Lionel E8/E9 AA unit set

turquoise engine on layout

The Lionel E8/E9s were one of several amazing announcements coming out the Volume 1 2023 catalog.  If you’re into passenger trains, these engines are definitely for you!  With speeds of up to 117 mph thanks to 2,250 hp [2,400 hp for the E9s—Ed.] , these E units were a staple for leading passenger trains over […]

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Rapido Trains UK Great Western Railway AA20 Toad brake van

Model of a grey and white British enclosed crew train wagon with two silver wheels.

Available at www.rapidotrains.co.uk in 10 road numbers and several paint schemes. List price: £39.95 (approximately $50.00 as of this writing) Pluses Fine handrails, detailed interior, free-rolling metal wheels, and NEM coupler pockets Minuses Loose interior detail needed repair Verdict A highly detailed rendering of a staple of GWR and early British Railways rollingstock – every […]

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Atlas N scale S4 diesel locomotive

Screen capture from video with N scale locomotive in blue and yellow paint.

The Atlas N scale Alco S4 diesel locomotive recently paid a visit to our N scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno and associate editor Bryson Sleppy as they discuss the features on this newly tooled model, demonstrate some of the sound and light functions, and […]

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Athearn HO EMD SD39

Screen shot of title page for HO scale SD39 review video.

We’ll head down to Larson Stone on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout to check out a model from the latest run of HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD39 diesel locomotives produced by Athearn Trains. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno as he points out the features on the six-axle road locomotive, demonstrates some of […]

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Micro-Trains N scale mill gondola

Color photo of N scale gondola painted mineral brown.

A 65-foot mill gondola is the latest addition to the Micro-Trains Line Co. N scale freight car lineup. The injection-molded plastic model features positionable drop ends, metal wheelsets, and body-mounted Magne-Matic couplers. The Micro-Trains gondola is based on a Santa Fe class GA-47 prototype built by General American Transportation Corp. (GATC) in 1937. The gondolas […]

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Menards Cripple Creek Beam Pump

oil beam pump model accessory

Menards Cripple Creek Beam Pump is now available on the Menards website. The oil industry has been a part of this country for more than 100 years. A familiar sight in many parts of the country is an oil beam pump. The beam pump, also known as a pumpjack, horse-head, or several other colorful names, […]

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WalthersMainline HO Trinity 4750 covered hopper

Color photo of HO scale covered hopper on white background.

Arriving in hobby shops now is the Walthers Trinity 4,750-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper. The newly tooled model, based on a Burlington Northern prototype, is part of the manufacturer’s Mainline series and features injection-molded plastic construction. Prototype history Our sample is decorated as Burlington Northern 466071, part of the railroad’s 466000 through 466999 series built […]

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Lionel Husky-Stack Cars

model of Husky-stack car

Lionel Husky Stack-Cars are now available. For the modern-day modeler, a hole in the market for the better part of the last decade would be the availability of scale intermodal cars. Atlas’s Gunderson well cars are next to impossible to find on the secondhand market, and previous releases by Lionel lacked details. Many were not […]

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Atlas HO scale EMD GP40

Title screen of Atlas HO scale EMD GP40 review video.

The Atlas HO scale EMD GP40 is back for another run, this time with ditch lights on select road names. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno as he points out the features on the four-axle road switcher, demonstrates some of the light and sound features, and switches cars on the Jones Island section of […]

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The return of the MTH RS11

side view of dark green diesel locomotive

The return of the MTH RS11: Making its first return to the MTH Premier Line since 2019, the Alco RS11 brings with it the grit and grind that we’ve come to love from Alco locomotives. From the unique angles on the frame to the cranking engine effects, this model will quickly become a favorite road […]

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Atlas O PS 4427 high-side covered hopper

Color photo of O scale three-bay covered hopper in Oxide Red paint with white graphics.

A Pullman-Standard 4427 high-side three-bay covered hopper is making its debut in the Atlas O Premier line. The model, acquired when Atlas O purchased select M.T.H. tooling in March 2021, features plastic and die-cast metal construction and a mix of molded and separate, factory-applied detail parts. Prototype history The PS 4,427-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper […]

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