News & Products for the week of February 12th 2024

A model coal hopper car in a red, white and blue paint scheme

News & Products for the week of February 12th 2024   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 12th […]

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Why do my trains stop between wiring blocks?

A wiring diagram showing how to wire a simple track plan for dual cab control

Q: I’m experiencing a problem with trains that stop between wiring blocks on my N scale train layout. I have two identical direct current (DC) power packs and am using Kato Unitrack throughout the layout. One power pack runs the main line while the other operates the yards. The problem is that whenever I attempt […]

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Build an N scale drive-in theater

Star Trek plays on a drive-in theater screen

Over nearly 40 years I’ve built seven train layouts. I started out with N scale, then discovered large scale trains. I’ve built both indoor and outdoor large scale layouts over the years. I loved my backyard garden railroad but had to give it up due to structural issues and age. So I returned to my […]

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Common methods for uncoupling cars

Photo showing two flatcars and assorted uncoupling items.

Automatic knuckle couplers have been a part of model railroading for more than 60 years. Not only do these couplers look more like what you see on full-size locomotives and freight cars, they’re easy to install and use. You can learn more about them in my articles on HO and N scale couplers on Trains.com. […]

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In Memoriam: Jim Hediger

Photo of man standing by HO scale model railroad.

Jim Hediger, a member of the Model Railroader staff from 1972 to 2015, passed away on February 9, 2024 in Oconomowoc, Wis. Early years Jim was born in Chicago to Norm and Elenore Hediger. While in the Windy City, his father worked for the Grand Trunk Western. When Jim was 13, his family moved to […]

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The Ashville Lumber Co. layout in HO scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Ashville Lumber Co.Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 6 x 8 feet (three 2 x 4-foot sections)Prototype: freelancedLocale: southeastern United StatesEra: 1940sStyle: shelfMainline run: 20 feetMinimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: Atlas No. 4Maximum grade: 3.5%Benchwork: open grid Height: 45″ to 49″Roadbed: Studio Décor mat board Track: code 83 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation board and papier-mâché Backdrop: […]

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Stop that train: Railroading is violent business

Worker look under derailed commuter car

Railroading Railroading is violent business. Freight cars coupling sound like small explosions, diesel engines reverberate like distant thunder, and horns at grade crossings are so loud that even deaf people can feel them. So, with all of this violent sound going on, how do you get the attention of a railroader at work? Use more […]

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The Albuquerque Division Third District layout in HO scale

A model layout trackplan

Facts & features Name: Albuquerque Division Third DistrictScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 50 x 50 feetPrototype: Santa FeLocale: ArizonaEra: 1953Style: double deckMainline run: 600 feetMinimum radius: 48″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1%Benchwork: tabletop on wall bracketsHeight: 40″ to 56″Roadbed: plywood spline and 3⁄4″ plywood plus HomasoteTrack: code 83 flextrack (main), code 55 and 70 (elsewhere)Scenery: HydrocalBackdrop: tempered […]

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Tangent Scale Models HO postwar boxcar

Color 3/4 view of HO scale boxcar painted brown with black and white graphics.

A line of Pullman-Standard Southern Pacific Lines 40’-6” postwar boxcars is now available from Tangent Scale Models. Designed from PS blueprints and field measurements of full-size cars, the HO scale models include prototype-specific details, new American Steel Foundries 50-ton A-3 Ride Control trucks, and Kadee scale couplers. The prototype Many railroads looked to improve their […]

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Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30

Title screen of Product Review video featuring Broadway Limited Imports HO scale GP30 diesel locomotive.

In our latest Product Review video, we’ll head down to the quarry on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout to see the Broadway Limited Imports HO EMD GP30 in action. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 2710; points out the […]

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