Model a pike-size passenger train

Color photo of three-car passenger train with blue truck in front of last car.

When you think of Burlington Northern, passenger service may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But from March 2, 1970 (Burlington Northern’s first day) to April 30, 1971 (the day before Amtrak started operations), the railroad offered passenger service. Among the name trains were the Empire Builder, Mainstreeter, North Coast Limited, and […]

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Our favorite eras

Color photo of maroon and white diesel locomotive.

Railroads have been around for almost 200 years, so there’s a lot of history we can choose from to model our favorite eras. While it can be hard to focus on just one era, we may find we gravitate to one favorite. For many modelers, it’s the era we experienced when we were first exposed […]

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Rapido Trains HO General Electric U25B

Title screen from Product Review video featuring HO scale road locomotive painted blue and yellow.

Samples of the newly tooled Rapido Trains HO General Electric U25B diesel locomotive recently arrived at the Model Railroader offices. Join senior editor Cody Grivno as he points out features on the road units, demonstrates some of the sound and light functions, and operates a short freight train. We received samples decorated for Atchison, Topeka […]

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What tools does a model railroader need?

A modeler surrounded by an assortment of tools checks the wheel gauge on a locomotive

What tools does a model railroader need? Q: What are the tools needed to take an empty room to a full working model railroad? My focus is to build a layout with the best scenery, from streets to tall mountains and everything in between. – Carroll Shirkey, Seattle, Wash.  A: Many beginners are left wondering […]

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Simplifying body-mounted couplers

MRRNS0720_01

Simplifying body-mounted couplers: Former editor Neil Besougloff used to accuse me of trying to convert all N scale modelers to using body-mounted couplers. He was joking – I think – but I’m not mounting such a campaign. For 90 percent of you, using truck-mounted, body-mounted, or a mix of both would make little difference. Your […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 15 | All in the details

In this session, Host David Popp promises to finish the work on the passenger car project! That includes paying careful attention to those tiny details on the passenger car and the layout itself…you know, all of the little things he’d notice if he did not take the time to complete them now, including the addition […]

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New Trains.com member benefit: Special Issue Archives

New Trains.com member benefit: Special Issue Archives We’re excited to announce a new member benefit: Trains.com Unlimited members now have access to our Special Issue Archives. Get access to 107 of our special issues, including popular titles such as Model Railroad Planning, Locomotive, Great Model Railroads, How to Build Realistic Layouts, All Star Electric Trains, […]

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News & Products for the week of October 9th 2023

Three model cabooses in various paint jobs

News & Products for the week of October 9th 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 October 9th […]

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Meet Andrew Dodge

black model steam engine next to structure and boxcar on model railroad

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? I was four or five when I got my first train set, which included a wooden steam locomotive with four or five cars that ran on wooden track. When I was nine, I got my first HO electric Snap-Track set with a Varney F3 diesel and a […]

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Pacific Southern Railway in HO scale

With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]

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