Atlas celebrates 100th anniversary

The 100th anniversary logo for Atlas model railroad company

New Jersey-based model railroad manufacturer Atlas Model Railroad Co. has marked its 100th anniversary. Stephan Schaffan Sr. founded Atlas Tool Co. in 1924 as a general machine shop in New Jersey. His son, Stephan Schaffan Jr., joined the business in 1933. By 1947, the two had their first factory built in Hillside, N.J., producing the […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of December 2nd 2024

News & Products for the week of December 2nd 2024   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 December 2nd […]

Read More…

Santa Fe All the Way display in HO scale

Santa Fe All the Way display in HO scale | Trains.com Contributor Gerry Leone visits with layout owner/building Andrew Bobis and his expansive modular display inspired by the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway. As configured for operation at Trainfest 2024 event in Milwaukee, Wis., you’ll see detailed modeled sights including the depot in Topeka, […]

Read More…

Model railroads with multiple eras

A black model streamline locomotive on a model railroad layout

We’ve all been there before. Seated at the drafting desk, or perhaps the workbench, depending on how your layout room or workshop is set up, notebook open, pen in hand, writing out a list of desired traits for your soon-to-begin model railroad, maybe sketching possible track plans in the margins. A tale as old as […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Interview with Jordan and Jeff of Rapido Trains

In this Trains.com exclusive from Trainfest 2024, Model Railroader magazine Senior Editor Cody Grivno chats with Jordan Smith and Jeff Lassahn of Rapido Trains Inc. The Rapido Crew arrived in the Trains.com Booth with plenty of new HO and N scale model railroad products and news to share with viewers like you! Watch additional behind-the-scenes […]

Read More…

A skill-building layout

Opening spread of magazine article.

Q: I recall an article from a few years back that was about setting up a minimalist layout set on a bookshelf or board. It was intended as a quick and easy way to get started in the hobby, especially for those who don’t have a lot of space. I believe it used an NCE […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Interview with Curtis Koch of Broadway Limited Imports

Join Trains.com staffer Bryson Sleppy, as he hosts Curtis Koch of Broadway Limited Imports for an insightful interview at Trainfest 2024 in Milwaukee, Wis. Listen in, as Curtis shares news and specifics regarding new product releases from this notable HO and N scale model railroad manufacturer! Watch additional behind-the-scenes interviews from Trainfest 2024! […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of November 25th 2024

News & Products for the week of November 25th 2024   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 November 25th […]

Read More…

Youngstown Model Railroad Association’s HO scale layout

Title screen from layout visit video showing scene from HO scale layout.

In the January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine, Contributing Editor Lou Sassi paid a visit to the Youngstown Model Railroad Association, located in its namesake community in Ohio. The club, which has been around for 68 years, has layouts in O and HO scales. Lou’s article focuses on the latter, a 24 x 47-foot […]

Read More…

Youngstown Model Railroad Association’s HO scale layout

Title screen from layout visit video showing scene from HO scale layout.

In the January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine, Contributing Editor Lou Sassi paid a visit to the Youngstown Model Railroad Association, located in its namesake community in Ohio. The club, which has been around for 68 years, has layouts in O and HO scales. Lou’s article focuses on the latter, a 24 x 47-foot […]

Read More…

InterMountain HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper

Color photo of HO scale covered hopper painted light gray on white background.

The Trinity 5,161-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper is a new addition to the InterMountain Railway Co. product range. The HO scale model has an injection-molded plastic body, InterMountain metal wheelsets, and body-mounted Kadee couplers. Prototype history Since making its debut in 1995, the Trinity 5161 has become one of the most common three-bay covered hoppers […]

Read More…