Atlas N scale 53-foot spine car

Yellow spine car with white background

53-foot spine car Scale: N (1:160) Price: Three platform, $119.95 ($99.95 undecorated); five platform, $199.95 ($164.95 undecorated) Era: 1997 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com 53-foot spine car features: Die-cast metal and plastic construction Chemically etched walkways Assembled collapsed or raised hitches BLMA 70-ton American Steel Foundries Ride Control trucks […]

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A Big Boy adventure photo gallery

Steam shooting from a large black articulated steam locomotive as it pulls its train.

“Been there. Done that.” In no way does this saying apply to standing trackside as Union Pacific No. 4014 — Big Boy — rumbles by. Every trip taken by the world’s largest operating steam locomotive is a new adventure. Here is a spectacle that doesn’t get old. It’s time for a Big Boy adventure. Although […]

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Why I love the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2

Black train engine leads train past fences and a reservoir

Why I love the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 Many modelers have a locomotive that they are fond of, probably one of their first models that they received as a kid. My first engine was an O gauge F7, a far cry from the locomotive that I love, the Electro-Motive Division SD40-2. In fact, nine years later […]

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Atlas O Thrall articulated auto carrier

Yellow articulated train car with white background

Thrall articulated auto carrier Scale: O (1:48) Price: $159.95 Era: 1997 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Thrall articulated auto carrier features: ¼” scale details and dimensions Die-cast metal chassis Positionable end doors Interior deck Modeler-installed articulated diaphragm Separate, factory-applied wire grab irons 70-ton roller-bearing trucks Brake line details Minimum […]

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Bi-level commuter cars from Rapido Trains

Screen shot of two HO scale commuter cars.

Rapido Trains recently released its bi-level commuter coaches and cab cars in HO scale. The manufacturer sent samples of its coaches to the team at Model Railroader magazine. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he takes a close-up look at the ready-to-run cars. Features on the bi-level commuter cars from Rapido Trains include a body […]

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Bi-level commuter cars from Rapido Trains

Screen shot of two HO scale commuter cars.

Rapido Trains recently released its bi-level commuter coaches and cab cars in HO scale. The manufacturer sent samples of its coaches to the team at Model Railroader magazine. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he takes a close-up look at the ready-to-run cars. Features on the bi-level commuter cars from Rapido Trains include a body […]

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Atlas American Car & Foundry Coalveyor bathtub gondola

Blue and black coal hopper car with white background

American Car & Foundry Coalveyor bathtub gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.95 (undecorated, $30.95) Era: 1980s to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Coalveyor bathtub gondola features: Die-cast metal chassis Interior bracing Removable coal load Accumate couplers Brake detail 100-ton roller-bearing trucks Metal wheels Release date: […]

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Bay Area Rapid Transit Legacy Fleet announced by Rapido

Drawing of rapid transit cars with white background

Bay Area Rapid Transit Legacy Fleet Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: A-B-B-A with dual-mode sound decoder, $712.45; A-B-B-A with direct-current, $522.45; C end car with dual-mode sound decoder, $322.95; direct-current C end car, $218.45; A end car with display case; $142.45; B intermediate car, $85.45. Era: 1972–present Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 […]

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HO and N scale PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper

Drawing of orange covered hopper

PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: HO, $51.99; N, $36.99 Era: 1965 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper features: Flush or overhanging roof as appropriate Etched metal crossover platforms (HO) and running boards (HO and N) […]

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Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour

Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour | When David Popp and Ben Lake recently traveled north of the Canadian Border to explore all that’s new with Jason Shron, President of Rapido Trains Inc., they were treated to a special sidetrack trip. On their way to see what new N and HO scale models Rapido […]

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Athearn 52-foot mill gondola

Drawing of brown gondola

52-foot mill gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: Single car (HO, $37.99; N, $34.99); three-pack (HO, $94.99; N, $89.99). Add $5 for Primed for Grime. Era: 1980s to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com  52-foot mill gondola features: Refined end-sheet molded details; upgraded rivet and bolt detail; and new wire […]

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40-foot low cube containers from Athearn

Drawing of three gray and yellow intermodal containters

40-foot low cube container Scale: HO (1:87.1) an N (1:160) Price: Three-pack, $39.99 Era: Present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 40-foot low cube containers features: Injection-molded plastic Stackable Release date: October 2023 Paint schemes: Capital (dark green); Herc Rentals (gray and yellow); Mobile Modular (tan); Ocean Network Express (Cherry Blossom Magenta with white […]

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