Hobbyshop Window for October 30th 2026
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 office free of charge for the week ending October 30th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest hobby news by reading Model Railroader 's frequent product updates .
Hobbyshop Window for October 30th 2026
HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP39-2 diesel locomotive.This Athearn Genesis model is decorated for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Blue Ridge Southern; BNSF Ry. (Heritage IV); Delaware & Hudson; Union Pacific; and Wisconsin & Southern (standard and 35th anniversary schemes) in one to three road numbers per scheme. Product features on the HO scale EMD GP39-2 include prototype-specific details, light-emitting-diode lighting, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. The road switcher has a minimum radius of 18". Athearn Trains provided the review sample shown, decorated as Santa Fe No. 3621, to Model Railroader free of charge. Direct-current models with a 21-pin NEM connector are priced at $229.99. Models with a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder and dual cube speakers retail for $329.99. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale Bethlehem Steel Co. F89-F flatcar.Trailer Train (yellow and brown schemes with XTTX reporting marks and yellow scheme with WTTX marks and "Twin-45" slogan) and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe are the road names on the Athearn Genesis model. The HO scale F89-F flatcar, given to Model Railroader free of charge by Athearn Trains, has a die-cast metal underframe, raised and lowered hitches, 70-ton roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. The flatcar ($54.99) has a minimum radius of 22" and a recommended radius of 24"+. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale FMC 4,700-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper.See-through, etched-metal running boards; two outlet gate variations; and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers are among the product features on this model from Athearn Trains. The HO scale FMC 4700 covered hopper, supplied to Model Railroader free of charge by Athearn Trains, is decorated for Chicago & North Western (Primed for Grime), BNSF Ry. (Oxide Red with post-2005 herald), Burlington Northern (with Fort Worth & Denver reporting marks), First Union Rail, Kyle RR (Primed for Grime), and Wilbur-Ellis Co. in five road numbers per scheme (two single cars and one three-pack). Single cars list for $44.99 (Primed for Grime, $49.99); three-packs sell for $114.99 (Primed for Grime, $129.99). Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale American Car & Foundry 3,560-cubic-foot capacity three-bay Center Flow covered hopper.The latest run of this Atlas Trainman model is offered in new paint schemes (International Minerals & Chemical Corp., Rail Logistics, Riverport RR, and Union Carbide) and road numbers (Chesapeake & Ohio, Norchem, and Norfolk Southern). The review sample shown, sent to Model Railroader free of charge by Atlas, has a factory-applied brake wheel, hatch covers, and brake appliances; metal wheels mounted on plastic axles; and body-mounted Accumate couplers. The HO scale ACF 3650 covered hopper has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $38.95. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
HO scale ranch house.This ready-to-install structure is now available from Menards. The HO scale ranch house ($59.99) has a scenicked base with mulch, bushes, and a swingset; hanging plants; a car; four figures; Jack the German shepherd; a simulated garage interior; window treatments; and an illuminated interior and exterior. The lighting requires a 4.5V power supply, sold separately. The HO ranch house scene measures 8-¼" x 4-¾" x 2-⅛". Menards provided the review sample shown to Model Railroader free of charge. Menards, menards.com/trains
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 .
