Model Railroader After Hours | February 1st, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | February 1st, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! Host David Popp chugs along with efforts on his and various other N scale T-Trak modules, but he takes a moment to relax […]

Read More…

Model Railroader After Hours | February 1st, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | February 1st, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! Host David Popp chugs along with efforts on his and various other N scale T-Trak modules, but he takes a moment to relax […]

Read More…

Guide to N scale metal wheelsets

Color photo of N scale wheelsets in packaging

Last month, I wrote about metal wheelsets offered in HO scale. In this guide to N scale metal wheelsets, I’ll cover the options available for those who model in 1:160 proportion. The case for metal wheelsets N scale wheelsets have come a long way since the 1960s and 1970s. For many years, Micro-Trains N scale […]

Read More…

Model Train Stuff announces closure

Future of M.B. Klein: a logo featuring a steam train in front of a red circle with a yellow banner bearing text which reads "Model Train Stuff"

M.B. Klein, also known as Model Train Stuff, has announced their closure after 111 years in operation. This announcement was released on their website as well as on their social media channels. Uncertainty has surrounded Model Train Stuff following the closure of Hattons Model Railways, a United Kingdom-based model railways manufacturer and distributor which owned […]

Read More…

How to ballast Kato N scale Unitrack

A steam locomotive sits on a diorama base with ballasted track.

I can’t deny that I love Kato Unitrack. Its ease of operation, solid electrical contact, top-notch quality, and quick setup time make it irresistible to me. And unlike other plastic roadbed track brands and products, it has more prototypical dimensions. But there’s also no denying that straight out of the box it looks toy-like, a […]

Read More…

Where to buy model trains

Color photo showing front of a hobby shop located in a shopping plaza.

The holiday season is when many people get introduced to model railroading. It usually starts with a train set that contains a locomotive, a few freight cars, a caboose, some track, and a power supply. Eventually, you’ll probably want another locomotive or some new cars. Here are some ideas on where to buy model trains. […]

Read More…

Trainfest 2024 dates and location set

red logo

In a press release sent to Kalmbach Media, Great American Train Shows has confirmed the dates and location of the 2024 Trainfest show. The event will be held from November 23-24 at the Baird Center, located at 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., in Milwaukee, Wis. According to the GTS website, consumer tickets will go on sale […]

Read More…

T-TRAK Project Part 4: Wiring for modules

Hand holding black and gray remote control with green lighted screen with blue and gray model train on silver, gray, and black model train track.

Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy install the wiring power bus and Digital Command Control system on their modular T-TRAK N scale layout. T-TRAK is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this fourth installment, the trio demonstrates how to build a portable […]

Read More…

Hattons Model Railways to close doors

Hattons Model Railways logo

After 77 years in the model railway business, Hattons Model Railways has announced its upcoming closure. Hattons Model Railways opened in 1946 and has produced its own models, distributed other manufacturers’ products, purchased and sold pre-owned collections, and staffed a brick-and-mortar store. The exact date of closing is not known yet, but it will be […]

Read More…

Five tips for disassembling locomotives

Photo of switcher chassis with pile of parts next to it.

My longtime friend Bill Phalen is working on an HO scale layout depicting the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis. Though his motive power fleet features many railroads from the area, one line wasn’t represented, the Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer. Bill wanted models of four of the LST&T’s six end-cab diesels, so […]

Read More…