Product News
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, structures, electronics, train sets, 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 14, 2021.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Diesel SD70M-2 diesel locomotive. Canadian National (Grand Trunk Western heritage unit, with white cab roof and heritage decals, standard website address scheme, and mismatched compartment doors on left side, one road number each), Florida East Coast (RailAmerica scheme), Norfolk Southern (thoroughbred scheme), Providence & Worcester (orange and brown, two numbers), Vermont Ry. (red, two numbers). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Detailed cab interior, light-emitting-diode lighting, wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $249.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $339.98. December 2021. Genesis 2.0 series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division GP9 diesel locomotive. BNSF Ry. (Heritage I scheme), Grand Trunk Western (blue with orange ends and white sills), Kansas City Southern (white), National Rys. of Mexico (green and orange), New York Central (lightning stripe scheme), Soo Line (Candy Apple Red), Southern Pacific (“Kodachrome” scheme), and Union Pacific (Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray with “Serves All the West” slogan on cab sides). Three to four road numbers per scheme. Model based on Phase II prototype. With or without dynamic brakes as appropriate, front and rear footboards, see-through steps, die-cast metal chassis, and molded drill-starter points for grab irons (detail kit sold separately). Direct-current model with 21-pin DCC plug, $139.98; with dual-mode ESU sound decoder, $199.98. March 2021. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Electro-Motive Division E8A and E8B diesel locomotives. Amtrak (A unit only in phase 1 scheme); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (A unit only); Canadian Pacific (A units only [early maroon and block schemes in three numbers each, Action Red with Multimark herald in two numbers); Erie Lackawanna (A unit only in maroon-and-gray scheme); Illinois Central (orange-and-brown scheme, A unit and A-B sets in two numbers each); New York Central (A unit only in cigar band scheme); Pennsylvania RR (A unit only in Tuscan Red five-stripe scheme); Southern Ry. (A unit only in Crescent scheme); Union Pacific (Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray; A units and A-B sets in two numbers each, B unit in one number); and VIA Rail Canada (A unit only, four road numbers (two each from manufacturer and Otter Valley Railroad). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Seven noses, three steam generator options, three ends, and two sides; 36” fan, 48” fan, or non-dynamic brake options; and road-specific detail parts. Direct-current models: A unit, $229.95; Union Pacific B unit, $199.95; and A-B set, $429.90. With dual-mode sound decoder: A unit, $339.95; UP B unit, $309.95; and A-B set, $649.90. Delivery in later half 2021. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale freight cars
Assorted freight cars. Milwaukee Road 40-foot ribbed-side double-door automobile boxcar (post-1959 billboard lettering), $19.98. Agar Packing Co. 40-foot steel refrigerator car, $20.98. Burlington Northern Pullman-Standard 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay covered hopper (Cascade Green with large herald), single car, $21.98; three-pack, $64.98. Canadian Pacific American Car & Foundry 4,600-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay Center Flow covered hopper (gray with black beaver herald), $20.98. Light gray with data only American Car & Foundry two-bay covered hopper, $20.98. St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico 36-foot Fowler boxcar with Missouri Pacific Lines buzzsaw herald, $19.98. Injection-molded plastic kits with plastic wheelsets, Accumate couplers, and steel weight(s). Accurail, 630-365-1173, accurail.com
26-foot ore car with load. High-side car: Southern Pacific. Low-side car: CP Rail (Action Red with Multimark herald), Conrail (brown with small “can opener” herald), Ferromex (black and gray), Rio Tinto Group – Australia (Oxide Red with yellow end), and Union Pacific (maintenance-of-way green with ballast load). Thirteen road numbers per scheme (single car and three four-packs). Separate, factory-applied ladders, brake wheel, and wire grab irons; machined metal RP-25 contour wheels; and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Single car, $31.98; four-pack, $119.98. December 2021. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe CE-series International Car Co. wide-cupola cabooses. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (CE-6 [red with small circle-cross herald, black steps and frame, and Roman letters and numbers in two road numbers], CE-8 [“Kodachrome” paint scheme with Sinclair antenna and end roof rain gutters in one number], and CE-11 [later 1980s repaint with Helvetica-style letters and numbers, full-size circle-cross herald, and no number on cupola in two numbers]; Southern Pacific Santa Fe (“Kodachrome” painted Santa Fe CE-8 car in one number); and Toledo, Peoria & Western (Santa Fe CE-8 patchout in two numbers). See-through end platforms and steps, wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. With dual-mode NCE lighting, $109.98; with lighting and SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $149.98. December 2021. Genesis 2.0 series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Railway Express Agency steel express refrigerator car. New paint schemes: Railway Express Agency (mid-1950s scheme two and early 1960s schemes one and two); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe/REX (dark green and white); Seaboard Coast Line maintenance of way (dark green, white, and silver in one road number); and United States Department of Transportation Urban Rapid Rail Program support car (silver, blue, and red in one number). New numbers: Railway Express Agency (1947 as-delivered scheme). Three numbers per scheme unless noted; also available undecorated. Separate factory-installed ladders and grab irons, 3/3 improved Dreadnaught ends, and Accumate couplers. $41.95 (undecorated, $33.95). Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com
4,750-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay covered hopper. New paint schemes: Evergreen Hatchery Inc. (gray); Farmrail (gray and orange “I care” series cars, nine road numbers); Farmers Elevator Co. of Manteno, Ill. (blue and black); Grain Handling Corp., Herford, Texas (blue); Goodseed & Grain Co., Hamburg, Iowa (gray); Pomeroy Co-op Grain Co., Pomeroy & Knoke, Iowa (red and black); and Union Pacific (gray with shield herald on third panel). Six numbers per scheme unless noted. Etched-metal running boards and metal wheels. $44.95. InterMountain Railway Co., 303-772-1901, intermountain-railway.com
Pennsylvania RR class GLa two-bay hopper. Pre-production sample shown. Pennsylvania RR (circle and shadow keystone schemes); Berwind; Canadian National; Cambria & Indiana; Lehigh Valley; New York, Ontario & Western; and Westmoreland Coal. Also available undecorated (single car only). All-new tooling, die-cast metal frame and floor, interior rivet and bracing details, factory-installed wire grab irons, semi-scale draft-gear box, Pennsylvania R 12D-F8 trucks with turned-metal wheels, and Kadee no. 158 couplers. Single car, $49.95; six-pack, $299.70. Late 2021 delivery. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
International Car Co. cupola caboose. Boston & Maine (blue and black), Great Northern (Vermillion Red), Maine Central (yellow and green), Norfolk & Western (dark blue), Norfolk Southern (red), and Northern Pacific (brown). Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Two cupola window styles, Stanray overhanging diagonal-panel roof, see-through running boards, underbody toolbox as appropriate, Barber Swingmaster roller-bearing trucks with 33” turned metal wheelsets, Proto-Max metal couplers, and molded drill starter points for grab irons (detail kit sold separately). $39.98. February 2021. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale train sets
Amtrak Acela set. Includes first class car, end business class car, Cafe Acela car, 45” x 81” oval of nickel silver E-Z Track, power pack, and analog speed controller. One locomotive is powered and features Digital Command Control motor and light decoder (E-Z Command or other National Model Railroad Association-compliant digital control system required for DCC operation) and selector switch for choice between rail and pantograph operation. Second locomotive is unpowered. Passenger cars feature tilting chassis to travel smoothly around curves at high speeds, flush windows, and illuminated interiors. $599. Spectrum line. Bachmann Trains, 215-533-1600, bachmanntrains.com
HO scale structures
Pole barn and metal sheds. Kit includes pole barn, large shed, one-car garage, and small shed; doors; windows; non-working lights; electric meter; propane tank; and dry hydrants. Structure measurements: Pole barn, 6-9/64” x 8” (at roof overhang) x 3-5/16”; large shed/office, 2-1/8” x 2-13/16” x 1-1/2”; single-car garage, 1-21/32” x 2-29/64” x 1-11/32”; small backyard shed, 1-27/64” x 1-45/64” x 1”. $24.98. April 2021. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale details and accessories
Ford Model A phone truck. Bell Telephone, Bell of Pennsylvania, Bell Telephone of Canada, Illinois Bell Telephone, New England Telephone, New Jersey Bell, Pacific Bell, Southwestern Bell, and Wisconsin Bell. $29.98. December 2021. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
N scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division F45 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern (Cascade Green and black) and Wisconsin Central (maroon and yellow). Three road numbers per scheme. Die-cast metal frame, all-wheel electrical pickup, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current model, $149.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $249.98. December 2021. AthearnN, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
N scale freight cars
Pullman-Standard 50-foot PS-1 smooth-side plug-door boxcar. Bangor & Aroostook (red, white, and blue “State of Maine” scheme), Canadian Pacific (green with Multimark herald), Delaware & Hudson (yellow and blue), Denver & Rio Grande Western (orange, silver, and black scheme), Pennsylvania RR (Freight Car Color with shadow keystone herald), and Southern Ry. (Freight Car Red with “Gives a Green Light to Innovations” and “Insulated Super Cushion Service” slogans). Three road numbers per scheme. Screw-mounted solid- or roller-bearing trucks, machined metal wheels, and McHenry couplers. $26.98. December 2021. AthearnN, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Z scale locomotives
Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern. Three road numbers. Phase I body; corner-stacked number boards; Alco Association of American Railroads trucks; three-chime airhorn; 1,400-gallon fuel tank; twin-beam headlights; 7.5mm coreless motor with dual flywheels; traction tires, built-in pilot; directional light-emitting-diode headlights; and body-mounted couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
Pacific Fruit Express class R-70-20 mechanical refrigerator car. Golden West Service (Ventura County Ry. reporting marks). Seven road numbers (four-pack, two-pack, and single car). Metal wheels and Auto-Latch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Decals
Virginian Ry. composite hoppers. HO scale decal set features heralds, road names, road numbers for sides and ends, dimensional and end data, and 12 “canned” road numbers in white for Virginian Ry. class H-8A cars. Each set completes one car. $7.50 postpaid. Great Decals, Bill Mosteller, 3306 Parkside Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22031; greatdecals.com
