All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm
COWCATCHER MAGAZINE
Cowcatcher Complete Sets
From the 2023 set, the May/June issue features Mike Armstrong’s Rock Island HO model railroad. The issue also takes an inside look at how Ross Custom Switches has become a premier O-gauge track builder.BUY THIS ISSUE ONLY
Pay by credit card or PayPal and start shopping here! Orders will be shipped USPS Priority Mail within 5-7 business days. Price includes shipping in U.S. (International orders please email at cowcatcher@verizon.net for rate).
Prior to 2011, the magazine was known as Cowcatcher Round Up.
2004 Cowcatcher Round Up
SOLD OUT
2005 Cowcatcher Round Up $14.95
2006 Cowcatcher Round Up
SOLD OUT (some single issues available)
2007 Cowcatcher Round Up $14.95
2008 Cowcatcher Round Up $14.95
2009 Cowcatcher Round Up $14.95
2010 Cowcatcher Round Up $14.95
2011 Cowcatcher Magazine $24.95
2012 Cowcatcher Magazine $24.95
2013 Cowcatcher Magazine $24.95
SOLD OUT! Some individual issues of this set may be available HERE
2015 Cowcatcher Magazine $24.95
2016 Cowcatcher Magazine
SOLD OUT! Some individual issues of this set may be available HERE
2025 Cowcatcher Magazine $29.95
Current Issue: July/Aug 2026
$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)
Mardis Gras
A group of rail advocates led by John Robert Smith and Transportation for America would not take no for an answer while trying to return Amtrak passenger service along the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Transportation for America guided the Southern Rail Commission through 20 years of muck, mud and political jambalaya to re-energize a route from New Orleans, LA, to Mobile, AL. In just seven months after its August 2025 launch the train posted 100,000 boardings — shattering Amtrak’s original target of 42,000 annual riders. Ridership topped 18,000 the first month, and by the second had eclipsed Amtrak’s estimate.
Midwest Salute
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas and Missouri Pacific railroads traveled on similar paths from Missouri to the Southwest. One model railroad manufacturer has paid tribute to these railroads that eventually were merged into the Union Pacific system with HO-scale GP40 and C36-7 models.
Outdoor Storage
OmniTRAX recently opened an outdoor storage facility in Blue Island, IL, launching a new concept where companies can store anything from road equipment to tons of gravel without the need for a warehouse.
Plus
BNSF and Norfolk Southern introduce a wealth of patriotic diesel schemes leading up to America's 250th anniversary, the Railway Express Agency ensured that packages, parcels - even a hog - arrived quickly and on time, and the key to success for a Wisconsin model railroad club is opening its doors to the community, something it has done for the past 80 years. And more!
