February 2023

February Trains cover photo

In every issue News p. 4 Amtrak reaches a deal on the Gulf Coast, and Canadian Pacific’s hydrogen locomotive makes its first run Preservation p. 40 Five days after collision, Strasburg No. 475 returns Train-Watching p. 44 Hot spot: Unusual diamond arrangement adds railfan interest in Muncie, Ind. Ask Trains p. 46 EMD’s shortlived BL2 […]

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February 2023

The February cover for Model Railroader magazine

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Creating and sharing expertise NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 How do I build a layout swing gate? RAILWAY POST OFFICE, pg. 22 letters from our readers STEP BY STEP, pg. […]

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January 2023

January 2023 Trains Magazine cover

In every issue News p. 4 The fate of the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger now rests with the regulators Preservation p. 42 The last Alaska Railroad steam engine celebrates a restoration milestone Train-Watching p. 46 Hot spot: Neenah, Wis., where access and variety add up to great train-watching Ask Trains p. 48 What […]

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April 2026

The April 2026 cover of Trains Magazine featuring a freight train crossing a bridge spanning a river in a forest

In every issue News & Analysis, p. 4 Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern detail merger plans Brian Solomon, p. 12 Why diesels sound different Bill Stephens, p. 14 Railroads don’t deliver on all of their merger promises Turntable, p. 16 G&W CEO Michael Miller: More cooperation, please Preservation, p. 18 American Freedom Train No. 1 […]

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January 2023

A black and red locomotive runs through a forested section of track against a blue background

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 Extra how-to from the how-to magazine NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 Questions on decorating B&O diesels STEP BY STEP, pg. 22 How to model fir trees DCC CURRENTS, pg. 60 […]

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Lionel Trains of the 1940s

Cover of Classic Toy Trains :ionel Trains of the 1940s

Also in this issue: Introducing Lionel Trains of the 1940s Our comprehensive look at a significant and not-so-segmented decade. Momentous and meaningful decade for Lionel Modernizing in many wonderful ways. Breakthrough year in realism for locomotives and cars Looking forward with many glances at the recent past. Colorful and fanciful cars still rode the Lionel […]

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Great Model Railroads 2023

The cover of Great Model Railroads 2023

PLUS Celebrating the CP’s centennial The freelanced HO scale Strathcona Division models the Canadian Pacific in British Columbia Modeling C&O’s Kanawha Sub Coal is king on this HO scale Appalachian layout Time well spent An O gauge modeler replaces his three-rail layout with a 1:48 scale granger road New England memories A new version of […]

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How to Model Locomotives

The cover of How to Model Locomotives

PLUS Motivation for motive power Introduction Sound for legacy locomotives – F units A little soldering goes a long way How to detail, paint, and decal a locomotive Give a road switcher a new look How diesel facilities work A lot of work goes on behind the scenes between road trips Speed matching for DCC […]

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December 2022

orange locomotive on railroad with sun

In every issue News p. 4 Latest in rail labor dispute, Q&A with CSX’s newly appointed president, and California buys hydrogen-powered trainsets for Amtrak Preservation p. 42 UP’s 2-10-2 No. 5511 moves for the first time in 50 years Train-Watching p. 46 Short line: Beautiful New England scenes along the Massachusetts Coastal RR […]

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December 2022

Cover of Model Railroader Magazine with steam engine going over bridge

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 When is your realism level good enough? NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 Speed matching DCC locomotives for better consisting STEP BY STEP, pg. 24 How to weather a modern […]

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