your first train set (or locomotive)? I was only 6 years old and so I don’t quite remember, but I’m reasonably confident that it was a Model Power set that included a Baldwin “Shark” diesel painted in the Canadian National striped scheme and maybe two cars, a caboose, and a […]

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Otter Valley Railroad HO bulkhead flatcar

Color ¾ view of HO scale bulkhead flatcar.

The FreightCar America (FCA) 52-foot, 100-ton bulkhead flatcar with side stakes is the third HO scale freight car released by Otter Valley Railroad, a hobby shop located in Tillsonburg, Ont. Features on the newly tooled model include an injection-molded plastic body, die-cast metal underbody, and trucks with rotating bearing caps. The prototype We received two […]

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Rapido Trains HO scale RS18u

Title screen of Rapido Trains HO scale RS18u Product Review video

A sample of the Rapido Trains HO scale RS18u diesel locomotive recently arrived at our offices. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor as he takes a closer look at CP Rail No. 1826. He’ll point out features on the model, demonstrate some of the sound and light functions, and use the locomotive to power a short […]

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The Green River layout in HO scale

The Green River layout is impressive. After all, at 33 x 44 feet, there’s a lot to be impressed with. Hilton Glavish, the owner of the layout, began modeling the Wyoming Division of the Union Pacific, from Echo Canyon to Green River in the 1950s, in 2012. “In 2008, I drove the road from Ogden […]

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Creating a model railroaders hall of fame

a man in an overcoat waves from the door of a steam locomotive in a black and white image

Model Railroader is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024, so there’s a lot of history there, with all kinds of innovations, great layouts, and amazing products. One thing there hasn’t been is a model railroaders hall of fame. It’s time to do something about it, so this year, we’re going to nominate people we think […]

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In Memoriam: Mark Gurries

Picture of Mark Gurries next to DCC equipment

Mark Gurries, a noted expert in the use of NCE’s DCC system, passed away on November 25, 2023, after health complications. He was 62 years old. Contributing editor Tony Koester had this to say about his passing: “Mark was a very bright and extremely helpful individual who helped many of us with thorny little, sometimes […]

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