How to model a tar-and-gravel roof

Color photo of tan and brown brick warehouse buildings with gravel roof on scenicked model railroad layout with a cinder block building in the background.

Q:  I want to simulate the type of roof that uses rubber, tar, and then stone. I was thinking of painting the roof with a glossy black and then putting cinder ballast on it to simulate the rocks. Has anyone done this type of roof? If so, how did you do it? — Rick, via […]

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News & Products for the week of February 16th 2026

A model locomotive in a patriotic paint scheme with silhouette figures saluting the American flag

News & Products for the week of February 16th 2026   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 February 16th […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 13th 2026

Color photo of showing nose of a modern N scale diesel locomotive painted orange, black, and silver on white backdrop.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 13th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Atlas N scale GE U33B review

Color photo showing fireman's side of N scale diesel locomotive painted maroon and yellow with white graphics on white background.

A General Electric U33B is the latest diesel locomotive to join the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The newly-tooled model features prototype-specific details, a Scale Speed motor, and body-mounted Accumate couplers. Prototype history General Electric produced the U33B from September 1967 until August 1970. During that time 137 locomotives were built. The four-axle […]

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Can oil-based wood stains be used for modeling?

Color photo of a man’s right hand holding a paintbrush with blue handle applying stain to pieces of stripwood on a light blue background. A bottle of isopropyl alcohol with a blue, white, and gold label with black printing is also visible.

Q:  I’ve recently tried to purchase wood stains for a project and have been unsuccessful finding commercial products that were previously available. I also have three concentrations of India ink washes, made with 70% denatured alcohol, but that limits the final color. I was considering diluting Minwax oil-based wood stain with mineral spirits to the […]

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News & Products for the week of February 9th 2026

An orange model freight car end with a black coal load visible in the freight car

News & Products for the week of February 9th 2026   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 February 9th […]

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Prewar survivor on Lionel’s 1949 Showroom Layout

colorful illustration of track plan

Becoming acquainted with Robert Sherman, the talented and kind-hearted artist affiliated with Lionel and Diorama Studios, stands as a highlight of my career at Classic Toy Trains. Though frail when we met in the early 1990s, Bob eagerly shared stories of his contributions to the postwar consumer catalogs as well as his involvement with the […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale EMD SD7 diesel locomotive

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division SD7 HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is highlighted in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno explores the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line, focusing here on the highly detailed Great Northern No. 572. Built in April 1953, the prototype 1,500hp locomotive originally sported the iconic Empire […]

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ScaleTrains HO scale EMD SD7 diesel locomotive

The ScaleTrains Electro-Motive Division SD7 HO scale (1:87.1) diesel locomotive is highlighted in this latest product review video from Model Railroader magazine. Senior Editor Cody Grivno explores the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line, focusing here on the highly detailed Great Northern No. 572. Built in April 1953, the prototype 1,500hp locomotive originally sported the iconic Empire […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 6th 2026

Color photo showing engineer's side of HO scale cab unit painted red, gray, black, and white on scenicked base with a sky blue backdrop.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 6th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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