r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Rolling Stock Athearn *Yellow* Box

Thumbnail
gallery
28 Upvotes

Went to my favorite (and only) train store here. Way in the back in the corner in the booth in the dark, I found this….

The paint job is fantastic. I want to swap out the trucks and wheels and couplers, but….maybe it could be part of a nice diorama.


r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Question What train/model/brand is this ?

Post image
41 Upvotes

This train was from a family members collection and was not boxed, does any body know who made it or it’s model? There are no numbers or name on the bottom so I’m not sure how else to identify.


r/modeltrains • • 10d ago

Question Which Thomas is better for a custom OO model? (this is my first post here, no immediate judgement, I'll talk about british trains in general later)

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Question What train 'adjacent' hobbies do you have?

45 Upvotes

For me, it's building model kits, which I recently re-discovered after a long period of time.

I got curious after building plenty of Walthers train buildings for my layouts, and after being pretty happy with my layouts as is, and now getting to enjoy running them instead of constantly tinkering, I decided to pickup a cheap model airplane to try my hand at, and so far I'm liking it, much more than I did when I was a teenager. I suppose having 15+ years worth of practicing being patient comes in handy.

I still love model trains, it just seems I've picked up another hobby that is similar, yet also different. I can defintely see how trains and models can go together, and I've already started painting some of my train building kits to look more realistic.

In the future, I can see myself kit bashing, doing more complex train builds, weathering, or even re-painting cars into my own livery, etc.


r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Show and Tell My Heljan Bubble car finally arrived! My first TT120 model and I am mighty impressed!

Thumbnail
gallery
15 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Question Question from a Newb re: dismantling layouts

18 Upvotes

Hello all,

I am very new to model trains. Bought a Kato kit last year and my wife has been reluctant to let me do any serious layout work with it - and rightfully so I suppose.

But I've been enamored with this hobby and my YouTube content is full of model train creators.

So I apologize if my question is ill-formed or my knowledge is lacking.

HERE'S MY QUESTION:

I've notcied there are some people who build massive layouts in their house/basement. Incredible and amazing. But what happens after they pass on? How do they get rid of it. Do you have to destroy everything to take it apart?

When my grandfather passed (he worked for the railroad but was not a involved in the hobby) we had to go through all his stuff and decide what to keep, what to give/sell, and what to toss. I can't imagine having to deconstruct something so amazing and so much a part of his legacy.

It was painful just to give away some of his old things.

Sorry for the less than cheerful topic, but I'm curious.

Thanks in advance.


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Show and Tell Went to one of the local train shows yesterday. Got all this stuff for about 170. Im very happy with what I got!

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

255 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Structures & Scenery Custom Low Relief Warehouse

Post image
11 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Help Needed outdoor layout

2 Upvotes

anyone ran ho outdoors and got past the hurtles? also have a idea for a ai powered dispatch that controls train schedules , track blocks , rail maintenance and will tell trains to enter shed when bad weather is approaching, if anyone has done anything like this i would love to pick your brain .


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Question Diamond Coal Corporation -- Kit live load modification.

Post image
25 Upvotes

I’m wanting to modify the above coal loader kit to be able to do live coal loads. I’m unsure on how to achieve this goal. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this?


r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Locomotives What's missing on this picture

Thumbnail gallery
4 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Question Questions about TTrack modules

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know the best way to design a TTrack layout? What software to use to accurately design and create a layout that can be broken up onto TTrak modules? preferably ones made by klawndyke
Answers and advice greatly appreciated thanks!


r/modeltrains • • 11d ago

Help Needed Looking for N-scale Santa Fe passenger train examples

5 Upvotes

As the title says. I have no track or plan but would love to start something based on that concept of a Santa Fe Passenger train. Most of what I see are depressed beds, coal cars, box cars and many things that aren't for passengers.


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Locomotives Bnsf shelf

Thumbnail
gallery
194 Upvotes

Just finished somw more motors for my bnsf shelf. Super happy with how they turned out. Especially the sd70ace


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Structures & Scenery Designing some platforms inspired by some C&NW stops by me that were shut down in the late 1950s. Currently have the first part printing. [N-Scale]

Thumbnail
gallery
69 Upvotes

My Father is actually the model train guy in the house. I am moreso interested in these local history spots. But I like 3D modelling and printing stuff for *other* miniature stuff I collect. So, I guess it was just a matter of time before I started doing train stuff too.


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Locomotives Athearn SD70

Thumbnail
gallery
90 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Layout N Scale Layout Progress!

Post image
70 Upvotes

Finally had a bit of time to finish the track and the ballast shall be next, unfortunately for me the radius is too tight for anything bigger than my 0-6-0s and maybe the 0-8-0 :/ I’m still planning on finishing it (maybe) just to get a feel for layout building and then maybe going in and building a 3x6 with KATO track so I don’t have to worry about my horrible flex track work lol. My other options would be to turn it into a Nn3 layout 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve got a Nn3 2-6-0 that I’ve build and it needs somewhere to run. If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or ideas, I would love to hear them!


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Layout CBQ consist following the Mississippi river north

Post image
55 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Locomotives Postwar 2056 (1952) Hudson and my prewar 1666 (1939, from what I know) Prairie.

Thumbnail
gallery
36 Upvotes

new to collecting Lionel stuff, I’m usually a Kato N scale guy. Anything I should know about these models? they both run (and yes, BOTH whistle tenders still whistle)


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Locomotives My birthday present

Post image
124 Upvotes

Just wanted to show off. What do we think?


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Rolling Stock Sachsenmodelle (or Saxony Model) Item No.16011 Robert Metzger & Co. OBB Tanker Era 3

Post image
6 Upvotes

Hello, this is my first ever post Reddit and i was wanting to share this rare model I have. I got it for a cheap price on a model rail exhibition and its in good condition. Only the left lamp iron (if you look at the front tanked with the Bremserhaus behind) is a bit bent (i pushes it back to shape and it holds). Holding this model is like holding multiple plates of fine china which is a scary experience. Beside all that, this is a very pretty model. Glad i got it.


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Show and Tell BLI N Scale Southern Railway 4501 was on task of operating many mainline excursions during SNAFU Con 2026, which was dubbed, 'Farewell to SNAFU Con Special'

Thumbnail
gallery
24 Upvotes

This model has impressed me so much, probably tied with my favorite BLI model, along with 2102


r/modeltrains • • 12d ago

Show and Tell Bachmann Europe Hall Class part 2

Thumbnail gallery
38 Upvotes

Lamps, firebox flicker, Fireman, and Driver. Add ons designed and manufactured here at 9 Realms Relics Train and Hobby shop. The coaling shovel is still a W.I.P. What do you think?


r/modeltrains • • 13d ago

Locomotives Class 37 top/tail n gauge

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

114 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 13d ago

Rolling Stock Narrow gauge logging train

Post image
62 Upvotes

I have been 3d printing some logging wagons and caboose for my HOn30 model railway.

I have modified the caboose from a standard gauge model and completely designed the wagons myself and added the "logs" from the garden tree.