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: Walthers Modern Yard Office

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

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…
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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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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!
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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.

Cowcatcher Magazine

Cowcatcher Online Reviews

Print Edition Reviews

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