Affiliate Disclosure

Last updated: November 1, 2026

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255), this page discloses Model Railroad Reference's material connection to the products and retailers it may link to.

This site participates in affiliate programs

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and make a qualifying purchase, Model Railroad Reference may earn a commission from the retailer — at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is the same whether or not you use our link.

As an Amazon Associate, Model Railroad Reference earns from qualifying purchases. This is through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We may also participate in similar affiliate programs with other retailers (for example eBay's Partner Network, or individual hobby manufacturers and retailers) as this site adds buyer's guides; this page will be kept current as those relationships are added.

How it works

An affiliate link typically carries a tracking code or sets a short-lived cookie. If you click through and buy something within the retailer's tracking window, their system attributes the sale to this site and pays a small commission. We never see your payment details, shipping address, or other personal information as part of this — that transaction happens entirely between you and the retailer, under their own privacy and purchase terms.

Not every link is an affiliate link

Links to standards organizations, manufacturer documentation, and other reference sources cited on calculator pages are not affiliate links — they're there so you can verify a formula or figure at its source. Only links to retailers and product pages are ever affiliate links.

Editorial independence

Affiliate relationships do not change what a calculator computes, which formulas or sources it cites, or what this site recommends. Calculator results are not for sale, and no retailer or manufacturer has paid for placement, a favorable mention, or influence over a page's content. Where buyer's guides exist, they're written to reflect genuine comparisons, not whichever option pays the highest commission.

Questions about this disclosure or a specific link can be sent to [email protected].