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Model railroad operations weekends offer a fun way to learn about others’ layouts, meet new people, and if you’re a magazine editor, find new model railroads to feature in the magazine. At the beginning of summer 2022, I headed west to SoCalOps, an operating weekend centered around the Simi Valley in suburban Los Angeles. I […]
Can you believe hobbyists used to use toxic chemicals on model railroads? In the days before hobby shops sold premade scenery and wiring products, hobbyists made their own. Unfortunately, some of the materials weren’t very safe. Note: We’re providing this article for information and entertainment only. We are definitely not endorsing any of these substances […]
48-foot intermodal container and chassis Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $39.99 Era: 1990s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Chassis feature mudflaps and rolling wheels Release date: November 2023 Road names: Conrail (Conrail Mercury container on black BNZ chassis); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (white container with […]
We reviewed Bachmann’s HO USRA Light 2-10-2 in the August issue of Model Railroader. This locomotive comes equipped with a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder for use on both DC and DCC equipped layout, however, the engine doesn’t include sound. Click the icons below to see the 2-10-2 in action. All videos may take […]
Represents the Lackawanna Railroad (DL&W) between Hoboken and Scranton. Previously it represented the CNJ and LV, and there are still vestiges of those roads – primarily structures. The railroad has two yards: Jersey City and Port Morris, the Hoboken passenger terminal and passes through towns such as Dover, Washington and Pittston. It was designed for […]
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe depot Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: HO, $195; N, $130 Era: 1934+ Manufacturer: Custom Model Railroads, 3937 Keswick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21211; 410-889-0010; cmrtrain.com Santa Fe depot features: Laser cut acrylic parts Based on an Art Deco-style depot served by the Texas Chief Includes main building and annex […]
Samuel Rea Shops G41A coil steel gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: With hoods, $58.95; without hoods, $50.95 Era: 1966+ to 2005+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Tangent Scale Models, P.O. Box 6514, Asheville, NC 28816; 828-412-3886; tangentscalemodels.com Samuel Rea Shops G41A coil steel gondola features: Kadee scale couplers Road-specific details for each scheme, including […]
BNSF 2022 Model Railroad Photo Contest Model railroaders, it’s time to show off your layouts featuring BNSF or predecessor trains! Post photos or short videos of your model railroad to your Instagram account or in the Friends of BNSF Facebook group no later than midnight Central time on Sunday, Oct. 16. Be sure to include […]
New detail parts Scale: See below Price: 4-foot smokejack (N scale, $.65; HO, $1.15; S, $1.85; and O, $1.85). 8-foot tall brick chimney (N scale, $.85; HO, $1.70; S, $2.15; and O, $2.85). 90-degree smoke pipe with cap (N scale, $.95; HO, $1.35; S, $1.35; and O, $1.95). 200-gallon oil tank (N scale, $1.75; HO, $3.15; and […]
General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime models. Era: 1994+ to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive features: Trainline and […]
WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 walthers.com Era: 2007 to present (as decorated) Road names: Trinity Industries Leasing (gray and black [75th anniversary] schemes), Archer Daniels Midland (gray with modern logo), Bunge North America Inc. (gray), Cenex Harvest States Cooperative (gray), CIT […]
WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 walthers.com Era: 2007 to present (as decorated) Road names: Trinity Industries Leasing (gray and black [75th anniversary] schemes), Archer Daniels Midland (gray with modern logo), Bunge North America Inc. (gray), Cenex Harvest States Cooperative (gray), CIT […]
