News & Products for the week of March 2nd 2026

A yellow and gray model locomotive

News & Products for the week of March 2nd 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 March 2nd […]

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Cody’s Trackside Finds: A potpourri of motive power

Color photo showing front of EMD four-axle cab unit painted blue and gray with yellow graphics.

My daily commute to our former Kalmbach Media offices at 21027 Crossroads Circle in Waukesha, Wis., conveniently crossed the Union Pacific, Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific. Most days I didn’t encounter a train. If I did, I was usually stuck too far back in the cue of traffic to get any meaningful photos. But the […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 27th 2026

Color photo showing portion of HO scale steel caboose with streamlined offset cupola painted red and white with silver roof, oxide red trucks and end platforms, and yellow grab irons on white background.

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 27th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Blunami Insights from George Bogatiuk III of SoundTraxx

Discover how SoundTraxx has spent 35 years revolutionizing model railroading, from pioneering onboard sound systems to the app-controlled, Bluetooth-based Blunami decoder. Join Model Railroader magazine’s Cody Grivno and Trains.com’s Lucas Iverson as they sit down with product authority George Bogatiuk III to explore the history of this Colorado-based manufacturer. You’ll learn how their commitment to […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Interview with George Bogatiuk III of SoundTraxx

Discover how SoundTraxx has spent 35 years revolutionizing model railroading, from pioneering onboard sound systems to the app-controlled, Bluetooth-based Blunami decoder. Join Model Railroader magazine’s Cody Grivno and Trains.com’s Lucas Iverson as they sit down with product authority George Bogatiuk III to explore the history of this Colorado-based manufacturer. You’ll learn how their commitment to […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GE Dash 9-44CW review

Color photo showing middle of long hood on an HO scale modern GE six-axle diesel locomotive painted orange, green, and yellow with a silver fuel tank on white background.

The latest product sample from Athearn Trains sent me on a nostalgia trip. Inside was Burlington Northern Santa Fe Dash 9-44CW 960. The HO scale model, from the manufacturer’s Genesis series, was decorated in the railroad’s Heritage I paint scheme. I immediately flashed back to the second half of 1996 when these units were making […]

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DVL Design LLC HO scale neon sign kit review

Color photo of illuminated etched-acrylic sign that reads Jewelry & Watch Repair. Metal frame is visible near the top of the frame.

If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-build detail for your structures, check out the Ne Series of HO scale neon sign kits, part of the Noble Gas & Tungsten line from DVL Design LLC. As of press time, there are more than 200 sign designs; three etched-metal frame styles — grid, open, and panel; and […]

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Auburn Road Special excursions to benefit URHS

Diesel locomotive leading a passenger train. Auburn Road Special excursions to benefit United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey.

BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey will be hosting a weekend of rail excursions along the former New York Central Auburn Road branch on April 18-19, the organization announced in a Facebook post. The Auburn Road Special will offer two excursions covering what is now the east end of the […]

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News & Products for the week of February 23rd 2026

A green model steam locomotive and tender

News & Products for the week of February 23rd 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 23rd […]

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Northern Pacific No. 1364 runs again after 73 years

Black steam locomotive with steam and smoke along a station platform. Northern Pacific No. 1364 runs again after 73 years.

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Former Northern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 1364 moved under its own power for the first time in 73 years on Feb. 21, according to a Facebook post from the Northern Pacific Railway Museum. The initial run caps a decades-long restoration effort by museum volunteers. “This moment represents years of hard work by our volunteers, […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 20th 2026

Color photo showing vestibule end of HO scale lightweight duplex sleeper painted blue, yellow, and black on white background.

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 20th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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WalthersProto scale test car in HO review

Color photo of scale test car painted yellow and green on white background.

A scale test car was recently released by Wm. K. Walthers Inc. The HO scale model, part of the manufacturer’s Proto range, features die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and Proto-Max metal couplers. Prototype history Scale test cars are used in the calibration of track scales found at on-line customers. The WalthersProto model follows the lines […]

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