Hobbyshop Window for February 27th 2026

Color photo showing portion of HO scale steel caboose with streamlined offset cupola painted red and white with silver roof, oxide red trucks and end platforms, and yellow grab irons on white background.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 27th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GE Dash 9-44CW review

Color photo showing middle of long hood on an HO scale modern GE six-axle diesel locomotive painted orange, green, and yellow with a silver fuel tank on white background.

The latest product sample from Athearn Trains sent me on a nostalgia trip. Inside was Burlington Northern Santa Fe Dash 9-44CW 960. The HO scale model, from the manufacturer’s Genesis series, was decorated in the railroad’s Heritage I paint scheme. I immediately flashed back to the second half of 1996 when these units were making […]

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DVL Design LLC HO scale neon sign kit review

Color photo of illuminated etched-acrylic sign that reads Jewelry & Watch Repair. Metal frame is visible near the top of the frame.

If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-build detail for your structures, check out the Ne Series of HO scale neon sign kits, part of the Noble Gas & Tungsten line from DVL Design LLC. As of press time, there are more than 200 sign designs; three etched-metal frame styles — grid, open, and panel; and […]

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News & Products for the week of February 23rd 2026

A green model steam locomotive and tender

News & Products for the week of February 23rd 2026   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 February 23rd […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 20th 2026

Color photo showing vestibule end of HO scale lightweight duplex sleeper painted blue, yellow, and black on white background.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 20th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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WalthersProto scale test car in HO review

Color photo of scale test car painted yellow and green on white background.

A scale test car was recently released by Wm. K. Walthers Inc. The HO scale model, part of the manufacturer’s Proto range, features die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and Proto-Max metal couplers. Prototype history Scale test cars are used in the calibration of track scales found at on-line customers. The WalthersProto model follows the lines […]

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How to model a tar-and-gravel roof

Color photo of tan and brown brick warehouse buildings with gravel roof on scenicked model railroad layout with a cinder block building in the background.

Q:  I want to simulate the type of roof that uses rubber, tar, and then stone. I was thinking of painting the roof with a glossy black and then putting cinder ballast on it to simulate the rocks. Has anyone done this type of roof? If so, how did you do it? — Rick, via […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GE Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale GE Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Cody begins with the prototype history of the Dash 9 series, noting that General Electric produced more than 3,600 units between 1993 and 2004. These six-axle units were rated between 4,000 and 4,400 […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GE Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive

In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn Genesis HO scale GE Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Cody begins with the prototype history of the Dash 9 series, noting that General Electric produced more than 3,600 units between 1993 and 2004. These six-axle units were rated between 4,000 and 4,400 […]

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News & Products for the week of February 16th 2026

A model locomotive in a patriotic paint scheme with silhouette figures saluting the American flag

News & Products for the week of February 16th 2026   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 February 16th […]

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Hobbyshop Window for February 13th 2026

Color photo of showing nose of a modern N scale diesel locomotive painted orange, black, and silver on white backdrop.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending February 13th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Atlas N scale GE U33B review

Color photo showing fireman's side of N scale diesel locomotive painted maroon and yellow with white graphics on white background.

A General Electric U33B is the latest diesel locomotive to join the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The newly-tooled model features prototype-specific details, a Scale Speed motor, and body-mounted Accumate couplers. Prototype history General Electric produced the U33B from September 1967 until August 1970. During that time 137 locomotives were built. The four-axle […]

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