Conrail models you can buy

Model of blue diesel locomotive

Whether you need more blue on your locomotive roster or want to add Conrail units in other paint schemes to your layout, this is a comprehensive list of Conrail models you can buy. This list just focuses on locomotives and cabooses. Mixing Conrail freight cars into your rolling stock roster will also add some colorful […]

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News & Products for the week of February 27th 2023

An image of a model locomotive

News & Products for the week of February 27th 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 February 27th 2023. […]

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News & Products for the week of February 20th 2023

News & Products for the week of February 20th 2023: an image of a model flat car with mystery balloon load

News & Products for the week of February 20th 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 February 20th 2023. […]

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Model train packaging: So it arrives in one piece

Two blue boxes, one with a clear window and the other with a locomotive blueprint on it, on white table

On October 10, 2022, at approximately 12:36 p.m. local time, a pallet carrying 846 LNER Dynamometer Cars fell off of a delivery truck at Rapido’s UK headquarters. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, as you’ll find out), none of the models were destroyed. In a time where more and more of what we purchase arrives in a cardboard […]

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The N scale Adamsville Branchline layout

Facts & features Name: Adamsville Branchline Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-3″ x 3′-6″ Prototypes: Freelanced Locale: New England Era: Steam-to-diesel transition era Style: Island Mainline run: 13 feet Minimum radius: 9.5″ Minimum turnout: No. 4 Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: 1 x 2 open grid Height: 8″ Roadbed: Cork Track: Atlas code 80 flextrack Scenery: Cardboard […]

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N scale General Motors Diesel Division GP40-2W from Atlas

Screen capture of product review video.

An N scale General Motors Diesel Division GP40-2W from Atlas recently toured our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno talk about the features on the locomotive and take it for a tour of the “Mini Myrt.” Paint schemes on the four-axle road unit […]

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News & Products from the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show

An image of a model caboose

News & Products from the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show With the 2023 Railroad Hobby Show wrapping up, we thought it would be a perfect week to showcase the multiple new products released throughout the show. Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more […]

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Keeping your layout clean and operational

A black rectangular abrasive block and a dark red block near HO scale track

As modelers we take pride in our work, especially our layouts, whether they be a shelf layout, or a sprawling rail empire. One thing that we may not spend enough time doing, however, is taking care of said layout, especially cleaning it. We may run a track cleaning car around the mainline a few times […]

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Operating the layout — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 26

Operating the layout | In the previous Episode 25 (Car routing with JMRI OperationsPro), you saw the crew prepare the State Line Route N scale model railroad for an operating session. Now, host David Popp walks you through the prototypical actions as they transpire over the simple, yet engaging layout! Enjoying this coverage of our […]

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10 (or 11) ways to blow up a decoder

A locomotive shell with multiple colors of wires coming from a decoder

How do you blow up a decoder? Fail to isolate the motor, creating a dead short. Various older locomotives used the chassis as part of the power pathway to one of the motor brushes, making the chassis is electrically live. This can be easily fixed with insulating tape placed under the motor and plastic or […]

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News & Products for the week of January 30th 2023

An image of a model caboose

News & Products for the week of January 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. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 30th 2023.   […]

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