Athearn Genesis HO EMD GP38-2 review

Color photo of HO scale diesel locomotive painted orange and black on white background

  An upgraded HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 is available from Athearn. The Genesis-series model is now offered with illuminated number boxes and class lights, along with light-emitting-diode lighting and all-wheel drive and electrical pickup. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP38-2 from January 1972 through July 1986. During the course of the production run, […]

Read More…

Rapido Trains HO PC&F 5241 boxcar

Color photo jade green boxcar with silver roof and white graphics on white background

Rapido Trains HO PC&F 5241 boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; three-pack, $164.85; six-pack, $329.70 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido Trains HO PC&F 5241 boxcar features: Factory-installed and painted wire grab irons Full underbody detail Multiple road numbers for each scheme Rapido semi-scale metal couplers Roller-bearing […]

Read More…

The history of Model Railroad Heaven in Rochester, New York

black and white photo of kids next to a train layout

We are working on a new special issue! Classic Toy Trains’ next special interest publication features 14 layouts you can visit across the United States, from the The Choo Choo Barn, the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Illinois Railway Museum, and much more. Plus, find a handy reference map and […]

Read More…

East Troy’s North Shore Line interurban car undergoes full restoration

Unrestored trolley car inside a building.

EAST TROY, Wis. — A new restoration with Milwaukee ties is underway at the East Troy Railroad Museum. Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee (North Shore Line) interurban car No. 162 was recently moved into the museum’s maintenance facility for the extensive project to begin. The car was built in 1915 by the J. G. Brill […]

Read More…

Why won’t my N scale freight cars roll?

Color photo of N scale wheelsets in packaging

Q: I have some N scale cars from Micro-Trains. Recently, I swapped out the factory-installed plastic wheelsets with metal wheelsets, but now the cars don’t roll freely. What can I do to fix this? — Kelly Walton-Harper A: Metal wheelsets aren’t one-size-fits all. The first thing you’ll want to check is wheel size, as it’s […]

Read More…

Indiana Transportation Museum and 10 rules for railway preservation

Hopper car missing a wheelset

This article was originally published on July 5, 2018, as a blog post from Trains Magazine’s “Train of Thought,” by former Editor Jim Wrinn.  While we try to make sense out of the eviction of the Indiana Transportation Museum from its home of 50 years and the resulting scramble to save locomotives and rolling stock […]

Read More…

ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M diesel

Photo of HO scale diesel painted blue, white, yellow, gray, and black on white background.

ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M diesel Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $225; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder two cube-type speakers, and ESU-designed PowerPack with two super capacitors, $335 Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com ScaleTrains HO AC44C6M features: Factory-applied snow plow, m.u. hoses, train line hose, […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of June 30th 2025

A model locomotive in a mural paint scheme

News & Products for the week of June 30th 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 June 30th, […]

Read More…

Santa Fe No. 2926 to participate in Downtown Albuquerque’s Railroad Days

Steam locomotive operates on the main line with a massive facility building in the background.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe No. 2926’s yearly visit to Albuquerque’s downtown Rail Yards — a former ATSF facility with sections redeveloped as a multi-use venue and future home for the 4-8-4 — is scheduled for Sept. 27 and 28, as part of New Mexico Railroad Days.  It will mark the third straight year the […]

Read More…

Walthers HO Pullman-Standard 4427 covered hopper

Color photo of HO scale covered hopper painted light gray with black graphics

Walthers HO Pullman-Standard 4427 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98 Era: Mid-1960s to 2000s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO Pullman-Standard 4427 covered hopper features: 36″ metal wheelsets 4-3-4 exterior-post pattern Body-mounted Proto-Max metal couplers Detailed bottom outlet gates […]

Read More…

Aurora Miniatures HO TrentonWorks well car

Color photo of HO scale well car painted red with white graphics

Aurora Miniatures HO TrentonWorks well car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Era: 2001 to present Manufacturer: Aurora Miniatures North America Inc., 20 Kilchurn Castle Dr., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1T 2W4; na.auroraminiatures.com Aurora Miniatures HO TrentonWorks well car features: 33” machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contour (code 110) Air brake system with piping detail As-built 53-foot […]

Read More…