In the December 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains, then-Editor Neil Besougloff presented his design for a “three times around the tree” layout. It has since become a favorite with many readers and has inspired several holiday layouts. We’re presenting Neil’s original plan, featuring Lionel O-42 tubular track curves, a tunnel, and a 45-degree crossing. […]
Locomotives & rolling stock Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, has an Operating Log Dump Car as part of the Premier line. The car includes an operating dump mechanism, a load of logs, and O-31 operation (3001968 shown). Requires one piece of No. 6097 Accessory Rails track for operation (not […]
Menards has released an accessory that just about any layout, big or small, could use: concrete blocks. Each package contains 100 pieces of scaled blocks measuring 1¾” x ¾” x ¾”. A standard size block measures a nominal 8” x 8” x 16”, with an actual size of 15⅝” x 7⅝” x 7⅝”. At 1:48 […]
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, […]
When I saw the press release for this product from Ross Custom Switches, it caught my interest. This 40-foot boxcar is an MTH custom run that includes both a voltmeter and a track cleaning system from Many New Products (MNP). A voltmeter is an instrument that measures voltage between two points in a circuit. This […]
Dive back into the Olympia & Sand Creek On30 logging layout project with host David Popp! The resin water David poured in the previous episode has dried, but he hit a snag – a hazy surface on one section! David shares a fix for restoring the crystal-clear view and reveal the details (like those planted […]
Sunset Models 3rd Rail has announced a 2026 Sunset Models 3rd Rail Catalog Club. For $59.99 per year, members will receive the following benefits: two printed, full-color catalogs (spring and fall) mailed to your home two days before the public online release early access to new product announcements a chance to win free product by […]
Also in this issue: 90+ must-see destination layouts! A handy location map! And more! […]
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, […]
The Elizabethtown Public Library in Elizabethtown, Pa. has announced dates and times for the popular annual Train Guys Christmas Toy Train exhibit. The display is 65 feet long by 18 feet wide and capable of running 20 trains simultaneously. It features 53 pushbuttons on the display’s perimeter, where visitors can activate trains and accessories. New […]
Former Editor Neil Besougloff purchased this manuscript in 2002, and wondered why it hadn’t been used. I found the answer while scanning the slides–the photo quality is not great. While the photos are not usable in print, I hope they find some value in this online version. I’ve also learned that author Peter J. Corrigan […]
The idea of a custom run product — a manufacturer creating a special item for a retailer not sold in its catalog — is nothing new. Custom toy train products have existed for more than 100 years. “Custom run cars filled a gap in the market,” said Contributing Editor Bob Keller. “Manufacturers generally [produced products […]
