A look at the Atlas P42 locomotive

blue and silver model locomotive

The latest Premier locomotive from Atlas has hit the shelves! The P42 Genesis locomotive was developed from a previous MTH tooling that Atlas O acquired during the MTH tooling sale three or so years ago. This O gauge Premier line model sports some great Amtrak paint schemes The P42 was expected to be announced in […]

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Steam’s next young guns

Black and white group photo in front of narrow-gauge steam locomotive.

“Who is going to keep steam alive in the 21st century? Who are the young guns?” These were the questions asked in Erik G. Ledbetter’s Steam’s young guns from Trains’ May 2006 issue as well as the 2008-aired episode of PBS’ Tracks Ahead. Having had opportunities to cut my teeth in the steam preservation movement […]

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Norfolk & Western 611 Update

After almost twenty years on static display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Va., Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 returned to operation in 2015.  Her time on the mainline was very brief though, lasting only three years.  Since then, new venues have been needed to operate the large engine.  Let’s get […]

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HO scale freight car kit roundup

Color image of three HO scale freight cars on kit boxes.

When I got into model railroading as a kid in the 1980s, factory-decorated HO scale freight car kits were the industry norm. I remember staring in awe at the shelves at McGiffin’s in Grand Forks, N.D., and Bader’s in Moorhead, Minn., two of the larger shops near my hometown, which were lined high and wide […]

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Diesel locomotives by generation

Color photo of HO scale passenger engine in green and yellow paint.

If you’ve read stories about diesel locomotives on Trains.com or in Kalmbach Media’s railroad magazines and books, you’ve most likely seen references to diesel locomotives by generation. But what does generation mean? Unlike automobiles, locomotive manufacturers don’t bring out new models each year. The same basic locomotive model can stay in production for years – […]

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Checking out the 3rd Rail GP9 locomotive

3rd Rail GP9 locomotive

The 3rd Rail GP9 locomotive models the durable first-generation diesel-electric workhorse. The follow-on to the GP7, it was perhaps the exclamation point on the phrase, “Steam is gone and it’s not coming back!” General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division produced a whopping 4,257 including 165 cabless units between 1954 and 1963. GP stands  for “general purpose” and […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD SD40

Screen shot of Broadway Limited Imports HO scale SD40 Product Review video.

A Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD SD40 decorated in Southern Ry.’s “tuxedo” scheme paid a visit to our Wisconsin & Southern staff layout. Join Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno as they talk about the features on the six-axle road locomotive and run a train on MR’s WSOR staff layout. In addition to Southern Ry., […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD SD40

Screen shot of Broadway Limited Imports HO scale SD40 Product Review video.

A Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD SD40 decorated in Southern Ry.’s “tuxedo” scheme paid a visit to our Wisconsin & Southern staff layout. Join Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno as they talk about the features on the six-axle road locomotive and run a train on MR’s WSOR staff layout. In addition to Southern Ry., […]

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Amtrak’s California day-trip services

Passenger train running along beach

California can lay claim as one of the nation’s top rail passenger capitals. Amtrak is a key player in the Golden State, with three state-supported regional trains connecting multiple metropolitan areas. From the capital city of Sacramento to the beaches in San Diego, here are some great Amtrak day trips you can take in California. […]

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Summer travel tips for heritage railroads

Steam-powered passenger train with wooden coaches. Heritage Railroad Summer Travel Tips

Travel tips for heritage railroads North America has a plethora of classic railroading to offer and the summer travel season is the busiest time for many heritage railroads across the country. Yet, each railroad makes its own schedule and days of operation. So careful advanced planning can help make the most your railroad visits and […]

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K-Line O gauge Amtrak F40PH

K-Line O gauge Amtrak F40PH

The K-Line O gauge Amtrak F40PH has launched fans of the National Passenger Rail Corp. into heaven. Not only are there a host of toy-like Amtrak engines and cars available, there has also been a virtual explosion of scale and semi-scale gear in the colors of their favorite federal program. If the E8 is a […]

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