A big landmark in any model railroader’s “career” is when the basic train set is expanded into a layout. Many modelers start with a simple oval of track as their base, often in the form of a store-bought train set. From here, the possibilities are endless! Your layout won’t come together overnight. You’ll make mistakes, …
2019: Model Railroading Year in Review
As 2019 draws to a close, we’re taking a look at products and innovations which have stood out to us over the past year. With new locomotives, rolling stock, and continued technological advances, there’s no doubt that 2019 was a great year to be a model railroader! Locomotives 2019 was arguably one of the best …
A History of The Lionel Polar Express
Since the Chris van Allsburg book was published in 1985, the Polar Express has become an essential part of Christmas for families all over the world, topping bestseller lists and remaining popular year after year, enduring the ever increasing number of new books released each Christmas. The release of the The Polar Express movie in …
Winter Landscaping: Tips and Tricks for Creating a Winter Layout
At this time of year, we’re all thinking about what we can do to create an inspirational winter layout, teeming with realism and seasonal features that makes us feel like we’ve stepped into a true winter wonderland. Let’s take a look at how you can create a stunning winter layout by following a few simple …
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Model Railroad Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is here and we’ve curated a list of our best products for gift giving (even if that gift is to yourself). Let’s take a look at the hottest products heading out of the station for the 2019 holiday season. Polar Express Sets and Add-Ons Holidays and The Polar Express. Peanut butter and …
Coiled Up: The New Evans 100-Ton Coil Car from Intermountain
Coil Cars are a common sight on manifest freights across North America. In this post, we’ll be checking out the new HO Scale Evans 100-Ton example from Intermountain! The Prototype Until the 1960s, steel coils were generally transported either in open or covered gondola cars. This presented a problem, as there was no efficient way …
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5 Innovative Layouts to Inspire your Winter Scenes
As the weather grows colder and the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time than now to find inspiration for your winter themed model railroad! Let’s take a look at some of the most inspiring seasonal layouts we’ve come across while researching for our own holiday scenes. 1. Winter Railroading in the Mountains …
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Whats the Deal with Wheels?
Wheels – they’re an integral part of every model train. But you might be surprised to know that there is far more to them than just watching them roll. With multiple size and material choices, things can get confusing very quickly, especially when it comes to replacing them or building a kit. In this article, …
Shark Attack: The Broadway Limited Imports Baldwin BF16
Now available for the first time with Paragon3 DCC and Sound, we take a look at one of the most unique diesel locomotives to grace HO scale rails. The Prototype The onset of the diesel era was not kind to the Baldwin Locomotive Works. During the 1940s, the legendary steam builder had seen little success …
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Which Era Should You Model?
With more than 190 years of history, it can be difficult to decide which period to base your layout on. Do you yearn for that lonesome whistle in the night? Are you a history buff fascinated with the civil war? Are you enthralled by the power and technology of modern locomotives? In this article, we’re …