Rapido Trains HO scale barrel ore hoppers

Screen capture of two HO scale freight cars

Rapido Trains HO scale barrel ore hoppers Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he reviews the new HO scale National Steel Car barrel ore hoppers from Rapido Trains. The models are offered in 35- and 42-foot versions and are decorated for Canadian National and Ontario Northland in various paint schemes. The ready-to-run barrel ore hoppers […]

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In Memoriam: Gilbert (Gil) A. Freitag

a picture of a man by his layout

Gil Freitag, builder of the HO scale Stoney Creek & Western, died May 22 in Houston, Texas. He was 86 years old. Gil’s wife, Virginia, passed away on April 19, 2022. Gil’s layout was featured many times in the hobby press, including the July 1982, August 1995, and April 2003 issues of Model Railroader, as […]

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In Memoriam: James (Jim) A. Sacco

Photo of model railroad with structures, vehicles, and trains.

James (Jim) A. Sacco, founder of City Classics, died on March 6 after a multi-year battle with cancer. He was 66. Jim started City Classics in 1989. The company was well known for its structure offerings in HO and N scales. Over the years Jim added other products to the company’s lineup, including window treatments, […]

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In Memoriam: Bob Phelps

Photo of three men, one holding an award.

Bob Phelps, former principal product design engineer at Pritchard Patent Product Co. Ltd. (Peco), passed away at his home in France on March 24. He was 84 years old. Phelps joined Peco in 1964 as a product designer. Steve Haynes, sales manager at Peco, said, “Bob was a huge American model railroading fan and a […]

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News & products for the week of April 7, 2022

Photo of large scale streetcar painted yellow and blue with red pinstripe and gray roof on brass track with brown ties.

Large scale streetcars 1914 San Francisco Muni streetcar no. 130. Includes two Bühler motors and mfx/Digital Command Control decoder with various light and sound functions. Running sounds work in analog. $960. Third quarter 2022. LGB (Märklin, Inc.), 800-321-8811, lgb.com   Large scale sets Norfolk Southern Rescue Train. Three-piece set includes diesel locomotive, tank car, and […]

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In Memoriam: Don Ball

man wearing glasses smiling for photographer wearing breastplate transmitter and headset.

Don Ball, a frequent contributor to Model Railroader magazine, died on January 21 at his home in Blue Springs, Mo. He was 73 years old. Most of Don’s articles focused on projects he was working on for his 37 x 40-foot HO scale Stockton & Copperopolis RR, set in 1895. The topics were wide ranging, […]

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Model railroad products for the week of January 27, 2022

Athearn Ready-to-Roll HO scale Chicago & North Western Evans 50-foot double-plug-door boxcar no. 600523.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest news on new model railroad products such as 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 27, 2022. See all products […]

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Model railroad product news for the week of January 20, 2022

Atlas O Pennsylvania RR class X29 40-foot boxcar no. 498294 with Stores Dept. “S”.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest model railroad product news 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 20, 2022. See all new products and product […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, and passenger equipment announcements for January 13, 2022

Athearn Genesis 2.0 HO scale Norfolk Southern General Electric Dash 9-40C no. 8855

Product news 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 13, 2022. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD45-2 diesel locomotive. Atchison, […]

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Rapido adds to HO scale Icons of Canadian Steam line

Illustration with side and nose views of four HO scale Canadian Pacific Class H1a and H1b steam locomotives from Rapido Trains.

Rapido Trains is ringing in 2022 with another exciting steam announcement. Canadian Pacific (CP) Class H1a and H1b 4-6-4 Hudsons will be joining the HO scale Icons of Canadian Steam product range. The models will have road-number-specific details; separate, factory-applied handrails and grab irons; blackened metal wheels and driving rods; correct cylinders and valve gear; […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, structure, electronics, and scenery announcements for January 6, 2022

Custom Model Railroads HO scale City Station kit

Product news 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 6, 2022. HO scale freight cars U.S. Navy helium tank car. […]

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