East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 28 | Weathering effects for railroad bridges

Time to distress some steel! Follow along as David demonstrate two essential bridge weathering techniques on the HO scale (1:87.1) ETIP project layout, from heavy all-over rust using Monroe Models washes to creating the effect of faded, blistered paint with Vallejo Paints. Get the pro tips on permanent installation and finish details along the authentic […]

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Broadway Limited HO track inspection car

Color rendering showing end of HO scale fluted-side track inspection car with stainless steel sides, green-tinted window glazing, and green, blue, and white graphics on white background.

Broadway Limited HO track inspection car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $139.99 Era: 1975 to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited HO track inspection car features: Compatible with code 70, 83, and 100 rail Era-specific light packages Individually controlled light […]

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Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola

Color photo showing B end of HO scale bathtub gondola painted faded black with simulated scrap metal load and red, white, blue, and yellow graphics on white background.

Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $36.99 to $41.99; three-pack, $99.99 to $114.99 Era: 1977+ to 2020+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours […]

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Broadway Limited HO EMD SD45

Color photo showing nose of hood unit painted gray, white, and blue with white graphics on white background

Broadway Limited HO EMD SD45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Stealth Series without sound, $259.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder and GoPack capacitor packs, $389.99 Era: 1967 to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited HO EMD SD45 features: ABS body […]

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News & Products for the week of October 27th 2025

A red, white and blue model caboose painted in an American bicentennial scheme

News & Products for the week of October 27th 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 October 27th, […]

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Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car

Color photo showing B end of HO scale tank car painted black with white graphics on white background

Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.99 Era: 1970s+ to 1990+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn Genesis HO GATC tank car features: 70- or 100-ton screw-mounted, roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps Based on 20,000-gallon prototype Body-mounted McHenry double-shelf […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 27 | Depot Platform Prep & Modeling a Hayfield

The guys focus on adding the depot platform and a farm field to theHO scale (1:87.1)East Troy Industrial project layout. David selects a diluted gray stain for the depot platform, and then demonstrates how to correct a scenery mistake. Cody works on the hayfield, sharing his intriguing technique for modeling windrows with yarn, and then […]

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WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 review

Color photo of HO scale end-cab switcher painted yellow and gray with red graphics on scenicked based with a sky blue backdrop.

An Electro-Motive Division NW2 has joined the ranks of the WalthersProto line. The newly tooled HO scale model, based on Phase I through IV prototypes, uses plastic and die-cast metal construction and features railroad-specific details, a factory-installed 11mm x 15mm cube-type speaker in both direct current and Digital Command Control versions, and body-mounted Proto-Max metal […]

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ScaleTrains HO NS AC44C6M review

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel locomotive painted blue, gray, yellow, black, and white on white background.

A Norfolk Southern AC44C6M diesel locomotive is one of the latest additions to the ScaleTrains Rivet Counter line. The HO scale model, based on General Electric Dash 9-40C and Dash 9-44CW rebuilds, features an injection-molded plastic body, die-cast metal chassis, and body-mounted metal Type E semi-scale couplers. Prototype history Norfolk Southern No. 4000 was built […]

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Scuff pads for scenery

Color photo showing scenicked section of model railroad with trees in foreground and scuff pad in background and sky blue backdrop

Q: I’ve been trying to find the video Cody Grivno hosted a few years ago where he showed how to make a low-profile forest background using, I think, a furnace filter. I’m not talking about making furnace filter pine trees. This was more like cutting a continuous row of tree tops out of filter material […]

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Rapido Trains HO GE C36-7

Color photo showing front of HO scale diesel locomotive painted yellow and gray with red, white, and blue graphics on white background

Rapido Trains HO GE C36-7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $249.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $359.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido Trains HO GE C36-7 features: Adirondack or Rockwell trucks as appropriate Detailed cab interior Dynamic brake hump on Missouri Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and Union […]

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