Model Railroader’s 2021 Essential Product Guide

Model Railroader’s 2021 Essential Product Guide Sponsored By: Industry Partners of Model Railroader magazine There has never been a better time to be a model railroader. Advancements in product technologies have made the hobby more realistic, easier to operate, and frankly more fun than ever before! This article highlights some of the top products on […]

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New type of virtual model train show will be held in April

Yellow-black World's Greatest Hobby logo featuring an illustrated steam locomotive and caboose.

 The first virtual model train show to replicate the in-person train show experience, an event dubbed World’s Greatest Hobby Online, will take place on April 17th. The event is sponsored by the World’s Greatest Hobby, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It will feature digital exhibits and keynote addresses from some of the best-known model train […]

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April 2021

Trains April 2021 issue cover

In every issue News p. 4 Interview: NJ Transit CEO discusses successful effort to meet PTC deadline Bill Stephens p. 9 A house near the tracks: There’s no better place to learn to love trains Brian Solomon p. 10 Passenger and freight separation? Considering the effects of dividing railroad networks Preservation p. 44 Eight events to look forward to in 2021 Train-Watching p. […]

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May 2021

May cover

Also in this issue: EDITOR’S DESK, pg. 5 LETTERS, pg. 6 MODERN ERA NOTES, pg. 8 PHOTO ALBUM, pg. 10 NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 14 Collectible cars, Frank Ellison repro building, Plasticville, U.S.A. book VIEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND, pg. 17 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, pg. 18 GREATEST FIND, pg. 29 A colorful Lionel set from J.C. […]

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May 2021

Cover image of May 2021 Model Railroad magazine.

Also in this issue:  FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 6 Big results from modest-sized layouts NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 10 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 What kind of food goes in what kind of car? REHAB MY RAILROAD, pg. 22 A compact yard office for Jones Island DCC CURRENTS, pg. 44 Adding sound to […]

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Classic Trains

Model railroading how-tos and track plans. Video workshops. Railroad news and history. Thousands of magazine issues. Trains.com Unlimited members get it all! […]

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Welcome to the new home of Model Railroader!

Man gesturing before a gray-white graphic background.

  Welcome to Trains.com, the new home for Model Railroader online and for all the content we publish on model trains. In this video, Trains.com Executive Producer David Popp talks about how to log-in to the new Trains.com website so you can get the most out of a Model Railroader subscription AND what more MR […]

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BNSF Railway locomotives reviewed

Three diesel locomotives outside shop building

The motive power fleet of BNSF Railway, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020, has come a long way since Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Burlington Northern merged in 1995. The railroad has transformed its roster from one of the most eclectic in modern times to a more refined fleet of locomotives with a […]

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March 2021

Model Railroader Cover image from March 2021.

More in this issue FROM THE EDITOR •Dreaming, planning, and model railroading NEWS & PRODUCTS •Hobby industry news ASK MR •What’s a demonstrator locomotive? REHAB MY RAILROAD •Adding water scenes to Jones Island DCC CURRENTS •Digitrax UT6D throttle and Peco Unifrogs PRODUCT REVIEWS •Atlas Classic HO Scale RSD-5 diesel •Kitwood Hill Models 36-foot On30 •Athearn […]

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Winter 2020

Cover of the Winter 2020 issue of Classic Trains.

More in this issue WELCOME •J. David Ingles, 1941-2020 FAST MAIL •Letters from readers on our Fall 2020 issue THE WAY IT WAS •Tales from rail fans and railroaders BUMPING POST •FEC’s Miami station HEAD END •A potpourri of railroad history, then and now TRUE COLOR ‘Pere Marquette’ passing Rougemere MILEPOSTS Commentary by Kevin P. […]

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March 2021

Trains Magazine March 2021 cover

More in this issue NEWS •Railroads and automated trucks •Hydrogen-powered trains •Battery power in Europe BRIAN SOLOMON •Observing enduring technologies: Piecing together history from details in an old photo BILL STEPHENS •Modern marvel: the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific coal Joint Line TRAIN-WATCHING •Hot-spot: Columbia River Gorge ASK TRAINS •EMD vs. GE heritage units •Flat […]

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