Product Reviews

Cowcatcher Online Reviews

Product Review: Walthers Modern Yard Office

Product Review: PIKO SmartControl light

Product Review – Walthers Switch Machine

Product Review – InterMountain ET44AC GEVO

Product Review: InterMountain N-scale hoppers

Print Edition Reviews

Athearn HO-Scale ACF 2970 Texas & Pacific Center Flow Hopper – September/October 2007

Atlas GP30 – July/August 2008

Athearn HO-Scale GP38-2 – March/April 2013

ScaleTrains HO-Scale UP GTEL “Big Blow” Turbine – November/December 2016

ScaleTrains’ HO-Scale UP “Big Blow” *– Courtesy ScaleTrains*

Kato Sound Box DC Control System – May/June 2015

InterMountain N-Scale SD40-2 – May/June 2017

InterMountain HO-Scale GP10 Paducah – September/October 2017

Walthers HO-Scale Modern Yard Office – November/December 2019

May/June 2020
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Unique and Mystic

Loosely modeled after a Southern Pacific branch line that once ran from San Antonio to Kerrville, TX, the Mystic Branch is not the culmination of years of planning. It doesn’t fill a basement or two-car garage and doesn’t have miles of main line. Yet with its unique staging and operating system that overcome restricted space, the Mystic Branch can run with the big boys.
A Beautiful Ride

After years of work and planning, Big Boy No. 4014 captures a nation’s love and passion. The Cowcatcher caught up with Ed Dickens, Jr., who heads Union Pacific’s heritage program, for some of the backstory.

– Charles H. Biel
PLUS…

Coronavirus Coverage: Shops and museums bring modelers and rail fans together amid social distancing, despite closures and show and event cancellations…

Micro-Trains Line CEO Eric Smith shares thoughts on model railroading’s future, what defines consumer value and Tom Hanks’ acting, in Trackside Folks…

Times were good on the Chicago Great Western’s Mill Cities Limited during the golden years of passenger travel…

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 News & Review

GRAIN BELT MODELS BINS/CULVERTS

Grain Belt Models, a division of Iowa Scaled Engineering, has introduced a realistic-looking line of galvanized grain bins and culverts. The Cowcatcher reviewed some of the models and placed them on the Northwest Tarrant & Pacific.

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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

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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.

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Cowcatcher Magazine

Cowcatcher Online Reviews

Print Edition Reviews

May/June 2020

Order Today!

Unique and Mystic

A Beautiful Ride

PLUS…

Product News & Review

Don’t Miss an Issue

Try a free copy!

Back Issues

Article & Photo Submissions

Tracks from Texas to Tokyo

Railroad in Focus