New model trains for the week of May 21, 2020

Rapido Trains HO scale Alco/Montreal Locomotive Works FA-2, FPA-2, FB-2, and FPB-2 diesel locomotives

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP59 and GP60 diesel locomotives. GP59: Electro-Motive Division demonstrator and Norfolk Southern (Operation Lifesaver 25th anniversary scheme and Southern Ry. heritage scheme, one number each). GP60: BNSF Ry. (Heritage III in two numbers, Vermont Ry. patchout in one number), CSX (dark blue and yellow), Denver & Rio Grande Western (black […]

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Rail writer, editor, historian Peter A. Hansen dies

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WINTER PARK, Fla. — Railroad writers rarely are known for wide exposure in multiple forms of national media, but Peter A. Hansen was a major exception. He not only edited the venerable publication Railroad History and wrote frequent long-form stories for Trains and Classic Trains, he also hosted or appeared in several nationally broadcast television […]

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2020 Model Railroader Photo Contest winners background images

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Earlier this year, we put out the call for MR readers to send us their best model railroad photos. We published the winners in the July 2020 Model Railroader. Follow the links below to download the images of all eight winning trackside photos sized appropriately for use as computer screen desktops. GRAND PRIZE WINNER – […]

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‘Carolinian’ set for full return June 1; other Amtrak changes not yet finalized (corrected)

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Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]

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New York Central 1948-1954 20th Century Limited passenger train coming from Kato

Kato N scale New York Central 20th Century Limited locomotive

This pre-production artwork shows the two-tone gray paint scheme that will be applied to Kato’s N scale Electro-Motive Division E7A diesel locomotives. The model will be offered in two road numbers. Kato posted this 3-D rendering of 5-bedroom lounge observation car Hickory Creek on its website. The N scale model will have an illuminated tail […]

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Bachmann HO scale Russian Decapod 2-10-0

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With its small drivers, open space under the boiler, and European look, a “Russian” Decapod 2-10-0 is very recognizable to most steam aficionados. We first reviewed Bachmann’s Spectrum series model of this distinctive prototype back in the April 2002 issue. Featuring the same high level of detail, this latest release of the Russian Decapod features […]

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WalthersMainline HO scale EMD SD50 diesel

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WalthersMainline HO scale EMD SD50 diesel Electro-Motive Division’s SD50 diesel locomotive was the successor to its wildly popular SD40-2. Now a model of this big 3,500-hp brute equipped with an optional Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU) dual-mode decoder is available from Walthers Mainline for your HO scale layout. The prototype. General Motors sold the first SD50s […]

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