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 […]
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. […]
WICHITA, Kan. — The Great Plains Transportation Museum is nearing its goal of raising $50,000 for additional restoration work on Santa Fe FP45 No. 93, thanks to a series of large direct donations to the museum that followed the announcement of a GoFundMe program. The direct donations from the museum included large donations ranging from […]
Canadian National recently introduced a locomotive painted to promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a service offering support by phone, text, or chat for those facing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or other concerns. The 988 Lifeline logo and “You Are Not Alone” message are displayed on the long hood of SD75IACC No. 8357. […]
Lots of switching occurs around the slow-speed trackage at the junction between the Green Mountain line to Bellows Falls (left) and the former Bennington branch in Rutland, Vt. Note the Delaware & Hudson Baldwin Sharknoses at right. Karl Zimmermann photo […]
Two Western Maryland F3s haul a 2-10-0 and its train on the outskirts of Baltimore. The diesels were on the train for just a short distance to keep the Decapod from running afoul of municipal anti-smoke laws. Francis Riffle photo […]
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 […]
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 […]
NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa. — The North Shore Railroad Co., operator of six Pennsylvania short lines, has introduced a new paint scheme for SW1500 No. 2238 to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence — a design it describes as “the first documented time a locomotive has been painted as a mural.” The locomotive features differing, complex […]
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 […]
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 […]
In this episode of The Roundhouse, Classic Trains editor Brian Schmidt sits down with David Popp to discuss his unique path into the railroad hobby. David shares how he started as a model railroader but developed a passion for railfanning after discovering 1:1 scale trains routing near his childhood home. This dual interest led him to incorporate prototype […]
