How to remove factory-printed graphics

Color photo of black HO scale gondola with white lettering and gloved hand holding eraser pencil removing factory lettering

Q:  I have a question about removing markings from rolling stock and steam engines. I’ve seen your videos on removing decals, but how do I remove these items when they are factory painted? — Michael Ricci A: Over the years, I’ve used a variety of methods to remove factory-printed graphics. In my September 2022 Model […]

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Model Railroader Photo of the Day: A first-prize scratchbuilt locomotive

A scratchbuilt model steam locomotive

Between 1961 and 1963, author John Pryke spent 1,500 hours scratchbuilding this New Haven class R-3a 4-8-2 steam locomotive. The model won first prize at the 1964 National Model Railroad Association model contest. Carl Nelson photo Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of model railroad heritage and excellence. […]

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Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound

Color photo showing nose of N scale diesel painted scarlet and gray on white background.

Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $144.95; with ESU sound decoder, $254.95. Subtract $10 for undecorated models. Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N EMD GP60 with sound features: Body-mounted Accumate couplers Clear window glazing Factory-applied air horn […]

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East Troy Industrial Park Sidetrack | Building a glass plant, Part 4

Follow Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White as he demonstrates how to scratchbuild generators for the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park Project Railroad. Using manufactured shipping containers as a guide, Eric constructs the generator structures using .040″ styrene sheets. He details the process of cutting and assembling the frame for the units, and […]

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News & Products for the week of August 25th 2025

A red model boxcar with white lettering which reads "DSSA"

News & Products for the week of August 25th 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 August 25th, […]

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Model Railroader Photo of the Day: The sand trap

Ken Kirkwood sent in this photo of an unfortunate golfer who hit her ball into a really big sand trap. Ken, of Yucaipa, Calif., took the photo on his freelanced Ma  & Pa K layout.  Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of model railroad heritage and excellence. […]

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Modern Rocky Mountain railroading – Colorado style

Multiple model freight trains are led by yellow and gray model locomotives in a rural industrial setting

The thunder of modern motive power and the rumble of long trains rolling through Colorado’s Rocky Mountain passes caught Bill Becker’s imagination years ago, and it remains the theme of his fictional N scale Colorado & Eastern RR. Working in this small scale makes it possible to capture the majesty of the Rocky Mountains with […]

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The N Scale Architect interlocking tower

Color photo of N scale interlocking tower painted gray, green, and brown with track in foreground.

The N Scale Architect interlocking tower Scale: N (1:160) Price: $59.95 Manufacturer: The N Scale Architect, 4063 County Highway 2, DeLancey, NY 13752; thenarch.com The N Scale Architect interlocking tower features: Based on Kansas City Terminal Ry. Tower No. 2 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kit depicts tower before it was modified with two brick additions […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 20 | Installing Printed Backdrops

Trains.com staff members David Popp and Cody Grivno share their techniques for install printed backdrops on the HO scale (1:87.1)  East Troy Industrial Park project layout. They use SceniKing paper backdrops and unique craft scissors to seamlessly blend printed scenes—including a river, barn, and tree line—into the painted sky. All of that, plus more scenery […]

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Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Switching at the chemical plant

Multiple model locomotives and a chemical plant on a model railroad layout

As railfans snap photos of two recently delivered Midwest Valley SD60Fs, Missouri, Kansas & Quincy Alco C-420 No. 6421 switches a chemical plant on the track above. The scene is on Gary Hoover’s old MK&Q layout. Gary also took the photo. Model Railroader‘s Photo of the Day features images from our archives, celebrating decades of […]

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Rapido HO TurboTrain 2.0

We’re changing things up for our latest product review video. Trains.com Director David Popp took the Rapido HO TurboTrain 2.0 on the road to run on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista RR. Learn more about the full-size United Aircraft TurboTrain and our review sample, decorated in early Amtrak colors. Then watch the five-car train pass through […]

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Rapido Trains HO FM H16-44 review

Color photo showing front of HO scale diesel painted orange and black on white background.

A Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 diesel locomotive, based on a Phase III prototype, is now available from Rapido Trains. The HO scale model features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and body-mounted Macdonald-Cartier metal couplers. Prototype history Fairbanks-Morse, and its Canadian subsidiary Canadian Locomotive Co., produced the H16-44 from April 1950 until March 1963. During […]

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