Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted silver with red, white, and blue stripes on white background.

Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $289.95 Era: Mid-1990s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights Etched-metal radiator grills and […]

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News & Products for the week of June 16th 2025

Two model locomotives, one in a blue paint scheme and one in a black paint scheme

News & Products for the week of June 16th 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 June 16th, […]

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Atlas Thrall HO 2743 gondola

Color photo of HO scale gondola painted blue with red, yellow, and white graphics.

Atlas Thrall HO 2743 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.95; with cover, $44.95 Era: 1995 to present Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas Thrall 2743 gondola features: 14 exterior posts 36” metal wheelsets Body-mounted Accumate couplers Detailed brake system with air reservoir, brake cylinder, and control valve; […]

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Rapido HO Pennsylvania RR G22 gondola

Color photo of HO scale freight car painted mineral red on white background

Rapido HO Pennsylvania RR G22 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; three-pack, $164.85; and six-pack, $329.70 Era: 1915 to 1970s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Pennsylvania RR G22 gondola features: 70- or 100-ton trucks with turned metal wheels AB or […]

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LCCA increases membership prices

LCCA logo

The Lionel Collectors Club of America has announced increases to their membership. In a recent LCCA email newsletter, the group announced that rising prices from vendors have affected expenses. Effective August 1, 2025, membership prices will change to: Regular Membership: $48.00 annually ($5.00 increase). Electronic Membership: $30.00 annually ($3.00 increase). Junior Membership: $30.00 per annually […]

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WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9

Side view of HO scale diesel locomotive painted green and yellow on scenicked model railroad with title bar in lower left corner.

A new run of the WalthersMainline HO scale EMD GP9 was recently released. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the Electro-Motive Division road switcher and Central Vermont No. 4445; highlights the detail parts on the ready-to-run model; and demonstrates some of the sound and light functions on the locomotive, which […]

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Atlas HO scale Alco RS11

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted black, yellow, and red on white background.

Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $174.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $289.95 Era: 1970 to 1975 (as decorated) Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO scale Alco RS11 features: Die-cast metal frame Directional, golden-white light-emitting-diode lighting Factory-installed […]

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News & Products for the week of June 9th 2025

A model passenger train on elevated track

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

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Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7

Color photo of N scale end-cab switcher painted silver and black with red, white, and blue stripes.

Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Stealth (no sound), $189.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder, $259.99 Era: 1949 to 2000s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 features: All-wheel electrical pickup Body-mounted couplers […]

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Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars

Color photo of HO scale freight car painted orange, black, and silver on white background

Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.95; six-pack, $359.70 Era: 1957 to 1982 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Features on Rapido HO scale PFE refrigerator cars: 33″ metal wheelsets Body-mounted Lincoln-Washington metal semi-scale couplers Factory-installed and painted wire grab irons Freestanding door rods, […]

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Lionel revives its classic Pennsylvania RR S2 Steam Turbine

page of catalog with model trains

Lionel has revived its classic O gauge model of the Pennsylvania RR S2 Steam Turbine. I recently shared the story behind the outstanding versions cataloged by Lionel during its golden age of the 1940s and 1950s. Lionel enthusiast Keith Beyer shared some useful information about the Nos. 671, 681, and 682, with special emphasis on […]

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Kadee HO scale 50-ton flatcar

Color photo of HO scale flatcar painted black with white graphics and tan simulated wood plastic deck.

Kadee HO scale 50-ton flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Era: 1942+ (as decorated) Manufacturer: Kadee Quality Products Co., 673 Ave. C, White City, OR 97503; 541-826-3883; kadee.com Kadee HO scale 50-ton flatcar features: 33” ribbed-back metal wheels with raised foundry data mounted on plastic axles Body-mounted Magne-Matic No. 158 scale “whisker” couplers in narrow […]

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