Product Reviews

Cowcatcher Online Reviews

Product Review: MAC Rail EOT Devices

Product Review: Rapido Lightweight Dining Car

Product Review: Grain Belt Models Bins and Culverts

Product Review : Rapido HO Flexi-Flo Hoppers

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

Selected 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

Grain Belt HO-Scale Grain Bins and Culverts – May/June 2020

RailSmith N-Scale Frisco Pullman coach “Clayton” – May/June 2021

Rapido Trains HO-Scale Southern Pacific SW 1200 Locomotive – July/August 2021

ScaleTrains HO-Scale Bethlehem Steel Co. Rivet Counter Flatcar – September/October 2021

Postal Delays

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January/February 2022
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DIY Ingenuity

The MZJ&D Railroad is a traveling HO depiction of grain operations in the Midwest, somewhere near Quincy, IL. There’s not much prototypical about the 40-foot layout, except the grit and grime surrounding real-life railroads. For the past 29 years, Dave Scharnhorst has toted the MZJ&D to nearly 100 shows all over the country. It invariably gets long looks from admirers and plenty of comments about its realism.
2022 State of Model Railroading

In the Cowcatcher’s 2022 State of Model Railroading survey, the consensus is that model railroading continues to provide a great experience and is still a good value. Yet respondents from the 725 readers polled were the most vocal in the survey’s four-year run about increasing prices and supply chain issues. In addition to value, readers weigh in on product quality and detail, ease of use and reliability of products and more.
Riding the Fast Flying Virginian

The Fast Flying Virginian was one of the Chesapeake & Ohio’s most famous trains. Pat Hiatte continues his journey across the U.S. on famous name trains with a ride on the train from Washington D.C.’s Union Station to Louisville, KY.

– Gene Huddleston/C&OHS Collection, COHS-1094
PLUS…

The son of a notable modeler is carrying on the family legacy, and has purchased and relocatd a major G-scale retailer. …

Congestion at West Coast ports is easing, and end-of-year traffic on U.S. railroads paced ahead of 2020. …

Plans are moving forward to reclaim the Rock Island bridge over the Kansas River in Kansas City, MO, and turn it into an entertainment venue. …

– Gouldevans

The Model Railroad Industry Division of the Hobby Manufacturers Association recently honored three pioneers who made lasting contributions to model railroading. The MRID Hall of Fame resumed with the entry of John Chapper of hobbytown of Boston and Aubrey Olson of Caboose Industries. Former Model Railroader Editor Andy Sperandeo posthumously received the Bobbye Hall Award.

. …

THESE STORIES AND MORE, PLUS A FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS AND THE BUSINESS PULSE OF THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY!
Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad

UPDATED!

Visit the new N-scale Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, the official model railroad of the Cowcatcher Magazine, and track progress. All aboard!
Product News & Review

Rapido HO-Scale SP SW1200 Locomotive

The Cowcatcher reviews Rapido Trains’ dynamic HO-scale Southern Pacific “Bloody Nose” SW1200 switching locomotive in the July/August 2021 issue. The model, designed from original blueprints and field measurements, is full of prototype details and runs effortlessly with lots of pulling power.

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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.

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Article & Photo Submissions

We encourage readers to submit articles and photos. For details, visit our guide here .
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

Selected Print Edition Reviews

Postal Delays

January/February 2022

Order Today!

DIY Ingenuity

2022 State of Model Railroading

Riding the Fast Flying Virginian

PLUS…

Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad

Product News & Review

Don’t Miss an Issue

Back Issues

Article & Photo Submissions

Railroad in Focus

HMA Promotional Video