Hobbyshop Window for October 2nd 2026

Cody Grivno

Fri, October 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We're excited to bring it back as a recurring feature on Trains.com. Here's a recap of some of the items that manufacturers sent to our offices free of charge for the week ending October 2nd 2026. Keep up to date on the latest hobby news by reading Model Railroader 's frequent product updates .

Hobbyshop Window for October 2nd 2026

Color photo of S scale flatcar painted Mineral Brown with white graphics and tan deck on white background. The trailer on the deck is painted silver with red graphics.

S scale General Steel Castings 53'-6" flatcar with 35-foot dry van trailer.ScaleTrains offers this model, part of its S-Helper Service line, decorated for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio; CP Rail; Great Northern; Milwaukee Road; and Trailer Train in three road numbers per scheme. Product features on the flatcar, provided to Model Railroader free of charge by ScaleTrains, include a die-cast metal body; a plastic deck with a factory-applied trailer hitch and rub rails; and wire grab irons. The injection-molded plastic trailer has plastic wheels mounted on metal axles, rubber tires, and freestanding mudflaps. The GSC 53'-6" flatcar with 35-foot dry van trailer is priced at $69.99. ScaleTrains, 844-987-2467, scaletrains.com

Color photo showing HO scale railroad water tank with wood tank and deck, black tower supports, and scenicked base on white background. In the foreground is a stack of railroad herald decals.

HO scale elevated water tank.Midwest home-improvement chain Menards has added this trackside structure to its 1:87.1 product range. The model, supplied to Model Railroader free of charge by Menards, is compatible with all brands of HO scale track and includes a red aircraft warning light on top, three spotlights, 24 railroad decals (two of each), a positionable spout with chain and counterweight, a worker figure, and Jack the German shepherd. The tower, priced at $49.99, measures 3-½" x 3-⅝" x 6-⅝". The lighting features require a 4.5V power source, sold separately. Menards, menards.com/trains

Color photo of HO scale storage tank painted white and green with yellow work platforms, a black pump house, and concrete base on white background.

HO scale Sinclair storage tank.Menards gave this factory-assembled and painted structure to Model Railroader free of charge. Among the product highlights on the HO scale model ($24.99) are a plastic tank with Sinclair graphics and factory-applied hazmat placards, yellow safety railings and see-through work platforms, a pump house, piping, two figures with safety vests, a simulated concrete base, and Jack the German shepherd. The scene measures 5" x 3-¼" x 2-⅝". Menards, menards.com/trains

Color photo of modern HO scale tank car painted black with head shields, yellow and white graphics, black trucks with blue roller-bearing caps, and gray-brown couplers on white background.

HO scale Trinity 31,000-gallon tank car with head shields.This ScaleTrains Rivet Counter-line model is decorated for Bridger Rail Shipping (crude oil placards in 12 road numbers, diesel fuel placards in eight numbers, and acetone placards in four numbers), Ferromex (diesel fuel placards, 24 numbers), High Sierra Energy (crude oil and ethanol placards, 12 numbers each), Siouxland (ethanol placards, 24 numbers), and Trinity Leasing (crude oil and diesel fuel placards, 12 numbers each). The HO scale sample shown above, supplied to Model Railroader free of charge by ScaleTrains, has photo-etched metal head shields, die-cast metal end frames, ASF Motion Control Super Service 110-ton trucks with raised foundry data and rotating blue bearing caps, and die-cast metal semi-scale SE Type double-shelf couplers painted a dingy gray/brown color. The tank car is priced at $49.99. ScaleTrains, 844-987-2467, scaletrains.com

Color photo of HO scale boxcar with plug door and exterior posts painted maroon and yellow with gray roof on white background.

HO scale FMC 5,327-cubic-foot capacity plug-door boxcar. Model Railroader received this Wisconsin Central boxcar free of charge from Athearn Trains. Additional road names on the HO scale FMC 5327 plug-door boxcar include Bay Line RR, East Camden & Highland, Green Bay & Western, Saratoga & North Creek Ry., and Riverport RR (Primed for Grime). Each paint scheme is offered in five road numbers (two single cars and one three-pack). Model features include photo-etched metal crossover platforms, wire grab irons, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Single cars are priced at $41.99 (add $5 to Primed for Grime models). Three-packs list for $104.99 (add $15 to Primed for Grime models). Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com

Hobbyshop Window is a frequent feature on Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to see the latest arrivals from the industry's leading companies. If you're a manufacturer and would like to have your items featured in Hobbyshop Window, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cody.grivno@firecrown.com .

About our ads