Model Railroader

The world’s most popular model railroading magazine publishes the information you need to build your own railroad. Get Model Railroader digital magazine subscription today for step-by-step how-to projects; great model train layouts; and realistic track plans. You'll also get reviews of the latest locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories in HO, N, O, and other scales, expert tips, and more!

On Trains.com

Celebrating 90 years of Model Railroader!

Model Railroader

Atlas celebrates 100th anniversary

Rapido holds annual U.S. dealer open house

News & Reviews

In Memoriam

Rapido Trains HO scale GE U25B

Atlas N scale EMD SD9 diesel locomotive

DCCconcepts Aegis upgrade for PowerCab

Micro-Trains N scale mill gondola

Ask MR

How to choose your scale

OLD SCHOOL FUN • This 8 x 13-foot HO scale layout was inspired by a John Armstrong track plan

Build an automated layout • This 6 x 12-foot N scale model railroad serves as a test bed for a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system

Modeling railroad MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS • Model the work of “those other railroaders” with inspections and work trains

Real situations, modeled solutions

Getting it done

Another ride on the Reading • New scenes, structures enhance this 13 x 22-foot HO scale layout

Finally on the layout

The Birdsboro bump-out

Welcome to FREEMONT MILLS • Part 1: A first look at our 2024 project layout, an HO scale Free-Mo module

CREATING A MODEL RAILROADER HALL OF FAME • Over the next year, we’ll look at the top contributors to our hobby

MODELING PALM TREES • A craft cutter makes it easier than ever to make fronds in any scale

Locating your railroad on a map • Aiming to give your layout a feel of realism? Here’s your first step

Using topographic maps

MODEL A CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS TRAIN • A 32-car HO scale rolling tribute to the Greatest Show on Earth

HO scale circus train by the numbers

MoPac in an attic • This HO scale track plan depicts the Joppa Subdivision in southern Illinois

WIRELESS CONTROL USING ESP • Advances in technology allow for this turnout control panel

Delivering train orders

Trackside Photos

By the YardⓇ

Coming Up

A level playing field