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 6, 2022.
HO scale freight cars
U.S. Navy helium tank car. Kit features resin castings, parts 3-D printed in PLA-type plastic, decals, assembly hardware, and photo-illustrated instructions. Trucks and couplers not included. $29.99 plus shipping. Concept Models, con-sys.com
Trinity 25,500-gallon tank car. Archer Daniels Midland (black with molecule logo), Cenex Harvest States (black with CHS logo), Dana Transportation (dark green), GATX Corp. (black), Interstate Asphalt (black with shield herald), North American Tank Car Line (black), PBF Holding Co. (black with white ends and DPRX reporting marks), and Trinity Industry Leasing (black). Three road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Separate, factory-applied manway, protective top filling housing with hatch, and pressure relief valve; 100-ton trucks with 36” turned-metal wheelsets; and Proto-Max metal couplers. $34.98. August 2022. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale passenger equipment
Budd 85-foot lightweight passenger cars. Dome coach; 10-6 sleeper; baggage-lounge; baggage-Railway Post Office; diner; large-window coach; observation car; and small-window coach. Paint schemes include Amtrak (phase 1), Denver & Rio Grande Western (Aspen Gold, silver, and black), Great Northern (Empire Builder scheme), and Northern Pacific (two-tone Loewy Green). All body styles also available painted silver but unlettered. Full interior, tinted window glazing, and Proto-Max metal couplers. Minimum curve radius 18”. Light-emitting-diode interior lighting kit (no. 910-220) available separately. $44.98 each (GN cars, $49.98). February 2022. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 514-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale structures
City Station. Laser-cut acrylic kit with engraved stonework. Beaux-arts style station with art glass and wrought iron canopy. Can be used as standalone model or in conjunction with City Station concourse, sold separately. Measures 7-3/4” x 19-1/8” x 9-5/8”. $350. Custom Model Railroads, 410-889-0010, custommodelrailroads.com
City Station low-relief kit. Laser-cut acrylic with engraved stonework. Beaux-arts style station with art glass and wrought iron canopy. Can be used as standalone model or in conjunction with City Station concourse, sold separately. Model depicts track side of the station. Measures 1-1/4” x 19-1/8” x 9-5/8”. $145. Custom Model Railroads, 410-889-0010, custommodelrailroads.com
City Station concourse. Add-on to City Station kit, sold separately. Can accommodate up to six tracks and four platforms. Includes concourse, three pairs of stairs, four platforms, and retaining wall. Concourse and station are designed to sit 3-7/8” above track level. Measures 19-1/8” x 20” x 6-5/8”. $260. Custom Model Railroads, 410-889-0010, custommodelrailroads.com
Z scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division E7A and E7B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Southern Pacific (Daylight scheme). Two A-B sets. Features 7mm motor with dual flywheels, metal steps, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, optional front truck with mounted coupler, blackened metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. Both A and B unit are powered. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
Pacific Fruit Express R-70-20 mechanical refrigerator car. Tropicana (orange scheme with Tropicana lettering and logo). Seven road numbers (single car, two-pack, and four-pack). Blackened metal wheels and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Electronics/controls
Edge connector for Tortoise by Circuitron switch machine. Designed to simplify converting existing Tortoise switch machines for use with Walthers Controls products. Edge connector features plug-and-play wiring for Tortoise switch machines (sold separately). Includes 6” motor connection cable with plug for direct connection to stall motor controller (no. 942-161, sold separately). Model no. 942-144 designed for use Tortoises made after May/June 2020 with green printed-circuit (PC) board. Model no. 942-142 for older production Tortoises with tan PC board. Two-pack, $9.98. WalthersControls. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 514-527-0770, walthers.com
Scenery
Freight car loads. Stone rip rap (medium, 11-1/2” x 3-1/2”; large, 11-1/2” x 4”). Industrial junk (11-3/4” x 3-3/4”). Scrap metal (11” x 3”). For permanent or removable loads. Flexible vinyl sheets. Can be cut with scissors or utility knife. $17.98. April 2022. Chooch Enterprises line. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 514-527-0770, walthers.com
Distressed concrete roadway. Available with medium and large cracks. Flexible vinyl sheets. Can be cut with scissors or utility knife. Sheets measure 11-1/2” x 3-3/4”. $21.98. March 2023. Chooch Enterprises line. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 514-527-0770, walthers.com
