All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm
All issues priced at $6.95 each unless otherwise noted. Includes shipping in the U.S. Call for international shipping rates.
Chock-full – January/February 2024:
Cover Story: The Cowcatcher once again takes the pulse of model railroading in the 2024 State of Model Railroading survey, and readers say the hobby has it all and they’re willing to pay the freight.
Respondents once again rate the value of the hobby high and most are not dissuaded by prices despite higher inflation in recent months. A record number of responses were received from readers throughout the country.
The 6th annual survey yields a slightly watery take: Modelers convincingly approve of the state of the hobby, but buyer fatigue could be emerging. But a big change is that significantly more readers rate the value of model railroad products for quality received higher than the 2023 survey.
PLUS, Bachmann Trains is pushing the envelope on quality and turning heads. The N and HO Siemens SC44 Chargers are proof as the company is working hard to appeal to more sophisticated tastes. Also, The Rochester Institute of Technology Model Railroad Club is plotting a new course, and the college club aims to promote model railroading, preserve railroad history, make new friends and have fun. Also, after six months of operation, the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger (CPKC) is producing noticeable results. And, the California Zephyr was the most talked about train because of its beautiful views that included the Feather River Canyon.
January/February 2024 – $6.25 Publisher’s Special!
New Chapter – March/April 2024:
Cover Story: On Jan. 1, 2024, BNSF Railway took over operations on the storied Montana Rail Link after a lease agreement between the railroads dating to the late 1980s was cut short.
BNSF says operating as one railroad will bring benefits to customers and opportunities for freight growth in the region through enhanced capacity and stronger service. In some respects, the company views MRL’s integration as a reunion.
PLUS, Smaller components and Bluetooth technology are making battery operation for HO scale more plausible. See how the Texas-based CLRR has gone from DCC to dead rail. Also, KR Models’ long-awaited skeletal logging cars arrive and make a nice impression. And the Denver & Rio Grande Western’s Royal Gorge traversed mountains, traveled along rivers and glided through tunnels from Salt Lake City to Denver.
March/April 2024 – $6.95 Supply is limited!
Vibrant Future – May/June 2024:
Cover Story: A G-scale train weaving in and out of foliage, across rocky terrain and over bridges spanning water features in the backyard is a sight to behold. Yet it ranks behind its smaller counterparts. The NMRA lists the scale behind the more popular HO, N and O, respectively.
Some say G-scale, which was introduced in the 1960s, doesn’t have enough staying power, but many believe the future is bright. The scale is appealing to families in hopes of encouraging younger generations to get involved.
PLUS, the Connecticut Southern Railway is moving plenty of waste in and out of New England, setting the pace in a growing commodity segment – transporting America’s refuse to landfills by rail. Also, well-known railroad artist John Winfield is using the canvas to help raise money for restoration of a Santa Fe No. 93. And with its flexibility in design, Walthers’ N-scale Modern Lumber Transload is a good fit for the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad.
May/June 2024 – $6.95
In the Balance – July/August 2024:
Cover Story: Hopes of more unit coal trains rolling out of the Powder River Basin may be dashed after a Bureau of Land Management decision to again curb coal production on federal lands, issuing a blow to a key rail commodity that has significantly declined in the last 15 years.
The BLM announced in May that it will not allow new leases on federal lands in the Powder River Basin (PRB) for coal production until 2038 as the U.S. attempts to reduce its carbon footprint. More than 40 percent of the nation’s coal is produced in the PRB, which covers Northeast Wyoming and Southeast Montana.
The decision, which had been expected, was not well received by industry officials who see opportunities to boost U.S. exports. World coal consumption is at all-time highs.
PLUS, traveling by rail is as natural as the majestic peaks on Gordon Preller’s N-scale Alpenbahn. Reviewed is Athearn’s HO SD40 KCS locomotive that recalls a special time for the latest fallen flag. Rapido Trains is gauging the N-scale market with new Procor covered hoppers and Santa Fe RR56 mechanical reefers. Rail car builders report a strong start to 2024 as orders increase and fleet utilization grows. And Santa Fe’s Centennial State wasn’t a famous name train but got passengers from Chicago to San Francisco to San Diego to Texas.
July/August 2024 – $6.95