Atlas N scale EMD GP38-2 review

Color photo showing short hood and cab of N scale EMD hood unit painted blue and white with black and white graphics on scenicked base with a sky blue background.

An Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 has been added to the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The N scale model, based on a Phase II prototype, uses former Walthers (and before that Life-Like) tooling that Atlas acquired back in 2018. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP38-2 from January 1972 until July 1986. More than […]

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Nickel Plate Road caboose red

Color photo showing glass bottle of red paint with red, white, and black label and black metal lid and spray can with red, white, blue, and black graphics and red plastic cap on white background.

Q: I want to know if anyone has a good red that matches closely with the one used on Nickel Plate Road 1000-series wood cabooses. I’m buying a 3D-printed kit and don’t think the colors I have found match that well. Curious if anyone could help me out? — Jack_Kemp_IV, via the MR Forums A: […]

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News & Products for the week of March 9th 2026

A navy blue and gold model locomotive

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

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Cody’s Office | March 2026

In this March 2026 episode of Cody’s Office, Senior Editor Cody Grivno explores a fresh lineup of products, including the Broadway Limited Imports HO scale (1:87) theater car and Athearn’s N scale (1:160) 52-foot mill gondola. Cody also highlights the new 2026 Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide from Firecrown Media. In our modeling tip segment, […]

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Cody’s Office | March 2026

In this March 2026 episode of Cody’s Office, Senior Editor Cody Grivno explores a fresh lineup of products, including the Broadway Limited Imports HO scale (1:87) theater car and Athearn’s N scale (1:160) 52-foot mill gondola. Cody also highlights the new 2026 Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide from Firecrown Media. In our modeling tip segment, […]

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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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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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An interview with George Bogatiuk III of SoundTraxx

Sound decoder in front of Lego diesel locomotive

SoundTraxx’s Blunami sound decoder is taking model railroading by storm with its Bluetooth-based technology, offering a straight-through DCC connection from a smart app to the decoder (In many scales for DC and AC power). But there is much more to the 35-year-old company than just its latest innovation. Product Expert George Bogatiuk III recently joined […]

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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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Troop train operations during World War II

Color photo showing portion of Pullman HO scale troop sleeper painted dark green and black with gold lettering on white background.

Q: While thinking through the operating scheme for my World War II-era (1944) model railroad, I wondered where troop trains sat in timetable priority. Obviously they were extras, but were they bumped up in priority to first class due to the war effort? — Callum Day A: I reached out to our former On Operation […]

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