Product news
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 13, 2022.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division SD45-2 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one road number, pinstripe scheme in four numbers); Helm Atlantic (Primed for Grime CSX and Seaboard System patchouts in one number each); Norfolk Southern (Erie Lackawanna heritage scheme in one number, Thoroughbred scheme in two numbers); and Seaboard Coast Line (black-and-yellow scheme in three numbers). Prototype-specific details, Celcon handrails, and wire grab irons. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder, $319.99 (add $10 to Primed for Grime models). February 2023. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Norfolk Southern (Dash 9-40C, as-delivered scheme in three numbers), BNSF Ry. (as-delivered Heritage I scheme in three road numbers, Heritage I with yellow hood lettering in one number, and Heritage II), BC Rail (Dash 9-44CWL in red, white, and blue scheme), Canadian National (Dash 9-44CWL in North America scheme, three numbers), Chicago & North Western (as-delivered scheme, three numbers), and Union Pacific (Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray; three numbers with “Union Pacific” on long hood, one number with “Building America” slogan but no name on hood). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Road-number-specific details; illuminated number boxes, ground lights on front truck, front and rear walkway lights, and class lights (where applicable); and rotating roller bearing caps. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector for Digital Command Control decoder, $249.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami sound decoder, $339.98. Genesis 2.0 series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale freight cars
50-foot covered gondola. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (red); Nickel Plate Road (black); Rock Island (brown); Soo Line (brown); and Southern Ry. (silver). Three road numbers per scheme. Removable cover, 70-ton roller-bearing trucks, and 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contour. $33.99. February 2023. Roundhouse line. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
FMC 4,700-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper. Arthur (N.D.) Farmers Elevator Co. (yellow); Chicago & North Western (Primed for Grime Klemme [Iowa] Coop Grain patchout); FMC (gray); Procor (gray); and Val-U-Hi Supply, Freemont, Neb. (green). Five road numbers (two single cars and one three-pack) per scheme. See-through etched-metal crossover platforms, two outlet gate variations, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Single car, $49.99 (Primed for Grime, $54.99); three-pack, $124.99 (Primed for Grime, $137.99). February 2023. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Pacific Car & Foundry 5,195-cubic-foot-capacity class B-100-40 boxcar. Southern Pacific (as-delivered scheme and Golden West Service patchout), Golden West Service (Ventura County reporting marks), Amtrak (green and phase 4 schemes), Columbus & Greenville (Southern Pacific patchout), and Union Pacific (Southern Pacific reporting marks). Also available undecorated. Separate, factory-applied metal grab irons and uncoupling levers; Hydra-Cushion underframe; newly tooled trucks with in-line brake shoes and 36” metal wheels; separate door rods and door tracks; and Kadee no. 158 whisker couplers. Single car, $49.95; Amtrak three-pack, $149.95; six-pack, $299.70. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
100-ton four-bay hopper. Burlington Northern (black, herald over three lines scheme), Chicago & North Western (green), Conrail (brown with “can opener” and “Quality” heralds), CSX (black), Denver & Rio Grande Western (black with “Flying Grande” lettering), and Norfolk Southern (black). Four road numbers per scheme. Die-cast metal underframe, 36” RP-25 contour turned-metal wheels, and Proto-Max metal couplers. $29.98. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale passenger equipment
Comet II commuter cars. Coach and cab car. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Metro North Commuter RR, NJ Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Agency (Montreal), and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Two three-car sets (two coaches and one cab car) and one unnumbered coach per paint scheme. Undecorated coach and cab car also available. Controllable interior and cab car lighting, full underbody and interior detail, inside-bearing trucks with metal wheelsets, tinted window glazing, constant interior lighting in direct current and Digital Command Control, and metal grab irons. Single car, $99.95; three-car set, $319.95. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
N scale freight cars
Greenbrier-Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack. Union Pacific (yellow with shield herald and “Building America” slogan), Canadian Pacific (yellow and white schemes), BNSF Ry. (orange and white schemes), Canadian National (yellow with red or white “wet noodle” herald), CSX (yellow with “boxcar” herald), Kansas City Southern (yellow and white schemes), and Norfolk Southern (yellow with Thoroughbred herald). Four body types (early, intermediate, late, and current), car rack numbers and rack clearance data specific to each car number, ASF low deck swing-motion trucks, and body-mounted couplers. $44.99. Rivet Counter line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
Z scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Northern Pacific (Loewy two-tone green). A-B set and single A unit. Prototype-specific details, 7mm motor with dual flywheels, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, optional front truck with mounted coupler, blackened metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Electro-Motive Division E8A diesel locomotive. Southern Pacific (scarlet and gray). Two road numbers. Prototype-specific details, 7mm motor with dual flywheels, metal steps, extra front truck with coupler, blackened metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
General American 1917 8,000-gallon tank car. New paint scheme: Phillips 66 (black). Seven road numbers (single car, two-pack, and four-pack). Injection-molded plastic with vertical brake staff, metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
