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All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Product Review: Loaded with details, Scale Trains N-scale Tunnel Motors stand out like the prototype

October 31, 2024

Model Railroading, News

Scale Trains recently released N-scale SD40T-2s for the first time. Included are three roads, among them Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 5346. The release follows the company's HO run of SD40T-2s in 2019. - Scale Trains

The recently released Scale Trains N-scale Tunnel Motors represent a variation of the popular Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive that conquered the rocky terrain of the Western U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. EMD’s 3,000-horsepower, six-axle SD40-2 locomotives, built from 1972 to 1989, were best-sellers …

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Ex-Texas & Pacific business car returns to familiar ground, joins Texas railroad museum’s collection

A former Texas & Pacific business car is back on the rails in Texas after a 97-year journey that took it to California. The California State Railroad Museum recently gifted former T&P Business Car No. 2 to the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco. …

October 24, 2024

Product Review: Rapido HO Budd Slumbercoach

Never mind that the Rapido HO Budd Slumbercoach is a strong reminder of passenger rail travel in the 1950s. You easily could see yourself in it today. Look in one of the several mirrors inside the model released earlier this year – and see your …

August 29, 2024

Canadian government orders railroads to resume operations; union challenges and set to strike at CN

UPDATE: Aug. 28, 2024 The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered binding arbitration between Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National Railway and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Aug. 24, sending all parties back to work. TCRC removed picket lines at Canadian Pacific Kansas City and did …

August 24, 2024 / Updated August 28, 2024

Current Issue: Nov/Dec 2024

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Big Boy Bliss

In a deviation from normal cover content, the Cowcatcher features the latest in 4000 series Big Boys, Minitrix's N-scale No. 4013. Why? It's one smooth-running model and the mood was just right. No. 4013 pulled 26 cars and a caboose effortlessly on Olaf Melhouse's Dakota Northern at the same time Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 was rolling through North Texas on its latest tour across the Midwest. Both the model and prototype are equally impressive. Check out the full review in the November/December 2024 issue.

Celebrating 20 Years

Rapido Trains attributes its success over the last 20 years to relying on the knowledge of its model railroader-centric employee base. Plus, founder Jason Shron's persistence paid off after taking a big chance. He left behind his pursuits to teach art history and fulfilled a lifelong desire to make model trains.

Featured Product

Home Shops' USRA boxcars are another example of the company's high-quality freelance rolling stock.

Plus

The new Bartlett soybean processing plant arrives at a time when multiple industries are finding value in the versatile legume. Model train backdrops don't always need to be an elaborate work of art to create the right effect. Passengers riding the Empire State Express on the New York Central from Detroit to New York City reveled in the luxurious accommodations. And more!

Miss an Issue?

If you've missed the first three issues of 2024, don't worry! You can order back issues with just a few clicks. We have limited copies of the March/April and January/February issues, so hurry!

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Train Order Form

Cowcatcher Magazine has long published train shows and events in the print edition free of charge to clubs, museums and non-profit organizations. We now have a form for submission of upcoming model railroad/rail enthusiast shows, conventions and other events. Just click on the Train Order Form in the photo above. Also, show/event information may be submitted in written form at cowcatcher@verizon.net. Include date, event name, event address (include venue, street address, city and state), hours and contact information. Please, no flyers or photos of show information. For an example of how to submit a show via email, just click on the form above.

2025 State of Model Railroading

The Cowcatcher's 2025 State of Model Railroading survey is just around the corner! Learn how you can make your vote count.

Article & Photo Submissions

We encourage readers to submit articles and photos. For details, visit our guide here.

Product News & Review

Rapido Trains HO NSC Bulkhead Flatcar

Cowcatcher Magazine runs product reviews in print and online. Check out some of our selected Product Reviews as well as Product News.

Railroad in Focus

Cowcatcher Magazine periodically features short lines and regional railroads that roam the U.S. rail network. Features include color photographs and maps, as well as an overview of operations and latest business trends. See here the railroads we've focused.