Backdating the MR&T locomotive fleet

Color photo of HO scale steam switcher on scenicked base

Q: The historic cars for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy featured in the January 2025 episode of Ask Trains were very interesting (I grew up in Spokane, Portland & Seattle territory and am modeling some of that). What sort of steam and early diesel power would have been used to go with the cars of […]

Read More…

The Rise of HO Scale Model Trains

A model train passes on a bridge on a model railroad layout

HO scale model trains are a significant part of model railroading history, and we can partially credit the overall popularity of model trains with the rise of a convenient, tabletop scale like HO. With origins dating back a century, HO scale trains have grown into the most popular model train scale in the world.  Model […]

Read More…

Adding 18-foot Bachmann flatcars to the Fleet

Engine #24 heads out of Strong with flat # 323 in the consist on its way to Kingfield.

Our On30 Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad is a bit smaller than its prototype counterpart, running only from Kingfield to Strong, quite a few miles less than the 120 + miles covered by its full-scale counterpart. With this in mind, after seeing some Bachmann On30 18-foot boxcars on the internet, I decided that having […]

Read More…

How do I expand my starter train set?

The box for a Kato HV1 track expansion set

Did you just get a new train set for Christmas? Are you growing bored watching it go around and around the same oval? Don’t worry, your introduction into the world of model railroading is just beginning. Luckily for you, most train set manufacturers offer track expansion sets to help expand your starter train set.   […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of January 21st 2025

News & Products for the week of January 21st 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 January 21st, […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of January 13th 2025

A white model freight car on model railroad track with red lettering

News & Products for the week of January 13th 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 January 13th, […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of January 6th 2025

A red model rolling stock snowplow

News & Products for the week of January 6th 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 January 6th, […]

Read More…

Model Railroader’s favorite products of 2024

A red locomotive model with blue sky background

2024 saw some great model railroad product releases. As we begin a new year, Eric White, Cody Grivno, Mitch Horner, and I take a look back at some Model Railroader’s favorite products of 2024.   ScaleTrains HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy steel cupola caboose As you may have heard, Model Railroader’s HO scale staff […]

Read More…

Bachmann HO GE 44-ton diesel

Screen capture showing GE 44-ton switcher in blue and yellow paint on scenicked layout with product description in lower left corner.

The Bachmann HO GE 44-ton diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest product review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the switcher and Baltimore & Ohio No. 8301; points out the various detail parts on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

Read More…

Bachmann HO GE 44-ton diesel

Screen capture showing GE 44-ton switcher in blue and yellow paint on scenicked layout with product description in lower left corner.

The Bachmann HO GE 44-ton diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest product review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the switcher and Baltimore & Ohio No. 8301; points out the various detail parts on the model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions on […]

Read More…

Model trains for the 19th century

Color photo of steam locomotive and train passing over wood trestle and truss bridge.

Q: Many of Model Railroader’s articles, reviews, and advertisements focus on products representing the “modern” era, say the 1940s to the present. That’s OK, and much of your audience obviously enjoys modeling contemporary railroading. However, I’m interested in modeling the railroad industry as it was in the 19th century. Can you suggest the names of […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of December 23rd 2024

News & Products for the week of December 23rd 2024   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 23rd […]

Read More…