BNSF 2022 Model Railroad Photo Contest

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BNSF 2022 Model Railroad Photo Contest Model railroaders, it’s time to show off your layouts featuring BNSF or predecessor trains! Post photos or short videos of your model railroad to your Instagram account or in the Friends of BNSF Facebook group no later than midnight Central time on Sunday, Oct. 16. Be sure to include […]

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New detail parts from Rail Scale Models

Model of oval oil tank

New detail parts Scale: See below Price: 4-foot smokejack (N scale, $.65; HO, $1.15; S, $1.85; and O, $1.85). 8-foot tall brick chimney (N scale, $.85; HO, $1.70; S, $2.15; and O, $2.85). 90-degree smoke pipe with cap (N scale, $.95; HO, $1.35; S, $1.35; and O, $1.95). 200-gallon oil tank (N scale, $1.75; HO, $3.15; and […]

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Athearn Genesis General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive

Orange and dark green diesel locomotive with no logos

General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99. Add $10 for Primed for Grime models. Era: 1994+ to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive features: Trainline and […]

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WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper

Model of gray hopper car in front of white background

WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 walthers.com Era: 2007 to present (as decorated) Road names: Trinity Industries Leasing (gray and black [75th anniversary] schemes), Archer Daniels Midland (gray with modern logo), Bunge North America Inc. (gray), Cenex Harvest States Cooperative (gray), CIT […]

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WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper

Model of gray hopper car in front of white background

WalthersProto Trinity four-bay covered hopper Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 walthers.com Era: 2007 to present (as decorated) Road names: Trinity Industries Leasing (gray and black [75th anniversary] schemes), Archer Daniels Midland (gray with modern logo), Bunge North America Inc. (gray), Cenex Harvest States Cooperative (gray), CIT […]

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Walthers HO scale stop signs

City street scene with yellow stop sign

Stop signs Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: 10-pack, $14.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Stop sign features: Factory-painted and printed Two versions: Yellow and black (1924-1954) and red and white (1954-present) Release date: Winter 2023 News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get […]

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Meet James Royal

small layout on an oval table

Meet James Royal How did you get started in the hobby? I got started with my Dad back in the 1950s. He had a modular Lionel O scale layout in our attic with a Santa Fe Super Chief AB set with freight cars that was about 8 x 24 feet and included several operating accessories […]

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Virginian Ry. class BL-4 ballast hopper decals from Great Decals

Sheet of decals on tabletop

Virginian class BL-4 ballast hopper black decals Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $4.99 postpaid Manufacturer: Great Decals, 3306 Parkside Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22031; greatdecals.com Decals feature: Printed by Tichy Train Group Includes herald, road name, and road numbers for sides and ends; dimensional data; and operator instructions Each set completes one car Suitable for Tyco operating hopper or other […]

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How to add figures to your Amtrak passenger cars

model passenger car with roof removed

Passengers were the missing element on the daily Amtrak trains operating over my HO Ohio Southern until I discovered sets of seated figures made by Faller and Noch. Best of all, they fit right into the molded interior seats in Walthers’ classic streamliners. My Amtrak train represents a secondary turn-around run covered by the older […]

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How to re-stencil reporting marks

hopper car with re-stenciled reporting marks

How to re-stencil reporting marks: If you’ve waited at a grade crossing recently, you’ve probably noticed many freight cars with their original reporting marks painted out and new ones applied. This is done because the car’s ownership has changed. Since repainting an entire freight car is costly, patching over old reporting marks is an accepted […]

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