Bachmann HO scale J-3A Hudson

Screen capture from Bachmann HO scale J-3A product review video.

A Bachmann HO scale J-3A Hudson steam locomotive visited our Wisconsin & Southern staff layout to lead an employee special. Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno talk about the features on the New York Central prototype, demonstrate some of the sound and light functions, and run the train between Troy and […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of August 14th 2023

An image of multiple model passenger cars

News & Products for the week of August 14th 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 August 14th 2023. […]

Read More…

The Flushing & Brooklyn RR in HO scale

The Flushing & Brooklyn RR trackplan: A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features   Name: The Flushing & Brooklyn RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3 x 6 feetPrototype: freelanceLocale: Flushing Village, N.Y.Era: 1838Style: portable tabletopMainline run: 12 feetMinimum radius: 15″Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 34″Roadbed: noneTrack: Atlas sectional, Peco turnoutsScenery: Woodland Scenics ground foamBackdrop: painted plywoodControl: direct current     Download a PDF of […]

Read More…

The HO scale Cascade & Twin Mountain RR

Facts & features   Name: Cascade & Twin Mountain RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 16′-6″ x 21′-0″ Prototype: freelanced Locale: Colorado Era: early 1960s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 247 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: 2.75% Benchwork: open grid Height: 54″ Roadbed: cork, Homasote in yard Track: code 100 flextrack Scenery: […]

Read More…

Atlas N scale Trinity 3230 PD covered hopper

Color image of N scale covered hopper on white background.

A Trinity 3,230-cubic-foot capacity Pressure Differential (PD) covered hopper has joined the Atlas N scale freight car fleet. The newly tooled Master Line model features a plastic body; etched-metal running boards; and many separate, factory-applied parts. Prototype history The 3230 PD covered hopper is based on a design developed by Thrall, which was acquired by […]

Read More…

August 2023

The cover of Model Railroader for August 2023

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Tinkerers and mad scientists wanted RAILWAY POST OFFICE, pg. 10 Letters from our readers NEWS AND PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Atlas HO scale General Electric U28CG reviewed, plus the latest new products ASK MR, pg. 18 The secret […]

Read More…

Short Amtrak consists of the 2000s

A model passenger train crosses a bridge over water and a freight train

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour we’ve taken of Amtrak’s short consists throughout the railroad’s history. Starting with the modern era, we then went back in time to the 1970s, then the 80s and 90s. This month, we’re looking at my favorite era of short Amtrak consists. Is it because that’s when I grew up? […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of August 7th 2023

August 7th: An image of multiple model freight cars in different color scheems

News & Products for the week of August 7th 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 August 7th 2023. […]

Read More…

Keep scenery looking its best

Keep scenery looking its best: There are two main issues with aging scenery – dust build-up and fading. Battling dust is an inevitability and an uphill battle if scenery work is continuing elsewhere in the room. Both dust and fading occur gradually over the years and can be hard to spot. Water and rolling stock […]

Read More…

N scale locomotive resource celebrates anniversary

Super wide-angle photo of Mark Peterson in the middle of a model railroad.

By Will Everitt An N scale locomotive resource celebrates an anniversary N scalers have questions. How does Athearn’s Big Boy compare to Broadway Limited’s? How can you tell the second run of Kato’s GP38-2 from its first? How do you remove the shell of a Fox Valley GP60M? What’s the (crazy!) production history of Con-Cor’s […]

Read More…

What shade of green were Lackawanna M.U. cars?

A six-car Erie Lackawanna electrified passenger train rolls under wire

Q: I’m planning to model the Hoboken, N.J., and Brick Church, N.J., stations on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the railroad I rode as a child and as an adult. I rode in the Lackawanna M.U. cars, but I can’t find them anywhere. I’m thinking I’ll buy the MuMP54 cars from Con-Cor and airbrush them […]

Read More…