Product Reviews

Enjoy our in-depth reviews of great new model railroading products in a variety of popular scales, presented by the Model Railroad News staff. Please contact Editor Tony Cook to have your product considered for review.

A New “Horizon” in HO scale Rapido Trains’ Amtrak Horizon passenger cars

April 8, 2021

A New “Horizon” in HO scale Rapido Trains’ Amtrak Horizon passenger cars

Rapido Trains delivers its all-new Horizon passenger car models in HO scale.

The Pacific Northwest’s Own Charger: Bachmann’s HO-scale Amtrak Cascades SC-44

April 2, 2021

The Pacific Northwest’s Own Charger: Bachmann’s HO-scale Amtrak Cascades SC-44

Bachmann’s effort on this licensed Siemens reproduction of the company’s Charger SC-44 looks good, runs great, and features exciting lighting and audio features.

Athearn Roundhouse ACF CenterFlow

March 23, 2021

Athearn Roundhouse ACF CenterFlow

A recent run of 5250 CenterFlow hoppers from Athearn Roundhouse is available and more are coming.

Gondolas in N scale from Trainworx

March 21, 2021

Gondolas in N scale from Trainworx

The 52-foot, 6-inch gondola from Trainworx presents a well-detailed, fully assembled N-scale model in two body styles and several road names.

New Conrail book documents rich heritage in the valley

March 16, 2021

New Conrail book documents rich heritage in the valley

The area surrounding Allentown and Bethlehem was quickly transformed as seven colorful legacy lines came under Conrail control in 1976. Over the next 24 years, this industrial region of eastern Pennsylvania would go through its own transformation, affecting traffic patterns for years to come.

Rapido’s Flexi-Flo hopper

February 19, 2021

Rapido’s Flexi-Flo hopper

The HO-scale Flexi-Flo hopper is only one several all-new freight car models from Rapido Trains with more selections in development and on the way.

You Can Do It: Paint & Detail Railroad Models with Scott Lupia

February 15, 2021

You Can Do It: Paint & Detail Railroad Models with Scott Lupia

Scott Lupia shares his insights into bringing models to the next level in this White River Productions how-to book.

Hornby’s “Yellow Submarine” Eurostar… You Supply the Blue Meanies

February 4, 2021

Hornby’s “Yellow Submarine” Eurostar… You Supply the Blue Meanies

Reproducing a unique first-of-its-kind prototype, Hornby offers its OO-scale Eurostar set in a special Beatles “Yellow Submarine” livery.

Western Pacific’s GP40-2s from Athearn Genesis in HO

February 3, 2021

Western Pacific’s GP40-2s from Athearn Genesis in HO

Athearn’s early 2021 delivery of Genesis-series HO-scale GP40-2 diesel locomotives includes Western Pacific.

Ex-Rock Island Waycars for Union Pacific in N scale from Bluford Shops

February 3, 2021

Ex-Rock Island Waycars for Union Pacific in N scale from Bluford Shops

A very popular and common caboose prototype serving North American railroads from the 1950s onward is International Car’s bay window style.