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.
April 17, 2018
Not Just Another F-unit: Athearn Genesis EMD FP7 in HO Scale
Athearn’s Genesis FP7 isn’t just another F-unit model. As my closer examination of the model reveals, it’s a high-quality HO scale model characterized by accurate road-specific details with high-end decoration and the usual quality Genesis drivetrain.
March 14, 2018
VIA Rail Canada RDC in HO Scale by Rapido Trains
You won’t find a better RDC model that offers such fine detail right out of the box. From its scale proportions, road-specific features, and smooth engineering and performance, this model clearly stands up to its claim of being the “absolute” example of a Budd RDC.
February 16, 2018
Westerfield Models Auto Boxcar Resin Kit in HO Scale
This Westerfield Auto Boxcar kit reproduces an early steel construction example. The provided history included with Westerfield’s kit notes New York Central (NYC) began operating all-steel boxcars with an American Car & Foundry example in 1912.
January 31, 2018
Atlas Master Line Penn Central GE U33B in HO Scale
This husky Penn Central U33B example from General Electric’s U-boat production shows off the stubby pug nose that became common in the 1960s. The model is available from Atlas in standard DC, as well as DCC-sound versions.
January 31, 2018
Penn Central General American 50′ Boxcar from Moloco in HO
Has Penn Central become that popular? Moloco Trains, a maker of high-quality HO-scale freight car models, apparently cannot keep up with the demand for at least one road name offered for its 50-foot boxcar release.
January 8, 2018
Die Cast SD70ACe by 3000TOYS in HO Scale
Diecast Masters offers something unique for the HO market. The company recently delivered an HO-scale SD70ACe Tier 4. Of special note, this 1/87 model includes no drive mechanism, making it a static display reproduction.
November 15, 2017
Woodland Scenics Just Plug Lighting System
Woodland Scenics now offers a variety street lights, wall lights, interior lighting, light hubs, power packs, and at least 16 different vehicles with lights already installed.
October 18, 2017
Lionel Polar Express in HO Scale
Lionel’s HO Polar Express Berkshire 2-8-4 steam locomotive model arrives assembled and comes with a LionChief remote control. The model will operate under standard DC, DCC, as well as with its provided remote. A six-pin cable and drawbar connect the locomotive and tender for operation.
September 18, 2017
Trix Returns with 4-6-6-4 Challenger in HO Scale
The new Trix HO scale 4-6-6-4 represents Union Pacific’s final group of Challengers built between 1942 and 1944. Smooth performance, an abundance of sound and lighting effects, and optional smoke generators are the hallmarks of this museum-quality model.
September 5, 2017
A Classic with TCS WOW Sound
Train Control Systems product line includes a series of kits for different model locomotives from various manufacturers. TCS designs each motherboard specifically to be a direct replacement for the original board.
