Model Railroaders of the 1970s: Pioneers of Change

vintage photo of man next to partially built model train layout

The 1970s were a time of change. Model railroading was no exception. Modelers tested new techniques and technologies, while the niches of different scales and styles grew into mainstays. During that pivotal decade, these Model Railroaders stood out as pioneers of the hobby and industry. Their contributions have helped shape the hobby we know and […]

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MTH RailKing EMD FP45 diesel locomotive (2024 version)

red and gray model engine on layout

The FP45 diesel was a passenger locomotive first produced in 1967 at the request of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Only 14 units were made, nine for AT&SF and five for the Milwaukee Road. By the early 1980s, all but one were out of service or scrapped. Six survive in museums today. The first […]

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Budd RDC model types

Stainless steel rail passenger cars in snow

To win over the railroads with its new Rail Diesel Car (RDC), the Budd Co. wasn’t content with a single model type. In a time of declining passenger traffic during the post war years, the car manufacturer banked on multiple to meet the needs of either passenger, baggage-express or mail, as well as for all […]

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Athearn N ACF 2970 Center Flow

Color photo showing B end of N scale covered hopper painted gray with black graphics.

An American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot capacity two-bay Center Flow covered hopper is now part of Athearn’s Genesis series. The N scale model, which we last reviewed in the June 2010 issue, still features injection-molded plastic construction, body-mounted couplers, and metal wheelsets. Among the product upgrades are rubber train line hoses; separate, factory-applied uncoupling levers; […]

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The HO scale Pennsylvania RR Apple Gap layout

A model railroad tracplan with a man standing at the layout at its bottom left corner

Facts and features Name: Pennsylvania RR Scale: HO (1:87)Size: 6′-8″ x 12′-6″Prototype: freelanced, inspired by PRRLocale: northeastern PennsylvaniaEra: changeable between 1870-1915, 1916-1942, and 1943-1959Style: island Mainline run: 31 feetMinimum radius: 36.5″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: none (flat)Benchwork: tabletopHeight: 511⁄2“Roadbed: corkTrack: Micro Engineering flexible code 83Scenery: foam board and Kingspan underlayment on 3 ⁄4” medium density […]

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The S scale Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville layout

A model railroad trackplan

Facts and features Name: Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) Scale: S (1:64)Size: 38 x 62 feetPrototype: MononLocale: west central IndianaEra: late 1940sStyle: walk-in Mainline run: 180 feetMinimum radius: 48″ (main), 36″ (sidings and spurs)Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1% (main), 2.5% (to staging)Benchwork: L girderHeight: 46″ to 49″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: code 100 (main), codes 83 and […]

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Rapido Trains HO Alco FA1 and FB1 diesels

Screen capture from video showing two HO scale diesels painted yellow and gray.

The Rapido Trains HO Alco FA1 and FB1 diesels are the subject of our latest Product Review video. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief prototype history of the freight haulers, points out the various factory-applied details on the units, and demonstrates some of the sound and lights functions on the ESU LokSound […]

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Rapido Trains HO Alco FA1 and FB1 diesels

Screen capture from video showing two HO scale diesels painted yellow and gray.

The Rapido Trains HO Alco FA1 and FB1 diesels are the subject of our latest Product Review video. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief prototype history of the freight haulers, points out the various factory-applied details on the units, and demonstrates some of the sound and lights functions on the ESU LokSound […]

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