Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Interview with Tyler Haney and Matt Stern of Bachmann Trains

Climb aboard for an exclusive look at Bachmann Industries‘ exciting new arrivals and future plans with Trains.com staff writer Lucas Iverson and Model Railroader Editor Eric White, featuring special guests Matt Stern and Tyler Haney from Bachmann Trains. Hear the full story behind the development of the Amtrak Acela II set, delivered shortly after the […]

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News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025

Color photo showing group of HO scale three-bay covered hoppers with exterior posts in various paint schemes on white background.

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 […]

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City Council closes Yakima Valley Trolley … for now

Red and cream-colored trolley car running along city street.

YAKIMA, Wash. — At its regular meeting on Dec. 9, the Yakima City Council voted five to two in favor of postponing discussion and action on a new operating agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys until its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting. The nonprofit group operates trolleys on what remains of the Yakima Valley Transportation Co. […]

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Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100

Disney World locomotive No. 3, a green 4-6-0 steam engine. Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two of Disney World’s steam locomotives have reached the century mark. No. 3, Roger E. Broggie, and No. 1, Walter E. Disney, both 4-6-0s, were both built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. Both have been part of the Disney World roster in Florida since the park opened in 1971. […]

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C&NW No. 1385 successfully test fired

Steam locomotive surrounded by steam.

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum, after nearly 30 years of work, has completed a successful test firing of former Chicago & North Western R1 4-6-0 No. 1385. The locomotive now moves into the final phases of its restoration, with plans to have No. 1385 operational by summer 2026. The test was originally […]

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3rd Rail Models VIA Rail Canada P42

blue and silver model locomotive

It was a sad day when those 1950s E7, E8, and assorted FP units reached the point where they were clearly reaching the end of their operational life. Their long car bodies and gentle curved noses symbolized North American passenger train travel. Both EMD and General Electric offered replacement models with varied results. The best […]

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British Columbia museum receives grant for shop restoration

Several cabooses in a museum setting. British Columbia museum receives grant for shop restoration.

SQUAMISH, British Columbia — The Railway Museum of British Columbia has received a $50,000 Heritage Legacy Fund grant from Heritage BC to assist with work on its car shop. The museum matched the grant, netting $100,000 for the project. The grant funds the reconstruction of the shop’s five rail doors. Each 14- by 22-foot door […]

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News & Products for the week of December 8th 2025

Color photo showing nose of HO passenger locomotive painted black, dark blue, yellow, and gray on scenicked base with a sky background with clouds.

News & Products for the week of December 8th 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 8th, 2025. […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD SD38-2

Color photo showing nose of HO scale EMD six-axle hood unit painted dark brown and white with blue and white graphics on white background.

ScaleTrains HO EMD SD38-2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $199.99; 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 SD38-2 features: All-wheel drive and electrical pickup Detailed […]

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Atlas N scale General Electric U33B

Color photo of four-axle N scale diesel locomotive painted maroon and yellow with white graphics on white background.

Atlas N scale General Electric U33B Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model with factory-installed speaker, $159.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $274.95 Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205; 908-687-0880; shop.atlasrr.com Atlas N scale General Electric U33B features: AAR-B or Blomberg trucks, as appropriate All-new tooling Body-mounted Accumate plastic couplers […]

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City ends TOYX turntable lease

Small diesel locomotive and boxcar on a turntable. City ends TOYX turntable lease.

PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — Port Jervis is terminating a rail historical society’s lease of the former Erie Railroad turntable site near downtown, a decision that will force the nonprofit group to find a new home for its 27-piece locomotive and rolling stock collection. The 8.67-acre city-owned site was once part of the Erie Railroad’s engine […]

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Rapido N Santa Fe mechanical reefer review

Color photo showing brake end of steel refrigerator car painted yellow with brown roof and black underbody on white background.

Looking for something cool to add to your N scale freight car fleet? Then you’ll want to check out the Santa Fe Refrigerator Department (SFRD) class RR-56, RR-60, and RR-61 mechanical reefers from Rapido Trains. The models feature plastic construction, factory-applied details, and body-mounted couplers. Prototype history The 2,995-cubic-foot capacity class RR-56 cars (SFRD 2000-2019, […]

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