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All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

About the Cowcatcher

Cowcatcher Magazine, published by Ballpark Impressions, is the only publication covering model railroad, rail enthusiast and railroad-related news.

Started in 2004, the magazine brings to life the people, places and events of this community like no other publication.

Cowcatcher Magazine not only has news of interest about one of America’s favorite hobbies, it features compelling articles about people, places, events and history, all professionally written and edited by accomplished journalists and contributors.

Unlike other rail-related publications, Cowcatcher Magazine focuses on the people of the hobby and rail enthusiast community. Coverage includes news about the model railroad and railroad industries, as well as historical societies, museums, clubs, modelers and organizations at community and national levels.

Also featured are news and features about transit, tourist and freight railroads, complete with lively insights from top industry officials, as it relates to modelers and rail fans.

Each issue is packed full of happenings within our national distribution area. Issues include a calendar of events for upcoming shows, meets and activities.

Since 2019, Cowcatcher Magazine has taken the pulse of the model railroad industry with its State of Model Railroading survey presented in the January/February issue. The survey, which usually is released in November, allows our subscribers to give their thoughts and opinions on where the hobby has been and where it’s going. More on the State of Model Railroading here.

Cowcatcher Magazine is mailed Third Class USPS to subscribers, plus distributed at select hobby shops, shows, museums, train shows and railroading points of interests from coast to coast.

The Cowcatcher is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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SPECIAL FEATURES

Since 2019, Cowcatcher Magazine has taken the pulse of the model railroad industry with its State of Model Railroading survey presented in the January/February issue. The survey, which usually is released in November, allows our subscribers to give their thoughts and opinions on where the hobby has been and where it’s going. More about the State of Model Railroading here.

From 2009-16, the Cowcatcher’s Gold Rail Awards recognized the best of the best in model railroading and rail enthusiasm in the areas we cover. Winners in 13 categories ranging from model railroads to prototype railroads were selected by our readers. Categories included: Best Train Show; Best Club Layout, Permanent; Best Club Layout, Modular; Best Excursion Railroad; Best Excursion Railroad, Theme Train; Best Railroad Museum; Best Rail Special Event; Best Regional Freight Railroad; Best Railfanning Spot; Best New Model Railroad Product; Best Passenger Rail (Passenger Regional and Commuter/Light Rail); and Best Model Train Store. Nominees were selected by Cowcatcher staff and others, and winners announced in the January/February issue.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Tim Blackwell founded the Cowcatcher as Cowcatcher Round Up in 2004 as a newsletter to highlight local NMRA and model railroading activities in Texas and Louisiana. A longtime model railroader and former award-winning newspaper professional, Blackwell conceived the idea of a local rail enthusiast publication during long car rides with fellow modelers to operating sessions. He discovered that model railroaders didn’t pass the time talking only about the latest models and their layouts but took a more holistic approach to the hobby. Anything trains was game for discussion. 

Blackwell has more than 40 years experience in writing, editing, publishing and printing and as many or more years modeling N and HO scale. He began his career as a sports writer with the Arlington Citizen-Journal in Arlington, TX, and spent nearly 25 years with The Dallas Morning News in editorial and printing sales and leadership.

A long-time N-scale modeler, Blackwell has built four layouts, including two iterations of the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad. The second W&PRR has been chronicled in the Cowcatcher and on the web since its inception in 2018. He also has built the HO Northwest Tarrant & Pacific, a modern-day DCC shelf layout that serves as the backdrop for many product photos and reviews in the magazine.

Since 2018, Blackwell has served on the Hobby Manufacturers Association/Model Railroad Industry Division council. He is currently president and also serves on the HMA Board or Directors. 

Cowcatcher Publisher Tim Blackwell

MORE ABOUT US


Watch Ken Patterson’s interview with Cowcatcher Publisher Tim Blackwell in the May 2019 “What’s Neat in Model Railroading” video podcast!

Tim speaks at length about Cowcatcher Magazine, beginning 22 minutes into the show. Our thanks to Ken and Model Railroad Hobbyist for helping us to tell our story!


Ballpark Impressions, LLC, is proud to be a member of the Hobby Manufacturers Association

Current Issue: May/June 2025

$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)

Tuned In

Spring is when large-scale model railroaders with their green thumbs plant and prune colorful foliage grown nearly to scale. In some areas, maintaining outdoor layouts is quite challenging because of changing weather. Nancy Norris, an author who builds garden railroads professionally, says some plant varieties have become more difficult to grow in certain Hardiness Zones. In some cases it means garden railroaders having to put more emphasis on growing native plants rather than relying on varieties more susceptible to extreme conditions. She recommends new gardeners consult with their local nurseries for the best choices for an outdoor layout. Norris also has a few recommendations of her own.

Tariffs Cause Concern

Sweeping tariffs imposed on goods imported into the United States are stirring model railroad manufacturers. As a result, model railroading and other hobbies will cost more. In February the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, and the tax has since escalated. Suppliers – including Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co., Broadway Limited, Rapido Trains and ScaleTrains – have been putting dealers and customers on notice that prices will increase tariffs are implemented.

Managing Freight Cars

The first rule of railroading is “expect movement on any track at any time in any direction.”  This may seem like an overabundance of caution, but railroading is a dangerous sport. Always expect a train when you’re around the tracks. The second rule of railroading is that there is an exception to every rule. The North American freight car fleet in 2023 consisted of 2.03 million rail cars, according to Railinc’s Umler Equipment Index. Rail car fleet management — how empty cars get dispatched to move to their next loading point — is an ever-moving process and often requires fleet car managers to be nimble.

Plus

A vintage Lionel store display is always a crowd pleaser, Atlas' N-scale True-Track is the right solution for a new test track on the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, The Green Diamond was Illinois Central's gem on the St. Louis-to-Chicago route and more!