Actor Michael Gross shares hobby insights

Actor Michael Gross shares hobby insights | Yes, that @actormichaelgross is engaged to present a keynote address at the Gateway 2022 National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) convention banquet on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Prior to this St. Louis, Mo., event, Michael graciously took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Eric White, Editor […]

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Athearn Genesis Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive

blue and white illustration of locomotive

Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $239.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $339.99. Era: 1970s to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Celcon handrails Detailed fuel tank with […]

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40-foot American Car & Foundry boxcar from Walthers

green boxcar

40-foot American Car & Foundry boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1960s to 1980s Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 40-foot American Car & Foundry boxcar features: Injection-molded plastic 10-panel body Tall ladders on the B (brake wheel) end Short ladders on the A […]

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Knoxville Locomotive Works General Electric 25-ton diesel locomotive from PIKO America

green and black large scale locomotive

Knoxville Locomotive Works General Electric 25-ton diesel locomotive Scale: Large (1:24) Price: $449.99 Era: Modern Manufacturer: PIKO America, LLC, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego, CA 92120; piko-america.com Knoxville Locomotive Works 25-ton diesel locomotive features: R/C pocket remote with pre-programmed buttons to control speed, direction, horn, and whistle (remote includes CR2025 battery) Powered by […]

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Broadway Limited Imports Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive

model of a Big Boy

Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $869.99 Era: 1940s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive features: Die-cast metal boiler, tender body, and chassis Synchronized puffing smoke with chuff sound […]

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ScaleTrains debuts Pullman-Standard 5,820-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper

Photo of blue HO scale covered hopper on scenicked base.

Pullman-Standard 5,820-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper A Pullman-Standard 5,820-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper was unveiled at the ScaleTrains booth during the St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet in Collinsville, Ill., on July 29. The HO scale freight car, scheduled for release in February 2023, will be offered in the company’s Rivet Counter and Operator lines. Road names […]

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In Memoriam: Jerome (Jerry) A. Braet

Jerry Braet, whose HO scale Granger, Denrock & Southern layout was twice featured in Model Railroader, passed away on February 19 in East Moline, Ill. He was 82 years old. Jerry started work on his model railroad, which was inspired by John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid, in 1973. The layout was first featured in MR […]

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Tangent Scale Models unveils new HO scale freight car

Photo of orange HO scale boxcar on white background

Gunderson Bros. HO scale freight car Tangent Scale Models unveiled a Gunderson Bros. 50-foot 6,089-cubic-foot capacity high-cube double-plug-door boxcar at the St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers meet in Collinsville, Ill., on Friday, July 29. This is Tangent’s second new freight car release in 2022. The model, in stock now, is decorated for Denver & Rio […]

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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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American Z Line July 2022 (part 2) diesel locomotive announcements

diesel locomotive in Canadian National paint

American Z Line diesel locomotive announcements for July 2022 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Wisconsin Central Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive in Canadian National paint, early 2000s to present. Denver & Rio Grande Western Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, January-February 1947 to March 1950 (as decorated). Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com American […]

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American Z Line July 2022 diesel locomotive announcements

gray diesel locomotive

American Z Line diesel locomotive announcements for July 2022 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Louisville & Nashville Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive, November 1971 to mid-1980s. Freedom Train Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, 1947 to 1949. Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com EMD SW1500 features: AutoLatch couplers Prototype-specific details Directional light-emitting-diode lighting Blackened […]

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Bachmann HO scale Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive

black steam locomotive

Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $569 Era: 1914-1928 to 1947-1959 Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive features: Blackened metal RP-25 contour wheels and side rods Die-cast metal trailing truck Dual-mode TCS WOWSound decoder E-Z […]

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