Rapido HO Trenton Works 6637 boxcar

Color photo showing B end of HO scale boxcar with exterior posts painted dark green with black and white graphics on white background.

Rapido HO Trenton Works 6637 boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.95 to $49.95; six-pack, $299.70 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Trenton Works 6637 boxcar features: Barber S-2 cast-steel trucks with separate brake beam detail Body-mounted semi-scale metal couplers Designed from original blueprints and field measurements […]

Read More…

Rapido N Budd Rail Diesel Car

Color photo showing end of N scale Budd Rail Diesel Car with stainless steel finish and black, orange, and white stripes on white background

Rapido N Budd Rail Diesel Car Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car — Direct current, $149.95; with DCC and sound, $259.95. Santa Fe two-pack — direct current, $299.90; with DCC and sound, $519.90. Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido N Budd Rail Diesel Car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Body-mounted […]

Read More…

Rapido HO GE C36-7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale (1:87.1) General Electric C36-7 diesel locomotive. Built between 1978 and 1985, this powerful six-axle unit is rated up to 3,750 horsepower. Our Missouri Pacific No. 9034 sample features a detailed cab interior, metal knuckle couplers, and a positionable drop steps. Equipped with an […]

Read More…

Rapido Trains HO GE C36-7 diesel locomotive

Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno reviews the Rapido Trains HO scale (1:87.1) General Electric C36-7 diesel locomotive. Built between 1978 and 1985, this powerful six-axle unit is rated up to 3,750 horsepower. Our Missouri Pacific No. 9034 sample features a detailed cab interior, metal knuckle couplers, and a positionable drop steps. Equipped with an […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of November 24th 2025

A navy blue model locomotive with yellow lettering and a yellow stripe

News & Products for the week of November 24th 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 November 24th, […]

Read More…

East Troy Industrial Park track and train control Part Two: DCC and turnout controls

A DCC controller is mounted to the front of a model railroad layout

We pick up where we left off in part one. Having recently completed the roadbed, track, and wiring on our East Troy Industrial Park project layout, we advance now to… Digital Command Control Digital Command Control (DCC) is the best way to power and operate a brand-new model railroad. The biggest advantage of DCC is […]

Read More…

Rock Island Rocket passenger trains

Streamlined EMC TA Diesel locomotive with passenger train on curve

To say that the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) was in a financial slump by the 1930s is an understatement. The 30 years of mismanagement followed by the Great Depression took its toll. To revitalize the railroad, incoming CEO Edward M. Durham embraced the streamlined train craze, adopting the fitting name “Rocket” […]

Read More…

Rapido HO Magor 54-foot DODX flatcar

Color photo showing B end of HO scale flatcar painted United States Army Green with white graphics, painted wood deck, and black six-axle trucks with metal wheels on white background.

Rapido HO Magor 54-foot DODX flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $59.95; three-pack, $179.85; and six-pack, $359.70 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Magor 54-foot DODX flatcar features: Body-mounted metal knuckle couplers Buckeye three-axle trucks (solid bearing or retrofitted roller bearing as appropriate) Drawn from original blueprints, […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO EMD SD7

Color photo showing cab and short hood of HO scale six-axle EMD hood unit painted orange, green, and yellow with red, white, and black graphics on white background.

ScaleTrains HO EMD SD7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $214.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, two cube-type speakers, and an ESU-designed “PowerPack” with two super capacitors, $324.99. Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE, Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO EMD SD7 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Detailed […]

Read More…

Atlas HO Trinity 5660 covered hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale pressure differential covered hopper painted gray with black lettering; red, yellow, white, and black graphics; and black trucks with blue bearing caps on white background.

Atlas HO Trinity 5660 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $64.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas HO Trinity 5660 covered hopper features: 36” metal wheelsets Body-mounted magnetic metal knuckle couplers Etched-metal running boards Factory-applied plastic pipes and valves Freestanding air hoses painted black with silver glad […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of November 17th 2025

White model passenger rail equipment with a blue stripe and tan interiors

News & Products for the week of November 17th 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 November 17th, […]

Read More…

Bachmann HO Trinity 5161 covered hopper review

Color photo showing left side and B end of modern covered hopper painted mineral red with white, yellow, and black graphics on white background

A Trinity Industries 5,161-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper is now part of Bachmann’s growing lineup of modern HO scale freight cars. The injection-molded plastic model features screw-mounted roller-bearing trucks, metal wheelsets, and body-mounted E-Z Mate Mark II couplers. Prototype history The 5161 covered hopper has been part of the Trinity Industries (now TrinityRail) catalog since […]

Read More…