Kato HO scale GE P42

Color photo showing front of modern streamlined HO scale passenger diesel painted red, silver, and black with red, blue, black, and yellow graphics on white background

Kato HO scale GE P42 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current models, $210 to $220; with pre-installed ESU LokSound sound decoder, $398 to $420 Era: 1996 to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Kato USA Inc., 100 Remington Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; 847-781-9500; katousa.com Kato HO scale GE P42 features: Both trucks have coreless motor, […]

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Athearn HO EMD Model 40

Color photo HO scale diesel locomotive painted olive green and black on white background

Athearn HO EMD Model 40 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $134.98 Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO EMD Model 40 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Bi-directional, constant light-emitting-diode lighting Celcon handrails and stanchions Detailed injection-molded plastic body Direct-current model with Digital Command Control Quick Plug Factory-installed bell, exhaust […]

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News & Products for the week of August 4th 2025

A white and red model caboose

News & Products for the week of August 4th 2025   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 August 4th, […]

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2025 NMRA Convention: Five takeaways as a first-time attendee

NMRA logos

The 2025 National Model Railroad Association convention recently wrapped up with encouraging attendance numbers. A July 19 post from the NMRA social media pages highlighted the success: 950 registered attendees were on hand for this year’s showing in Novi, Mich., a significant jump from 620 in Long Beach, Calif., for 2024. Notably, 266 first-time attendees, […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for August 2025

blue and white model diesel locomotive

Locomotives & rolling stock Legacy Station, 4153 Lawrenceville Highway, Ste. 12, Lilburn, GA 30047, has a custom-run MTH Extended Vision Caboose as part of the RailKing line (30-77414). It features holiday graphics and O-27 operation. Expected delivery in October 2025. Price: $89.95. Website: legacystation.com   MTH Electric Trains, 7393 Washington Blvd. Ste. 101, Elkridge, MD […]

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Hobby Trax USA DCC Spike Busters

Color photo green printed-circuit boards with screw terminals on white background

Hobby Trax USA DCC Spike Busters Price: Two-pack, $6.99 Manufacturer: Hobby Trax USA, 1237 Victoria Ave., No. 310, Oxnard, CA 93035; 518-727-2009; hobbytrax.us Hobby Trax USA DCC Spike Busters features: All-new surface-mount design Designed to fit as a pair to the ends of a Digital Command Control bus (no more than two are needed, regardless […]

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Walthers HO ACF-design 1958 covered hopper

Color photo of HO scale two-bay covered hopper painted black without graphics on white background.

Walthers HO ACF-design 1958 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $38.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO ACF-design 1958 covered hopper features: 33” metal wheels All-new model Based on American Car & Foundry 1,958-cubic-foot capacity two-bay covered hopper Proto-Max metal couplers Separate, factory-applied Ajax brake […]

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News & Products for the week of July 28th 2025

A white red and black model streetcar

News & Products for the week of July 28th 2025   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 July 28th, […]

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Rapido HO Procor tank car

Color photo of HO scale tank car painted black with yellow, blue, red, and white graphics on white background

Rapido HO Procor tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.95; three-pack, $179.95; and six-pack, $359.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido Trains HO Procor tank car features: Detailed vent stacks, loading hatches, air tanks, and brake equipment Early style features 70-ton trucks, 33” wheels, and exposed drain […]

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Kato N Siemens ALC-42 Charger

Color photo showing front of modern N scale diesel in red, white, blue, and silver paint on white background

Kato N Siemens ALC-42 Charger Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current models, $150; with pre-installed Digital Command Control motor decoder, $250; with pre-installed DCC and sound decoder, $350 Era: 2021 to present Manufacturer: Kato USA Inc., 100 Remington Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; 847-781-9500; katousa.com Kato N Siemens ALC-42 Charger features: All-wheel electrical pickup Blackened wheels Body-mounted […]

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News & Products for the week of July 21st 2025

A model pneumatic freight car

News & Products for the week of July 21st 2025   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 July 21st, […]

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