Atlas Summer 2025 HO and N catalog

Color photo showing cover of product catalog

The Atlas Summer 2025 HO and N catalog was recently posted on the manufacturer’s website. The 60-page PDF includes new models and signals in both scales, as well several items in new paint schemes and road numbers. All of the offerings are scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026. N scale In N […]

Read More…

Add realistic finishes to figures

Color photo of two scale figures with paint cap, lid with paint wash, and paintbrush visible.

Adding scale people to your layout can be as simple as opening the box and gluing them in place. Manufacturers such as Preiser, Merten, Woodland Scenics, among others, offer a selection of realistic, factory-painted plastic figures for model railroads. However, if you have a railroad that requires a large population, it can be more economical […]

Read More…

Crew member, firefighter hurt as SEPTA train catches fire

Screenshot of aerial view of SEPTA train on fire on July 22, 2025.

BREAKING: SEPTA train on fire at Paoli station. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/ciJ68Oq2eh — Matt DeLucia (@MattDeLucia) July 23, 2025 PAOLI, Pa. — A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority employee and a firefighter were injured when a Regional Rail train caught fire late Tuesday (July 22, 2025). No passengers were on board at the time. WTXF-TV reports two cars […]

Read More…

BLET, UP reach tentative agreement on interim pay raise

Train with three yellow locomotives on broad curve

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and Union Pacific have reached tentative agreement on an interim 3% raise for BLET members while bargaining for a full contract continues. The union said in a press release that if ratified, the interim agreement would be effective Sept. 1 and provide the raise to […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, yellow, and gray with black trucks and fuel tank on scenicked HO scale layout. Title for video is shown in lower left corner.

The ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M, a modern six-axle road locomotive, is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the full-size units and Norfolk Southern No. 4000; shows the many separate, factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, yellow, and gray with black trucks and fuel tank on scenicked HO scale layout. Title for video is shown in lower left corner.

The ScaleTrains HO Norfolk Southern AC44C6M, a modern six-axle road locomotive, is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the full-size units and Norfolk Southern No. 4000; shows the many separate, factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

Read More…

Florida’s Tri-Rail says it could run out of money in two years

White and blue locomotive pushing commuter train

MIAMI — Commuter operator Tri-Rail could run out of money within two years — earlier than previously anticipated — because of cuts in funding approved by the state legislature in June, according to the executive director of the service’s parent agency. The Palm Beach Post reports David Dech, executive director of the South Florida Regional […]

Read More…

How do Tightlock couplers work?

Color photo of rusty coupler on passenger car

Q:  How do Tightlock couplers work? — Thor Clemens A: Longtime staff member Jim Hediger provided an explanation of the Type H, or Tightlock, coupler in a sidebar that appeared with his article “HO knuckle coupler guide” in the November 2007 Model Railroader. He wrote, “The need to reduce slack and improve passenger train safety […]

Read More…

Amtrak marks 100th birthday of Chicago Union Station

Interior of main waiting room at large railroad station

CHICAGO — You only celebrate a 100th birthday once, and Amtrak made sure that the milestone for Chicago Union Station did not go unnoticed. Officials including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker were on hand today for ceremonies today (July 22, 2025) marking the centennial of the station’s dedication, held July 23, 1925, although — as Amtrak’s […]

Read More…