JANUARY 2026: This month, we visit Cameron Nealy’s HO scale layout, a showcase of modern BNSF mainline railroading over Montana’s Marias Pass, with a special focus on manned helper operations. Inspired by a railfanning trip to Kansas, Andrew Castle paints and weathers a pair of HO scale BNSF Dash-8s. Robert Schleicher demonstrates how he scratchbuilt a locomotive coaling trestle based on a Colorado prototype, while Joseph Kreiss shares his project to create “reacher” flatcars to support his harbor carfloat operation. All this and more in the January issue of Railroad Model Craftsman!

N Scale RDCs Arrive from Rapido

N Scale RDCs Arrive from Rapido

Now available in N scale from Rapido Trains are Budd Rail Diesel Cars for a multitude of railroads.


BNSF on Marias Pass

BNSF on Marias Pass

Modern main line action in HO scale along Montana’s Glacier National Park, with a focus on manned helper operations.


Scratchbuild a Coaling Trestle in HO

Scratchbuild a Coaling Trestle in HO

Scratchbuild a realistic alternative to tall coaling towers for engine facilities, based on a Colorado Midland prototype once located in Basalt.


Aurora Miniatures Greenbrier 7550cf Plate F Boxcar

Aurora Miniatures Greenbrier 7550cf Plate F Boxcar

These cars are the inspiration for Aurora Miniatures’ first run of the Greenbrier 7550 cu.ft car in N and HO.


Athearn Genesis 13K Acid Tank Cars

Athearn Genesis 13K Acid Tank Cars

Athearn’s Genesis 13k tank cars come bristling with an extremely high level of detail, especially for N scale.


Better Than Nothing

Better Than Nothing

Don’t have room for a home layout? Joining a modular group is a great way to stay active in the hobby and enjoy the fun of a large layout.


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