About the Cowcatcher Magazine

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

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 about the model railroad and railroad industries, as well as historical societies, museums, clubs, modelers and organizations at community and national levels.

Each issue is packed full of regional happenings within our primary distribution areas (Midwest and Southwest). Issues include a calendar of events for upcoming shows, meets and activities.

Also featured are informative capsules and features about the region’s and nation’s transit, tourist and freight railroads, complete with lively insights 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 from coast to coast, with primary focus in the country’s midsection.

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.

March/April 2020
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Door to Door

Intermodal shipping has been on a 30-year growth pattern for North American railroads and in the last 10 years has led nearly all rail commodity categories. Far from main lines, almost 80 vessel calls are made at U.S. ports by massive ships loaded with everything from toys to onions to toilet seats each day. Approximately 1,200 ocean-going liner vessels, mostly container ships, make more than 28,000 calls at ports in the United States annually, according to the World Shipping Council.
Making More Than Memories

For many years the tourist train industry thrived off the idea of riding a rocking train over hill and dale or through the majestic Rockies. The encounter was more about looking out the window of a vintage coach as scenery and trailing smoke passed by. Today, tourist railroads operate in just about every state in the continental U.S., as well as Alaska and Hawaii. They are in business to not just offer a train ride but to entertain. A two- or three-hour excursion is likely to include dining and bar service, maybe even a one-act play.
PLUS…

Coverage begins on building the N-scale Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, a free-lanced short line serving the Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern between Dallas and Kansas City during the merger era…

Complementing coverage on the intermodal and container industry, a Corpus Christi, TX, modular railroad group goes for that ‘wow’ look while modeling port-to-rail operations…

A Michigan short line railroad gets crafty and finds a way to bring malt barley closer to a local brewery…

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…
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.

Watco’s latest railroad charts a new direction on historic lines in Eastern Illinois and Western Indiana in the November/December 2018 issue. 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

March/April 2020

Order Today!

Door to Door

Making More Than Memories

PLUS…

Product Review

Don’t Miss an Issue

Back Issues

Article & Photo Submissions

Tracks from Texas to Tokyo

Railroad in Focus