Recommended N scale track plans for beginners

Caroline Central track plan

Modeling the small and delicate N scale can be intimidating, especially for beginners. However, with the right setup, you can get the most out of the available space you might not find on a much larger scale. Here are five recommended N scale track plans for beginners. Carolina Central The Carolina Central is a great […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP40

Screen shot from product review video with green and yellow HO scale diesel and title bar in lower left corner

Check out the all-new ScaleTrains HO EMD GP40 diesel locomotive in our latest product review video. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the four-axle road switcher and explains why Chicago & North Western 5525 is historically significant; points out the many prototype-specific details on the Rivet Counter line model; and […]

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Walthers Cornerstone HO transload facility pavement

Screen capture of product box on workbench with title bar in lower left corner.

Work is well underway on the HO scale (1:87.1) Milwaukee, Racine & Troy East Troy Industrial Park, our latest project layout and the first model railroad to be constructed at the new Firecrown Media offices in suburban Milwaukee, Wis. We recently received a sample of the Walthers Cornerstone transload facility pavement kit (item No. 933-4186), […]

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Built by Others: Adam Palmer’s San Juan Central Version 2

A model railroad layout assembled at a convention center

Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader and its related products. Malcolm Furlow’s HOn3 San Juan Central layout first appeared in a multi-part series in the pages of Model Railroader between 1983 and 1984. Adam Palmer’s San Juan Central V2 […]

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Rapido HO General Electric C30-7

Screen shot from video with HO scale diesel on scenicked model railroad and title bar in lower left corner.

A sample of the Rapido HO General Electric C30-7 diesel locomotive recently arrived at our offices. In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the six-axle road unit and Union Pacific 2415; highlights the various factory-applied detail parts; and demonstrates some of the sound and light effects […]

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The Rise of HO Scale Model Trains

A model train passes on a bridge on a model railroad layout

HO scale model trains are a significant part of model railroading history, and we can partially credit the overall popularity of model trains with the rise of a convenient, tabletop scale like HO. With origins dating back a century, HO scale trains have grown into the most popular model train scale in the world.  Model […]

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Rapido Trains HO scale EMD GP38

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel locomotive.

An Electro-Motive Division GP38 diesel locomotive is now available in HO scale from Rapido Trains. The four-axle road switcher features plastic and die-cast metal construction, railroad-specific details, and body-mounted metal couplers. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP38 from January 1966 through December 1971. During the course of the production run, 733 units were built […]

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WalthersTrack HO scale roadbed

Two men in tan work aprons standing in front of workbench with model railroad in background

By now, most of you are familiar with the WalthersTrack HO scale product range, which features turnouts, flextrack, and related accessories. We recently got a sneak peek of the latest addition to the product range that has yet to arrive in stores — dense, closed-cell foam roadbed. Join Trains.com Director David Popp and Model Railroader […]

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Broadway Limited HO scale EMD GP30

Screen capture from video with red and gray HO scale diesel locomotive and title bar.

Welcome to our latest product review video. The Broadway Limited HO scale EMD GP30 is back in a colorful assortment of new paint schemes. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road switcher and Burlington Northern No. 2250; points out the various plastic, formed wire, […]

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Aurora Miniatures N Greenbrier 7550 boxcar

Side view of N scale boxcar painted yellow and black on white background

The Greenbrier 7,550-cubic-foot capacity double-plug-door boxcar is the first N scale freight car from Aurora Miniatures North America Inc. The injection-molded plastic model features many separate, factory-applied parts; metal wheelsets; and body-mounted plastic AuroraJanney plastic knuckle couplers. Prototype history The Aurora Miniatures N Greenbrier 7550 boxcar is based on the 2016 to present version of […]

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N scale Alco RSD5 from Atlas

Screen capture from video showing N scale diesel and product description.

We’re turning the clock back to the 1960s on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route for our latest product review video. This time around we’ll take a look at the N scale Alco RSD5 from Atlas. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno provides a brief history of the six-axle road switcher and Atchison, […]

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Decade-plus of technological advancements in model locomotives

Color photo of N scale diesel locomotive mechanism.

Locomotives, regardless of scale, have always been at the forefront of technological advancements in model railroading. Over the past decade, this trend has accelerated: bringing in innovative features and enhancements that redefine the hobby. Whether they’re seen as trailblazers for the future or as models featuring nothing but “all the bells and whistles,” let’s explore […]

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