Cowcatcher Magazine

05/18/2026

More on the Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival in the May/June 2026 issue of Cowcatcher Magazine.

John Sacerdote introduces the Amherst Railway Society sponsored Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival coming up in June.

05/16/2026

Tariff refunds are on their way; railroad manufacturer announces plans to credit some customers. See the story. www.cowcatchermagazine.com

04/16/2026

We've done some updates on our Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad page. Check it out at https://cowcatchermagazine.com/the-whitehurst-pine-ridge-railroad-2/

03/31/2026

We have limited copies of the March/April 2026 Cowcatcher featuring Keith Brewer's Wichita Falls Division Fort Worth & Denver Rwy. This point-to-point 14 x 20 HO layout pays homage to FW&D's freight business, highlighting the cattle industry and variety of companies along the route from Fort Worth, Decatur, Bowie, Henrietta and Wichita Falls in 1961. The issue also takes a look at the fine dining in the golden age of passenger rail. Nothing could be more filling than the Illinois Central's King's Dinner or the Champagne Dinner aboard the Super Chief. Visit https://cowcatchermagazine.com/ for more details.

01/09/2026

Cowcatcher publisher Tim Blackwell recaps the top stories in model railroading in 2025 on Ray Arnott's December Around the Layout Podcast. Watch it here:

It's time to take a look back at 2025 and review some of the headlines from the year that was with the Editor of Cowcatcher Magazine, Tim Blackwell.

12/29/2025

We goofed! Our November/December and January/February issues incorrectly listed the date for January's Train Collectors Association/Lone Star Division Gulf Coast Winter Toy Train & Swap Meet. The meet is Jan. 3 in Pearland, TX. For more information, visit

Welcome to the Train Collectors Association Gulf Coast Chapter Home to Houston's Best Toy & Model Train Shows

11/19/2025

Micro-Trains Line Co., Inc. announced today that it has been acquired by Atlas Model Railroad Co. The deal includes “substantially all assets” of Micro-Trains Line Co., the Talent, OR-based manufacturer renowned for its precision N- and Z-scale model trains and couplers.

The transaction marks a significant expansion of Atlas’ manufacturing and product development capabilities, the company said in a press release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

https://cowcatchermagazine.com/micro-trains-announces-atlas-model-railroad-co-has-acquired-its-assets-to-carry-on-companys-legacy/

11/19/2025

The all-new ScaleTrains HO SD7s are in.
https://www.scaletrains.com/ho-scale/ho-scale-locomotives/rivet-counter-ho-scale-emd-sd7.html

11/19/2025

The Cowcatcher's November/December 2025 issue is out! The HO Splitrock Mining Co. Railroad has a simple mission: Iron ore to the dock at Lake Superior until the boat is ready is ready to sail. This beautifully landscaped freelance layout captures the essence of mining railroading in Northern Minnesota Iron Range. www.cowcatchermagazine.com

07/24/2025

Union Pacific Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. confirmed today that the companies are engaged in advanced discussions regarding a potential business combination. There can be no assurances as to whether an agreement for a transaction will be reached or as to the terms of any such transaction.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern stated that they do not intend to make additional comments or provide an update on this matter unless and until they determine that disclosure is required or otherwise appropriate.

Photo by Stan Ujka/Cowcatcher Magazine