About the Cowcatcher Magazine

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

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

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

Unlike other publications, Cowcatcher Magazine focuses on the people of the hobby and rail enthusiast community. Coverage includes news from model railroad clubs, historical societies and museums, including local and national National Model Railroad Association and Toy Train Collector’s Association activities.

Each issue is packed full of regional happenings, including a calendar of events for upcoming shows, meets and activities. Also featured is news about real railroads — national and regional. Readers can find informative capsules on the latest news from the region’s transit, tourist and freight railroads.

Cowcatcher Magazine also includes national coverage of model railroading, complete with lively quotes from top industry officials.

Cowcatcher Magazine is mailed Third Class USPS to subscribers, plus distributed at select hobby shops, shows, museums and railroading points of interests in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

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

ABOUT THE GOLD RAIL AWARDS

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 include: 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.

January/February 2020
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Rolling Thunder

As the U.S. energy market focuses more on natural gas and regulations related to environmental issues remain stiff on coal, fewer rail cars filled with lump, black coal are running on the nation’s rail network. In Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, the number of unit coal trains being loaded gets a little lower each year, yet the Black Thunder and Peabody operations see a steady stream of unit trains file in for loading. At those locations near Gillette and Wright, WY, loading crews work through rain, sleet, snow, frigid temperatures and blistering heat around the clock.
Overcoming the Challenge

The eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is the largest conifer in the eastern U.S. But the tree that grows throughout New England isn’t typically commercially produced for model railroads. Modeling these unique trees on the On30 Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway presented a challenge because the eastern white pine tends to be wide at the top and tapered toward the bottom. The branches are open to expose more of the trunk. But there is an easy way to replicate these big beauties, as author Pete Leach describes.

– Courtesy Pete Leach
PLUS…

The Colorado Model Railroad Museum plans to expand and realize its vision of a campus-like setting for education…

In our Cowcatcher Model Railroad Preferences survey, readers say that when it comes to building layouts old-school techniques still apply but detail and technology are a must-have…

New locomotives and announcements highlight the 48th rendition of Trainfest in Milwaukee…

The George Bush 4141 lcomotive has been retired and will go on display in College Station, TX…

THESE STORIES AND MORE, PLUS A FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS!

BONUS WEB COVERAGE: Adding a little clutter to right of ways adds realism without overdoing it on the Cowcatcher’s project layout, the Northwest Tarrant & Pacific Railroad…
Cowcatcher Tracks Newsletter

Sign up for our new monthly newsletter! If you subscribe to the print edition, you will receive Cowcatcher Tracks automatically. If you're not a print edition subscriber, sign up by clicking the logo above or clicking here!
Product Review

INTERMOUNTAIN N-SCALE HOPPERS

InterMountain Railway Co. recently released new versions in its line of ACF two-bay and three-bay N-scale hoppers. These models look good and are nice representations of the prototype.

See our other product reviews!
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Back Issues

Be sure to check out our Back Issues page for any issues you may have missed. We have expanded descriptions for issues published beginning in 2007. Click here to order.

The January/February 2019 issue features a conversation with Stacey Walthers, who succeeded father Phil Walthers as CEO at Wm. K. Walthers last year and is leading the company into model railroading’s future. Order today!
Article & Photo Submissions

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

Limited Publisher Copies Now Available!
Railroad in Focus

Cowcatcher Magazine routinely features short lines and regional railroads that roam the Midwest and Southwest. Features include color photographs and maps, but an overview of operations and latest business trends.

Cowcatcher Magazine

January/February 2020

Order Today!

Rolling Thunder

Overcoming the Challenge

PLUS…

Cowcatcher Tracks Newsletter

Product Review

Don’t Miss an Issue

Back Issues

Article & Photo Submissions

Tracks from Texas to Tokyo

Railroad in Focus