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All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Product Reviews

Cowcatcher Magazine publishes product reviews periodically in our print and online editions. See our review of InterMountain’s GP10 Paducah in the September/October 2017 edition. – Cowcatcher Magazine

Cowcatcher Online Reviews

Product Review: Rapido Trains HO NSC Bulkhead Flatcar

Product Review: InterMountain HO ADM Corn Syrup Car

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: Athearn HO Norfolk Southern GE Dash 9-40C

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

ScaleTrains N-Scale Rivet Counter Gunderson Multi-Max Autorack – March/April 2022

Athearn HO-Scale SD70ACU – March/April 2022

Athearn N-Scale ATW Hutchinson Northern 50-foot Boxcar – September/October 2023

Current Issue: March/April 2024

$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)

NEW CHAPTER

On Jan. 1, 2024, BNSF Railway took over operations on the storied Montana Rail Link after a lease agreement between the railroads dating to the late 1980s was cut short. BNSF says operating as one railroad will bring benefits to customers and opportunities for freight growth in the region through enhanced capacity and stronger service. In some respects, the company views MRL's integration as a reunion.

NEW PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHT AMHERST

Model manufacturers debuted new products before record attendance at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show in January. Micro-Trains announced new offerings in HO scale, a first for the company that specializes in N and Z trains. 

DEAL RAIL IS ALIVE

Smaller components and Bluetooth technology are making battery operation for HO scale more plausible. See how the Texas-based CLRR has gone from DCC to deal rail.

PLUS

KR Models' long-awaited skeletal logging cars arrive and make a nice impression. Also, a strong fourth-quarter finish lifts spirits for Class I railroad executives, who believe the momentum will carry over into this year. And the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Royal Gorge traversed mountains, traveled along rivers and glided through tunnels from Salt Lake City to Denver.