News & Products for the week of December 22nd 2025

Color photo showing part of HO scale caboose painted red and black with white graphics on scenicked base with a blue backdrop.

News & Products for the week of December 22nd 2025 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 22nd, 2025. […]

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Restored American Freedom Train No. 1 to be unveiled

Front view of steam locomotive with "American Freedom Train" nameplate on front

BALTIMORE — The B&O Railroad Museum will unveil the newly restored American Freedom Train No. 1 on Jan. 12, 2026. The locomotive is one of three steam engines that pulled the American Freedom Train during its 1975-76 tour celebrating the U.S. bicentennial. The event will also start a yearlong series of America 250 events at […]

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Broadway Limited HO EMD F7 and F9 diesels

Color photo showing nose of HO scale EMD four-axle cab unit painted black, white, and gold with gold, black, and white graphics on white background.

Broadway Limited HO EMD F7 and F9 diesels Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Without sound — A unit, $229.99; B unit, $209.99; and A-B set with non-powered B unit, $329.99. With dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder — A unit, $329.99; B unit, $309.99; and A-B set with non-powered B unit, $429.99 Era: 1980s to present (varies based […]

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The East Troy Industrial Park layout in HO scale

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features Name: East Troy Industrial Park Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14‘-2“ x 19‘-0” Prototype: freelanced industrial switching Era: present day Local: southeastern Wisconsin Style: around the walls Mainline run: 33 feet Minimum radius: 28“ (main), 18“ (spurs) Minimum turnout: No. 5 (main) Maximum grade: 1.5% at interchange Benchwork: L-girder Height: 42” Roadbed: cork […]

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Lionel No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set

maroon and black toy train set

Lionel’s No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set is the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the wonderful hobby of toy trains. How do I know this? Because I used this exciting and entertaining passenger set to introduce my two young grandsons (ages 6 and 4 years) to operating electric trains. Believe me when I […]

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News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025

Color photo showing group of HO scale three-bay covered hoppers with exterior posts in various paint schemes on white background.

News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025 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 15th, 2025. HO […]

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City Council closes Yakima Valley Trolley … for now

Red and cream-colored trolley car running along city street.

YAKIMA, Wash. — At its regular meeting on Dec. 9, the Yakima City Council voted five to two in favor of postponing discussion and action on a new operating agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys until its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting. The nonprofit group operates trolleys on what remains of the Yakima Valley Transportation Co. […]

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Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100

Disney World locomotive No. 3, a green 4-6-0 steam engine. Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two of Disney World’s steam locomotives have reached the century mark. No. 3, Roger E. Broggie, and No. 1, Walter E. Disney, both 4-6-0s, were both built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. Both have been part of the Disney World roster in Florida since the park opened in 1971. […]

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C&NW No. 1385 successfully test fired

Steam locomotive surrounded by steam.

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum, after nearly 30 years of work, has completed a successful test firing of former Chicago & North Western R1 4-6-0 No. 1385. The locomotive now moves into the final phases of its restoration, with plans to have No. 1385 operational by summer 2026. The test was originally […]

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3rd Rail Models VIA Rail Canada P42

blue and silver model locomotive

It was a sad day when those 1950s E7, E8, and assorted FP units reached the point where they were clearly reaching the end of their operational life. Their long car bodies and gentle curved noses symbolized North American passenger train travel. Both EMD and General Electric offered replacement models with varied results. The best […]

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