Q: I have several On30 locomotives with Digital Command Control (DCC), but was recently gifted a passenger set that has a direct-current (DC) locomotive. If some DCC locomotives are sitting on the track, can I use a DC transformer to operate the DC engine on the same track without damaging the DCC locomotives? What would […]
Tag: 1946 – 1970
News & Products for the week of December 29th 2025
News & Products for the week of December 29th 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 December 29th, 2025. […]
Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45 review
Athearn has released a new run of Electro-Motive Division FP45 diesel locomotives in its HO scale Genesis line. The six-axle unit features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and McHenry plastic scale couplers. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the FP45 in 1967 and 1968. During that time, 14 units were built, nine for […]
Rapido Trains HO SD10 diesel locomotive
Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale Milwaukee Road rebuilt SD10 diesel locomotive. Originally built as an EMD SD7, this 1,800-horsepower road switcher features see-through etched-metal steps, a detailed cab interior, and a signature Horst paper air filter. Equipped with an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, the model offers functions […]
Rapido Trains HO SD10 diesel locomotive
Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale Milwaukee Road rebuilt SD10 diesel locomotive. Originally built as an EMD SD7, this 1,800-horsepower road switcher features see-through etched-metal steps, a detailed cab interior, and a signature Horst paper air filter. Equipped with an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, the model offers functions […]
Rock Island RS3 with suburban train
The Rock Island used a variety of diesel power on its Chicago suburban trains, but Alco RS3s predominated. In 1966, maroon RS3 499 has just departed La Salle Street Station with three cars. Duane Darnell photo […]
Atlas HO REA steel express reefer
Atlas HO REA steel express reefer Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $46.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO REA steel express reefer features: 3/3 Improved Dreadnaught ends Arched roof Body-mounted Accumate couplers Metal wheels Separate, factory-applied ladders and grab irons Steam, air, and signal hoses Uncoupling levers […]
News & Products for the week of December 22nd 2025
News & Products for the week of December 22nd 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 December 22nd, 2025. […]
Niagara on the run
New York Central 4-8-4 Niagara 6023 is near the end of its short life as it rambles through Millbury Junction, Ohio, (7.5 miles east of Toledo) with nine-car mail-and-express train X-78 in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Turbine orphan
Westinghouse and partner Baldwin fielded an experimental 4,000 h.p. B-B+B-B gas-turbine-electric in 1950. Dubbed the “Blue Goose” because of its paint scheme (and perhaps for its unusual appearance), No. 4000, pictured at Chicago on the Chicago & North Western, generated no orders. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
The Sun Parlour Lines layout in HO scale
Facts and features Name: Sun Parlour Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 41 feet Prototype: Chesapeake & Ohio and New York Central Locale: southern Ontario Era: September 1955 Style: around the walls Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 28″ (main line), 22″ (hidden loop) Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main line) Maximum grade: 2.5% Benchwork: […]
News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025
News & Products for the week of December 15th 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 December 15th, 2025. HO […]
