Train City Inc. closing its doors

screenshot of website

Train City, Inc. is closing its doors after 40 years in the model train business. Charles Siegel, owner,  announced that he was retiring on his website, traincity.com.  Train City, Inc. specialized in buying model train collections and estates. “To our customers everywhere, thank you for your business. You kept us in business a long time, […]

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News & Products for the week of November 6th 2023

An image of a model freight car in a yellow paint scheme

News & Products for the week of November 6th 2023   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 November 6th […]

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Lionel 2023 Volume II catalog and the treasures it holds

Lionel catalog page

Lionel’s 2023 Volume II catalog came out this summer, and several of the new locomotives, pieces of rolling stock, and accessories captured my interest. Let me share the new entries that, from the perspective of a postwar enthusiast, caught my eye. Maybe something in the latest Lionel catalog will speak to you as well. Different […]

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Preview November and December 2023 CTT content

scene on layout with flatcar hauling gold

We’re always adding new content to our website. Here are some recent items you may have missed. November new products Lots of new items this month from Lionel, Menards, ScaleTrains, and more! History behind the word kitbashing Roger Carp digs in to learn the meaning of this popular hobby term. GG-1 reversing unit? Joe Mania […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for November 2023

black and green model steam locomotive

Locomotives and rolling stock Lionel has announced a 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex locomotive as part of its VisionLine series. Features include operation in Legacy, TMCC, or conventional mode; Bluetooth control; Lionel Voice Control; Odyssey II Speed Control; rear ElectroCoupler, Legacy Railsounds, tender smoke unit, and much more. The engines will be available in 11 road names (Erie […]

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News & Products for the week of October 30th 2023

A model locomotive in a white and orange paint scheme

News & Products for the week of October 30th 2023   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 October 30th […]

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In Memoriam: F. Raoul Martin

F. Raoul Martin, founder of NorthWest Short Line

F. Raoul Martin, founder of NorthWest Short Line, passed away on September 9, 2023 at the age of 87. Raoul founded NorthWest Short Line in 1958, importing brass models from Japan. He later became one of the first model railroad importers to move production to Korea. By the early 1970s, Raoul was exploring building brass […]

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News & Products for the week of October 23rd 2023

News & Products for the week of October 23rd 2023   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 October 23rd […]

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Meet Ted Yarbrough

Man holding walkie-talkie near cab of locomotive

How did you get started in the hobby? I received my first model electric train for my sixth Christmas. It was an American Flyer train. Nothing against Lionel, but I told Santa that I wanted a train with two rails, like the real ones. Like many modelers, I really started building what you might consider […]

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Atlas O Fall 2023 Premier Catalog

Catalog cover image

The Atlas O Fall 2023 Premier Catalog was recently posted on the manufacturer’s website. The 32-page catalog features a mix of locomotives, commuter cars, and rolling stock from the Premier, Master, and Trainman product ranges. The last four pages of the catalog include previously announced track, structures, and accessories. Two models that will be making […]

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News & Products for the week of October 16th 2023

News & Products for the week of October 16th 2023   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 October 16th […]

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Six new HO models from Rapido Trains

Color photo of room with display tables and people walking around.

Rapido Trains hosted a dealer open house at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Essex, Conn. During the event, the manufacturer unveiled several new HO scale products. Here’s a rundown of some of the items announced. Locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD7, SD9, and SD10 diesel locomotives were among the six […]

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