News & Products for the week of February 3rd 2025

A blue, red and white model locomotive on model rail track

News & Products for the week of February 3rd 2025   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 3rd, […]

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Decade-plus of technological advancements in model locomotives

Color photo of N scale diesel locomotive mechanism.

Locomotives, regardless of scale, have always been at the forefront of technological advancements in model railroading. Over the past decade, this trend has accelerated: bringing in innovative features and enhancements that redefine the hobby. Whether they’re seen as trailblazers for the future or as models featuring nothing but “all the bells and whistles,” let’s explore […]

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Model Railroader staff’s favorite track plans

A model railroad track plan with two illustrated figures standing at the layout

When it come to track plans, everyone has a favorite. After all, each modeler values and prioritizes different aspects of model railroading. Some prefer intricate freight switching layouts, while others prefer long, continuous passenger routes. Some like layouts with dense foliage and rolling hills, whereas other modelers may prefer flat, desert landscapes. We here at […]

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Rail shipments for an oyster cannery

Color photo of N scale freight car painted blue with silver and gray details.

Q: I was wondering if you could provide me with information on what kind of loads an oyster cannery sends and receives? — Markus Russ A: I cast the net wide (pun fully intended) to help answer your question. I started internally. Trains magazine Associate Editor Bob Lettenberger wrote “Five mind-blowing facts — Stilwell Oyster […]

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News & Products for the week of January 27th 2025

A set of three model freight cars

News & Products for the week of January 27th 2025   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 27th, […]

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An N scale carferry inspired by MR

Color photo showing N scale carferry with lights.

In 1980 and 1981, my wife and I rode round trips on the Viking and Badger, respectively, when they were still being used as railroad carferries operating between Wisconsin and Michigan. After those trips, I wanted to build an N scale version of the Viking. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or skills required back […]

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Upgrade old freight cars

The underside of a red model freight car with coupler

Q: Was there ever an article on converting old railcars to accept modern trucks and couplers? I have a few HO Tyco cars that need to be converted. — Jason Trew A: Jim Kelly and Andy Sperandeo co-authored “Kadee couplers” in the May 1981 issue of Model Railroader. The article covered both N and HO […]

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News & Products for the week of January 21st 2025

News & Products for the week of January 21st 2025   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 21st, […]

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Atlas N Alco RSD5

Color photo showing nose details on N scale diesel.

The Alco RSD5 diesel locomotive is back for another run in the N scale Atlas Classic line. The six-axle road switcher, part of the Atlas lineup since 1999, is now offered with a factory-installed speaker (Silver Series), an ESU LokSound V5 Digital Command Control and sound decoder (Gold Series), and a revised chassis. Prototype history […]

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The Sn3 Rio Grande Southern layout

The track plan for the Sn3 Rio Grande Southern layout

Facts and features Name: Rio Grande SouthernScale: Sn3 (1:64 proportion, 3-foot gauge track)Size: 22 x 22 feetPrototype: Rio Grande SouthernLocale: ColoradoEra: 1930Style: walk-inMainline run: 154 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 4%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 34″ to 56″Roadbed: plywood and HomasoteTack: code 70 flextrack with scratchbuilt turnoutsScenery: plaster over chicken wireBackdrop: photosControl: NCE Digital Command […]

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Adhesives for attaching roadbed

Color photo of man in dark red sweater attaching cork strip to model railroad.

Q: What is the best adhesive to use for attaching cork roadbed to wood or extruded-foam insulation board? — Ronald Jaeger A: In Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders — Second Edition (Kalmbach Books, 2014), Jeff Wilson wrote, “Cork can be nailed in place, but glue is a much neater option. I prefer white glue for […]

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News & Products for the week of January 13th 2025

A white model freight car on model railroad track with red lettering

News & Products for the week of January 13th 2025   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 13th, […]

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