A General Electric U33B is the latest diesel locomotive to join the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The newly-tooled model features prototype-specific details, a Scale Speed motor, and body-mounted Accumate couplers. Prototype history General Electric produced the U33B from September 1967 until August 1970. During that time 137 locomotives were built. The four-axle […]
When stacking up my wish list from Lionel Trains’ 2025 Volume I catalog, I included one of the Lightsaber illuminated boxcars from the new line of Star Wars-themed sets and rolling stock. Being a fan of the franchise, I was serious about ordering one. In the end, I guess you can say I turned to […]
Though cabooses have all but disappeared from today’s railroads, they’re still front and center for hobby manufacturers. Rapido Trains recently released its latest premium-level model, the HO scale Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van. The model features a detailed interior and underbody, numerous operating lighting features, and metal semi-scale couplers. Prototype history Hawker Siddeley produced 150 […]
I grew up in rural northeastern Wisconsin where pickup trucks were (and still are) a common part of the landscape. From farms to small businesses, and downtowns to construction sites, trucks were everywhere. Ford designed the first generation F-100 in 1953 to meet the demand for durable vehicles that could be reliable workhorses, yet comfortable […]
A newly-tooled model has joined the Bachmann HO scale freight car lineup. The General American 4,180-cubic-foot capacity Airslide covered hopper, offered in four paint schemes, features injection-molded plastic construction, 36″ metal wheelsets, and body-mounted E-Z Mate Mark II plastic couplers. Prototype history General American produced the 4180 Airslide from 1963 to 1980. The cars were […]
The headliner of the spring 2023 Atlas catalog was the SD70MAC, a classic six-axle diesel electric locomotive. The SD70MAC was produced by General Motor’s Electro-Motive Division (EMD) in the 1990s. The SD70MAC was part of the transition from DC to AC traction motors. These AC powered locomotives would prove to be more efficient while in […]
Like Robert Frost once wrote, good fences may make for good neighbors. I’ve learned that good fences also make for great models. With a little thought, fences can define and separate scenes and add considerable detail to your layout. While there is a wide variety of interesting fencing available today, the old board fence is […]
The third run of Trinity 5,660-cubic-foot capacity pressure differential (PD) covered hoppers has been released by Atlas Model Railroad Co. The modern freight car, based on former BLMA tooling, features freestanding details, screw-mounted trucks with 36″ chemically blackened metal wheelsets, and body-mounted couplers. Prototype history The 5660 PD covered hopper was introduced in 1999 by […]
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 […]
Lionel’s No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set is the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the wonderful hobby of toy trains. How do I know this? Because I used this exciting and entertaining passenger set to introduce my two young grandsons (ages 6 and 4 years) to operating electric trains. Believe me when I […]
If your industrial park or big city needs a power boost, Menards has you covered with a three pack of electrical towers. While doing research, I learned that the industry term for this item is a transmission tower, at least in the United States. The towers are usually made from steel, and support overhead power […]
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 […]
