Factory Direct Hobbies

11/03/2026

While tank production was greatly slowed after the end of WWII, concerns of a conflict with the Soviet Union kept the American military on their toes. The Soviet IS series of heavy tanks were heavily armed with a 122mm gun and protected by 110mm armor, no western tank could match that. After the American M47 proved problematic, the T48 project began, turning into the M48. It was equipped with a 90mm main gun, a four person crew, and other mechanical improvements. The M48 was named "Patton" after General George S. Patton, Jr. From 1952-61, 12,000 models were built. The A2 variant featured an improved power pack, upgraded transmission, a redesigned rear plate and improved turret control. The M48 saw extensive use in the Vietnam War, with over 600 deployed.

Tamiya's 1:35 scale kit of the US M48A3 Patton Tank features:
★The tough appearance of the tank, including its cast metal surface texture and canvas section of the gun mantlet is accurately reproduced.
★Details such as the searchlight and machine gun cupola are also brimming with realism.
★The kit includes accessory parts such as an engine exhaust snorkel, jerry cans, and spare track links as well as 2 tank crew figures.

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/tamiya-1-35-u-s-m48a3-patton-tank

11/02/2026

Stock cars were once staples of the American freight train scene. Moving livestock by rail dates back to the 1830s with open topped cars with partially enclosed sides. By 1860, boxcars with wood or iron-barred doors for ventilation became the standard for decades to come. Midwestern cattle were herded onto dedicated livestock trains or placed within a conventional freight train as a high priority block and moved to eastern markets for processing. Along the way, animals would be fed or given water, but conditions were still less than ideal with a noisy, cramped, and rough ride, leading to unfortunate and unnecessary injuries and loss of life. Little attention was given to the improvement of stock cars. The addition of a drovers caboose to livestock trains looked to improve conditions, with dedicated crews providing food and water to the animals. Experimental bi-level stock cars were developed in the 1960s, but stock cars largely faded away by the 1970s-80s with the introduction of modern re**er cars. Union Pacific briefly experimented moving pigs by rail at the front of intermodal trains in the late 80's, but this was discontinued in 1995.

The Broadway Limited Imports HO Scale 40' Wood Stock Car features:
- New tooling
- Based on the C&O 40’ stock car design
- Sound-equipped versions sold individually
- Integrated motion-activated sound system (sound-equipped versions)
- Authentic livestock sounds for prototypical sound-equipped versions
- Holiday-themed sound cars feature custom seasonal audio
- Motion-responsive sound intensity for added realism
- Adjustable sensitivity and volume using included magnetic tool
- Operates on both DC and DCC layouts (no DCC sound control)
-and more!

📦PRE-ORDER BY JANUARY 14th, 2027:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-ho-scale-stock-car-2026-run

11/01/2026

The Island of Sodor is home to Sir Topham Hatt's Northwestern Railway, rostering many famous and really useful engines! We have a wide variety of in-stock Thomas & Friends locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and complete ready to run train sets in HO, N, and HOn30 Scale (HOn30 Scale models run on N Scale track). If you're looking to add more characters to your miniature Island of Sodor or get someone started in model railroading, these are fantastic models and Christmas gifts! The holiday season is nearly upon us and Thomas & Friends are ready to ship to your model railroad today!

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/thomas-and-friends?stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock

10/31/2026

🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN!👻
Be careful if you're running any trains on your layout tonight... for you may encounter the ghost of a locomotive you thought was dead and would never run again...

10/30/2026

Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" was built in response to the ever-increasing length and weight of trains moving across the mountainous regions of the western United States. Rigid frame locomotives could only get so long until it became difficult to traverse curves, thus limiting their operating range, i.e., UP's 9000 Class. Veteran mechanical designer Arthur H. Fetter drew up the CSA Class, better known as Challenger, to "challenge" the gradients of the Wasatch Mountains. These 4-6-6-4 simple articulateds spanned 122 feet long, weighed 889,550 lbs. (engine and tender), and produced 97,305 lbf. With 69 in. drivers, the Challengers were able to expedite freight trains between Green River, Wyoming and Ogden, Utah beginning in 1936. Despite their seemingly powerful appearance, they struggled climbing the 0.82-1.14% gradients, and doubleheading was required, or helpers had to be called in. After the introduction of the Big Boy in 1941, the Challengers were redesigned by Otto Jabelmann and found greater success!

The Broadway Limited Imports HO Scale Early Challenger (CSA-2) features:
-DC or DCC and Paragon4 Sound
-Brass Locomotive and Tender Body
-Heavyweight Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Pulling Power
-19,000 Gallon Cylindrical Oil Tender
-As-Delivered Front Engine
-Distinctive Union Pacific Graphite Firebox and Smokebox
-Aluminum Lettering
-Many Separately Applied Details Including Handrails, Grab Irons, Ladders, Piping, Whistle, and Brass Bell
-Equipped with Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
-Engineer and Fireman Figures Installed
-Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
-Recommended Minimum Radius: 18"
-Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the Union Pacific CSA-2 Challenger

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/search?q=broadway+limited+imports+csa-2+challenger&roadname=Roadname_Union+Pacific&stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock

10/30/2026

Who's that steam locomotive?

🚂It's the Pennsylvania Railroad's S1! This 140 ft. 2.5 in. long behemoth was a unique 6-4-4-6 duplex steam locomotive. This design split the driving power between 2 sets of drive wheels on a single rigid frame. It was intended to increase speed, power, and efficiency, while also lessening the hammer blow force, or wear and tear on rails thanks to lighter sets of valve gear.

🛤If you're looking to add the S1 to your model railroad, we're one of the few retailers that still have Broadway Limited Imports' HO Scale PRR S1 in-stock! These stunning brass hybrid models feature:
-DCC Ready or DCC and Paragon4 Sound and Smoke
-Hand-crafted brass boilers, cabs, and tender bodies
-Die-cast locomotive and tender chassis
-Two spare flanged drivers in the box to swap out for a more prototypical appearance
-Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
-Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
-Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
-and more!

🌟These models have been selling out FAST, so don't miss your chance to add a one-of-a-kind art deco locomotive to your roster! If you're part of our Model Railroad Reward Society, this model will earn you over 2,500 points, and those points can be used to get big discounts on future purchases!

📦ORDER TODAY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-ho-scale-prr-s1

10/29/2026

In the late 1950s, the Space Race was picking up speed and Ford was capitalizing on the hype through the names of their new cars. They introduced the "la Galaxie" in 1958 as a concept car which placed the headlights into pods inline with the grille and front profile. Production began in 1958 with the 1959 model year design featuring chrome and stainless-steel styling, deep-dished steering wheel and double-door locks. Optional inclusions were two-tone paint, seat belts, a padded dashboard, and child-proof rear door locks. 1969's model was built on a new platform with a 121 inch wheelbase, new headrests, and rear trim panels distinguished the different trim levels. It was available in 2 and 4 door variants and equipped with several varieties of straight six and V8 engines.

AMT's 1:25 scale kit of the 1969 Ford Galaxie Hardtop features:
- Fully paintable
- EXPANDED sheet of authentically detailed water-slide decals with two stripe color options
- Detailed exterior badges, and detailed wood dashboard gauges
- Build it stock, street, or drag version using optional features, including stock or drag engine builds, stock or custom wheels, two drag slicks, optional roll bar, hood scoop, hood hinges, and more
- Wrapped up nicely in vintage packaging!
- 1:25 scale, skill level 2, paint & glue required
- 138 parts
- Molded in white, clear with some chrome-plated parts
- Black vinyl tires
- Built size: 8.5 inches long
- Ages 14+

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/amt-amt1373-1969-ford-galaxie-hardtop-1-25-scale-model-kit

10/28/2026

In the late 1970s, UP was looking to replace their aging SW7, SW9 and TR5A switch engines, many of which dating to the late 1930s-50s. New switch locomotives were expensive so UP opted to rebuild their existing switchers at their Omaha Shops. In 1979, UP 1848 entered the shops and nearly every component was stripped. Trucks were overhauled and converted to roller bearings, sill handrails were added, and the frame was steam cleaned. The original EMD 567-power assemblies were swapped out for newer 645-assemblies. All-new cabling and wiring were added along with two new 36", electrically-driven cooling fans from retired GP9s, leading to a unique hood hump that makes these engines easy to spot. SW10's also received a new sand box on the nose and new MU cables. Finally the cab was updated to FRA-mandated "clean cab" standards with a new AAR control stand and refrigerator placed inside. A total of 75 units were rebuilt between 1979 and 1984. By the mid 90s, many of these units were sold off to other railroads. In 2017, UP donated SW10 96 (previously assigned to the steam program) to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, where it operates today.

Rapido's HO Scale EMD SW10 features:
- Rebuilt hood featuring hump for cooling equipment
- Detailed radiator fans with etched-metal grilles
- Cannon and company licensed fans
- Single chime horn with bracket on cab front
- Union Pacific 96 features a Leslie RS5T horn on cab roof
- All-weather windows, cab shades where appropriate
- Highly detailed cab interior
- Lit control stand
- See-through metal etched parts
- Many road specific details
- Heavy diecast frame
- Diecast gear boxes for added weight
- Semi scale metal couplers
- Full LED lighting, including operating beacons/flashing lights where appropriate
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
- Mo-Power capacitor system for uninterrupted operation in DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18"

📦PRE-ORDER HERE (deadline TBA):
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/rapido-ho-scale-emd-sw10

10/28/2026

‼LAST CHANCE! PRE-ORDER BY TOMORROW, 10/29/26‼
No modern steam excursion is complete without an aux tender!
📦PRE-ORDER HERE: https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-ho-scale-dlmx-auxiliary-water-tender-1

After the 1960s, water columns and towers began disappearing from the American railroading landscape. Once steam excursions began kicking off within the same decade, auxiliary water tenders were employed to supply extra water. These were typically steam locomotive tenders converted to solely carry water delivered by trucks via hosepipe. DLMX 4219 became quite the famous aux tender. It was built in 1942 for SP 4219, a Class AC-10 Cab Forward. It was then placed on rotary snowplow duty as SPMW 7206B. SP donated this tender and it went to work with SP 4449 as part of the 1984 Worlds Fair. DLMX 4219 has since traveled with ATSF 3751, CP 2816, SP 2472, and SP&S 700. It currently travels with 4449.

Broadway Limited Imports HO Scale DLMX Auxiliary Water Tender features:
- Beautifully Detailed and Accurately Modeled for Multiple Excursion Appearances
- Precision Paint, Color, and Lettering Schemes
- Many Separately Applied Details Including Handrails, Grab Irons, and Various Underbody Detail
- Proper Underbody Detail per the Prototype
- Finger Touch Control the Headlight
- Two Operating Kadee-Compatible Couplers
- Compatible Tracks: Code 70, 83, 100 Rail
- Minimum Operating Radius: 18 in.

📦PRE-ORDER BY OCTOBER 29th, 2026:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-ho-scale-dlmx-auxiliary-water-tender-1

10/27/2026

The Toronado was conceptualized in a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. He designed it as a compact sports/personal car but didn't intend for it to enter production. However, a few weeks later he was informed his design was chosen as the new personal car intended for the Riviera/Thunderbird class for the 1966 model year. The Toronado entered production in 1965 and was equipped with a 425 cu. in. or 450 cu. in. Rocket V8 engine producing 385 hp and a 3-speed TH-425 automatic transmission. The Toronado featured a unique Unitized Power Package where the Rocket V8 and transmission were packaged into an engine bay that was no larger than a bay seen in a conventional rear-wheel drive car. It reached 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and capable of reaching 135 mph.

MPC's 1:25 scale kit of the 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado features:
- 1:25 scale, skill level 2, paint & glue required
- 100+ parts
- Molded-in white, clear, transparent red, with chrome-plated parts
- Black vinyl tires
- Assembled scale: 8.75 inches long
- Ages 10+

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/mpc-942-californian-1968-olds-toronado-custom-skill-2