Athearn Roundhouse HO Scale D&RGW EMD F-Unit Diesel Locomotive
Athearn Roundhouse announced in August a new run of HO scale EMD F7 Unit Diesel Locomotives including two painted and printed for realistic decoration D&RGW F7A single stripe in road numbers 5734 and 5741. The MSRP for the DCC-ready model will be $129.99 and is slated for a December 2025 delivery.
The ready-to-run model features of the classic Roundhouse F7A that has been retooled to represent a much improved Phase I F7A model. Featuring a revised frame with heavy die cast weight; all-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation; 5-pole motor with precision-machined flywheels and multi-link drive train for trouble free operation and provision for 21-pin DCC
decoders. Other model features include a highly-detailed, injection-molded body; flush-fitting cab, porthole, and rear window glass; dual headlight per prototype; separately-applied horns; McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Athearn HO Scale D&RGW ICC Caboose
In July 2024, Athearn announced a new ICC caboose model in HO scale, featuring two series representing the 1966 and 1976 orders in the D&RGW paint scheme, slated for a November 2025 delivery.
The 1966 series models the first ICC wide-vision cabooses ordered by the Rio Grande in road numbers 01500, 01503, and 01507, featuring the classic D&RGW single-stripe design during a period of caboose shortages. The 1976 series in road numbers 01517 through 01522 includes updates like the removal of roof walks, a backup headlight for reverse moves, and an experimental air filtration system.
These ready-to-run models include highly detailed, injection-molded bodies with accurate paint and printing. Key features are road number-specific details, LED lighting with brightness control, see-through platforms and steps, etched metal coupler platforms, flush window glazing, wire grab irons, and rotating roller bearing trucks. Equipped with DCC lighting decoders, all functions are NMRA compatible in DCC mode.
Sound-equipped models feature realistic effects like air horns, trainline air whistles, clickety-clack sounds with optional wheel flat spots, brake set/release sounds, "Big Hole" emergency brake sounds, handbrake tie-down/release, adjustable flange squeal, and seamless integration with Soundtraxx locomotive sound decoders. These models support advanced DCC functionality for an immersive experience. The MSRP is $119.99 w/o sound $159.99 with.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Athearn Roundhouse HO Scale D&RGW 40’ Gondola
Athearn Roundhouse announced in August 2024, a run of HO scale 40’ gondolas in D&RGW, slated for a May 2026 delivery.
The Roundhouse 40’ gondola model is representative of the prototypical steel-bodied cars that began appearing on the rails in the early 1920s, with even a few survive today working for modern roads and contractors.
The fully-assembled and ready-to-run model features a highly-detailed, injection-molded body which is painted and printed to match the D&RGW prototype in three road numbers 47129, 47133 and 47138 with an MSRP of $34.99. The model also has separately applied brake wheel; body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers; 33” solid nickel silver wheels; machined wheels with RP25 contours; weighted for optimum performance.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Athearn HO Scale D&RGW EMD SD-50 Diesel Locomotive
In July 2024, Athearn announced it is taking pre-orders for a run of D&RGW HO scale SD-50 locomotives in three road numbers: 5501, 5510, and 5515, with a slated release in January 2026.
These fully assembled and ready-to-run models, available in both DC and DCC versions, feature all-new tooling from the rails up with specific D&RGW details. Key features include a Nathan K5 horn, a 4000-gallon fuel tank, a long hood-mounted bell, and a nose gyralight (effect in DCC). The models also have EMD HTC trucks with animated Timken bearings, Chessie “mail slot” battery box doors with added screens, an early frame with diagonal pilot cutouts and rounded anticlimbers, and a Genesis driveline with a 5-pole skew wound motor, precision-machined flywheels, and a multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation. All-wheel drive with precision gears ensures smooth and quiet performance.
The sound-equipped models feature an onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound, dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality, and support for operation in both DC and DCC modes. Additional sound features include precision slow speed control, the ability to program a multiple unit (MU) lash-up with the lead unit only horn, bell, and lights. The MSRP is $169.99
without sound and $369.99 with sound. For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Athearn HO Scale D&RGW EMD GP40-2 Diesel Locomotive
In July 2024, Athearn announced it is taking pre-orders for a run of D&RGW HO scale GP40-2 locomotives in three road numbers: 3100, 3116, and 3121, with a slated release in October 2025.
Reflecting the prototype after the 1988 merger of Rio Grande and SP, these models incorporate modernizations from that era. During the 1990s, locomotives were upgraded with ditch lights for added visibility at grade crossings, while retaining their nose-mounted gyralights, front ditch lights, and cab beacons.
The fully assembled, ready-to-run models are available in both DC and DCC versions. Key features include coupler cut levers, “nub” style walkway tread, lift rings, windshield wipers, lit number boards, lit class lights (if equipped), lit signal lights and/or beacons (if equipped), prototype bell placement, detailed fuel tanks with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes, see-through cab windows with full interior, fine-scale Celcon handrails, etched metal fan grilles, body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle couplers, trainline and MU hoses, MU stands, wire grab irons, sanding lines, and DCC-ready quick plug-and-play technology with a 21-pin NEM connector. The model also boasts a heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power, Genesis driveline with a 5-pole skew wound motor, precision-machined flywheels, multi-link drivetrain, and LED lighting for realistic appearance. MSRP is $169.99 without sound and $369.99 with sound.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Athearn Roundhouse HO Scale D&RGW 50’ High Cube, Plug Door Box Car
Athearn Roundhouse announced in December 2024 a run of HO scale 50’ High Cube, Plug Door box cars in D&RGW, slated for a October 2025 delivery.
The fully-assembled and ready-to-run model features a highly-detailed, injection-molded body which is painted and printed to match the D&RGW prototype in three road numbers 91886, 91890 and 91895. The MSRP is $34.99. The model also has separately applied brake wheel; body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers; machined wheels with RP25 contours; weighted for optimum performance. MSRP for the model is $34.99.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://athearn.com.
Browser HO Scale D&RGW ALCO RS-3 Locomotive
Bowser announced in July 2024 Bowser has released its HO scale Alco RS-3 locomotive to its dealer network. A limited number of the Executive series models are available directly from Bowser with a slated in the fall of 2025.
The fully assembled, ready-to-run models are available in both DC and DCC versions with locomotive specific details: air hoses, windshield wipers, grab irons, coupler lift bars, operating headlight, window glass, fuel tank, can motor, flywheels, blackened wheels with RP25 flanges and knuckle couplers; analog (DC) version features 21 pin plug for DCC. DCC/Sound version features LokSound V5 decoder. MSRP for DC analog version $229.95 while the sound/DCC version $329.95
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit https://bowser-trains.com.
Walthers HO Scale D&RGW EMD GP9 Phase II with High Hood Diesel Locomotive
Walthers is taking pre-orders for a one time limited-quantity run of their GP9 phase II locos in D&RGW in standard DC or DCC with sound in road numbers 5902, 5904. Walthers plan the release for a spring 2025.
Outwardly similar to the earlier GP7, and sharing the same boxy, no frills body with its high short hood, minor production changes in the number and placement of louvers on locomotives built from 1955 to 1957 resulted in what modelers and railfans refer to as "phase two" GP9s. Like its prototypes, many still going strong today.
The ready-to-run model features a heavy die-cast metal chassis with the same drive as WalthersProto locos featuring (five-pole skew-wound motor; 14 to 1 gear ratio; helical-cut gears; all-wheel drive and electrical pickup and machined brass flywheel); the highly-detailed, injection-molded body has the correct scale width hood with correct contours; dynamic brakes; front and rear footboards; see-through steps; constant and directional warm white LED headlights; DCC-ready with 21-pin DCC plug. Additionally Walthers will offer a GP9 Phase II Diesel Detail Kit (#910-258 sold separately). MSRP $159.98 for DC/DCC-ready model, $214.98 for model with ESU sound and DCC.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit http://www.walthers.com
Walthers HO Scale D&RGW 50' Pullman-Standard PS2-CD 4427 3-Bay Covered Hopper
Walthers is taking pre-orders for a one time limited-quantity run of their Pullman-Standard 54' PS2CD 4427 Low-Side Covered Hoppers in D&RGW road numbers 15006, 15028, 15051 slated for a winter of 2025.
The fully-assembled and ready-to-run model features a 4-3-4 exterior rib pattern, correct 36" turned-metal wheelsets, Proto Max metal knuckle couplers. MSRP $34.98.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit http://www.walthers.com.
Walthers HO Scale D&RGW 30' GTW-Style Caboose
Walthers announced in December that they are taking pre-orders for a one time limited-quantity run of their 30' GTW-Style Caboose in D&RGW road numbers 01148, and 01153 slated for a spring of 2025.
The fully-assembled and ready-to-run model features authentic design based on cars first built in the 1920s with wood bodies and steel underframes, later updated with AB brake equipment separately applied running board, grab irons, brake wheel, smoke jack, and other detail parts, complete interior detail correct leaf-spring arch-bar trucks ultra-smooth rolling metal axles and 33" wheelsets, a minimum radius of 24" is recommended for operation. Proto MAX metal knuckle coupler. MSRP $34.98.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit http://www.walthers.com.
Walthers HO Scale D&RGW 50' ACF 5250 Centerflow Covered Hopper
Walthers announced in December that they are taking pre-orders for a one time ready-to-run model of their 50' ACF 5250 Centerflow Covered Hopper in D&RGW road numbers 15550, 15581 and 15590 slated for a spring of 2025.
The fully-assembled and ready-to-run model features all-new tooling from the rails to the roof, prototypes hauled plastic pellets, grain and feed from the 1960s into the 2000s. D&RGW model feature trough hatches and gravity gates, thin-profile roofwalk, stirrups, end ladders and platforms, correct 36" turned-metal wheelsets, Proto MAX metal knuckle couplers. The MSRP is $34.98.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit http://www.walthers.com.
Rapido Trains is preparing production tooling for what promises to be a highly detailed HO scale model of a Denver & Rio Grande Western 01400 series steel-riveted caboose in HO Scale.
Rapido with the assistance from the folks at the Colorado Railroad Museum and the society has meticulously produced the first plastic model version of the iconic Denver & Rio Grande Western 01400 series steel riveted caboose
This caboose was a standard on D&RGW trains for over 45 years, plying the rails of the Moffat Line. We're even more excited Rapido is offering this caboose full of prototype details and lighting features!
In 1940, D&RGW embarked on updating their caboose fleet with steel cabooses. The 01400 series cabooses were homebuilt at their Burnham shops in Denver, Colorado. Being built by the railroad made these cars unique. The ladders, cupola and corner posts are all distinctive spotting features of these cabooses.
From 1940 to 1951, 70 steel riveted cabooses were built in batches of 10. The series would later continue production until 1959 with a welded car body. Over the years these cabooses would see multiple changes and rebuilds, several cupola and car body window variations, with the later riveted versions sporting a backup light and EOT light mounted over the ends.
Rapido is now taking pre-orders online for this ready-to-run D&RGW steel riveted caboose model. The model will come in six version covering every era and modification made to the cabooses while they operate on the D&RGW. Each model variant (preliminary artwork and drawings. (Subject to changes or revisions before production.) will feature super-detailed underbody including all separate air and brake piping, etched metal road numbers, full interior lighting, all-wheel electrical pickup, Barber-Bettendorf trucks with friction and roller bearings where appropriate, see-through, etched metal steps and walkways; Full end detail, including uncoupling levers; separate grab irons installed at factory, metal knuckle couplers mounted at correct height. The MSRP is $129.95. Here is the list of road numbers and paint schemes planned:
- Caboose as-built in switch caboose scheme: 01400 and 01404.
- Caboose as-built black scheme: 01408 ,01416, 01427, 01430.
- Caboose with early modifications black scheme: 01401, 01406, 01424, 01429.
- Caboose with post-war modifications, black scheme: 01443, 01446, 01460, 01467.
- Caboose with post-war modifications, single stripe scheme: 01405, 01415, 01427, 01459.
- Caboose with post-war modifications, action road scheme: 01428, 01438, 01456, 01468.
- Caboose with late modifications, action road scheme 01420, 01431, 01445, 01465.
For more information see your local hobby dealer or visit: https://rapidotrains.com.