x

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.

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

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


Contact Us

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 about the latest models and running 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 Citizen-Journal in Arlington, Texas, and spent nearly 25 years with The Dallas Morning News in editorial and printing sales and leadership. He is vice president of the Hobby Manufacturers Association Model Railroad Industry Division council, and also serves on the HMA board or directors. 

 

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!

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.

Current Issue: September/October 2024

$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)

Center Stage

Telling tales, some of them tall, is nothing new on the Vida Division, Dean Smith’s HOn3 tribute to the former standard- and narrow-gauge ET&WNC. The railroad, situated in 1925 between Johnson City, TN, and Boone, NC, is an open book to model railroad mastery and imagination. Smith has parlayed his advanced modeling skills into a museum-quality, proto-lance rendition of a railroad in the same spirit that enabled the actual short line to become an integral part of mountain life in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. True to the prototype, Smith’s ET&WNC is more than just a model railroad.

Grain Union

Two of the largest agribusinesses are working on a merger. A union between Bunge and Viterra would rival larger grain competitors by creating a company with an estimated value of $34 billion, according to industry insiders.The merger is subject to regulatory approvals.

Product Review

The large tire load on Micro-Trains' new N-scale NOKL bulkhead flat car is a good fit in more ways than one.

Plus

Six Flags New England guests got a taste of model railroading over the summer, thanks to the Amherst Railway Society. After a month of operation, Amtrak's new daily run between St. Paul and Chicago met expectations, and Amtrak is on pace for all-time ridership. The Wabash Cannon Ball asks one question: What came first, the train or the song? Pat Hiatte reveals all in another chapter of the Golden Age of Travel. And more!