A 1977 interview with Linn Westcott

vintage photo of man next to model trains

by Eric White Although he wasn’t the first editor of Model Railroader (that was Al Kalmbach), Linn Westcott was for many years the face of Model Railroader and model railroading. Besides guiding Model Railroader as a monthly magazine, Linn was also an innovator, always looking for a better way to do things. His most enduring […]

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News & Products for the week of January 15th 2024

A set of two model boxcars in an orange paint scheme

News & Products for the week of January 15th 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 January 15th […]

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Lionel releases 2024 Volume 1 catalog

cover of Lionel catalog

Lionel Trains has released their 2024 Volume 1 catalog. The 228-page catalog features lots of new items, including new intellectual properties from Bob Ross, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Barbie. Lionel celebrates several anniversaries in this catalog, including the 20th anniversary of The Polar Express movie, Batman’s 85th anniversary, and the Wizard of Oz’s 85th anniversary. […]

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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 […]

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News & Products for the week of January 8th 2024

A model flatcar with a steel ladle load

News & Products for the week of January 8th 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 January 8th […]

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2024 Midwest Region Large Scale Train Show

logo of show

The Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society announces the 2024 Midwest Region Large Scale Train Show, to be held at EnterTrainment Junction in West Chester, Ohio. This year’s event features expanded hours, a live-steam module set up, and clinics on both battery power and weathering basics. 2024 Midwest Region Large Scale Train Show Date: March 30, […]

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Meet Bill Clark

view of toy train layout and room

My first train set (or locomotive) was…? I got my first train set for Christmas in 1948 — I was 3 years old. I had no idea I was going to get a train. I remember my mom coming into my bedroom and waking me up not too long after I went to bed. She […]

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Atlas O Premier streamlined passenger cars

Cover image of Atlas O Premier December 2023 catalog featuring streamlined passenger cars.

Atlas O Premier streamlined passenger cars were the subject of a surprise product announcement in late December. The manufacturer will be offering the 70-foot cars in two- and four-car sets as well as single cars, all in multiple paint schemes. Four-car sets Atlas O will be offering six four-car sets. Paint schemes include Delaware & […]

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New HO hopper from Tangent Scale Models

Color photo of HO scale hopper painted black with orange and white graphics.

Tangent Scale Models kicked off 2024 with a splash by releasing a new HO scale four-bay hopper. The model, based on an Illinois Central (IC) Centralia Shops 3,834-cubic-foot capacity prototype, features injection-molded plastic construction, wire grab irons and uncoupling levers, and road-specific details. Paint schemes Paint schemes on the initial release of the Centralia Shops […]

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Tracks Mentoring offering scholarships to teenagers

logo of website for New Tracks Modeling

New Tracks Mentoring, Inc. is pleased to announce that they will award three $2,000.00 scholarships in 2024, including the special $2,000.00 scholarship provided by the NMRA PCR Region. All young model railroaders who will be either a high school graduate in 2024, or are already a high school graduate and pursuing a STEAM degree from […]

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News & Products for the week of January 3rd 2024

A model factory structure

News & Products for the week of January 3rd 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 January 3rd […]

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Preview January and February 2024 Garden Railways content

model of water tower

While we may no longer be printing Garden Railways magazine, we’re adding new content to Trains.com every week! Here’s a few recent items, and a preview of what’s coming in the next month. Become a Trains.com member so you don’t miss any of this great content! If you have a story suggestion, email editor@gardenrailways.com   […]

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