Five model railroad painting hacks

Color photo showing HO scale 1950s farm tractor painted red with driver figure wearing bib overalls and the bristles of a paintbrush touching the left rear tire.

Painting is one of my favorite aspects of the hobby, though I guess that shouldn’t come as a big surprise. My father and grandfather were auto body repairmen, so painting (albeit on vehicles, not model trains) has been a part of my life from an early age. I started airbrushing model trains in my early […]

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The astonishing 5-week transformation of No. 331

1800s replica steam locomotive in rail yard. The astonishing 5-week transformation of No. 331.

Horneman Enterprises, an engineering firm specializing in rail equipment restoration, has rebuilt 4-4-0 Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad No. 331 — formerly No. 63 Leviathan — from a completely torn down to the boiler, to operational in 5 weeks. The rebuild completed the locomotive’s FRA 1,472 day inspection, which was accomplished over the course of […]

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Mexico begins work on passenger line to Nuevo Laredo

Map showing planned passenger rail projects in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday (Nov. 7) announced the start of the country’s latest major rail project, the Gulf of Mexico Train, a planned passenger route linking Nuevo Laredo at the U.S. border to the cities of Saltillo and Monterrey. Groundbreaking was held Friday in Nuevo Laredo for the first phase […]

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Caltrain warns of significant cuts without new funding

People on platform taking photos of new train

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain has become the latest commuter operator to outline dire operational impacts without new funding — in this case, a regional funding measure to be on the ballot a year from now, in November 2026. As outlined at the November meeting of the Caltrain board, potential impacts without funding from the […]

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Amtrak has seats, rooms at high prices as air cancellations mount

Streamlined electrified trainn approaching station

WASHINGTON — Taking the train as an alternative to a cancelled flight is only rarely mentioned in news reports on the flight reductions ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration starting today (Nov. 7, 2025). The lack of Amtrak awareness is not surprising, given the spindly nature of its national network compared to air travel and […]

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Wabtec to expand facilities in Brazil

Illustration of building with Wabtec signage and logo

CONTAGEM, Brazil — Wabtec will spend R$20 million ($3.7 million U.S.) to expand operations in Brazil, mostly at its plant in Contagem, Minas Gerais, the company announced this week. At Contagem, the company will build a new Global Engineering Center, its first in Latin America, and has developed a new locomotive production line. The 9,000-square-meter […]

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ScaleTrains HO EMD GP39E review

Color photo showing cab and short hood of HO scale diesel painted green, white, and black on white background.

As a Burlington Northern fan, I was fired up when ScaleTrains announced it was producing the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP39E in HO scale. The model, part of the manufacturer’s Rivet Counter line, depicts the four-axle road unit in its as-delivered appearance with Quantum Q2000 crossing strobes on the front deck. The full-size version of our […]

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Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7

Color photo showing nose of HO scale diesel locomotive painted red and gray with white, yellow, and black graphics on white background.

Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model, $239.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $349.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO EMD SD9 and SD7 features: Detailed cab interior Factory-installed grab irons and handrails MoPower capacitor Multi-piece radiator fans Multiple stepwell styles and […]

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OmniTRAX taps Brown for new chief strategy officer role

DENVER – Shortline holding company OmniTRAX has named Nathan Brown its chief strategy officer. In this new role reporting directly to the CEO, Brown will lead development and execution of the enterprise-wide OmniTRAX corporate strategy and strategic planning process. “OmniTRAX has experienced an unparalleled growth rate of 50% in the past five years, and network […]

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