Product news
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest model railroad product news 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 20, 2022. See all new products and product reviews at Trains.com.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division SD80MAC diesel locomotive. Conrail, Chicago & North Western (fictional scheme), CSX (yellow, blue, and gray and dark blue and yellow schemes), and Norfolk Southern (Primed for Grime Conrail patchout, three road numbers). Two numbers per scheme unless noted. Prototype-specific details, detailed cab interior, and wire grab irons. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder, $359.99. February 2023. Genesis 2.0 series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Montreal Locomotive Works M420W and M420R diesel locomotives. Second release. Canadian National versions: CN (stripes) class MR-20b and MR-20c and North America scheme, Minnesota Commercial Ry. (conditional release), and Oil Creek & Titusville RR. BC Rail version (all conditional releases): British Columbia (two-tone stripe and lightning stripe, A unit and A/B set), BC Rail (red, white, and blue [A unit, A/B set, and B/B set in “hockey stick” scheme], and Delaware-Lackawanna. M420R (conditional releases): Providence & Worcester (as-delivered and 1990s schemes). Conditional releases must meet the minimum pre-order requirements to proceed. Prototype-specific details, metal side handrails with plastic stanchions, and factory-installed grab irons and stanchions. Direct-current models with 21-pin connector for Digital Command Control decoder: A unit, $249.95; A/B set, $469.95. With dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder: A unit, $369.95; A/B set, $699.95. Release date to be announced. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale freight cars
General American 20,000-gallon acid service tank car. GATX (white with “Service Driven” logo, white, white with black band, and white with yellow conspicuity stripes) and Occidental Chemical Corp. (white with mineral red band). Three road numbers per scheme. Etched-metal walkways, prototype-specific brake systems, and trucks with rotating bearing caps. $54.99. February 2023. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (class GA-151 in 1965 as-delivered scheme); CGF Grain Co. Inc. (1964 as-delivered scheme with TLDX reporting marks, three road numbers); Far-Mar-Co (1972 and 1975 repaints, three numbers each); Kansas City Southern (1964 as-delivered scheme); Milwaukee Road (1981 repaint, one number); Peavey Co. (1964 as-delivered scheme); and West Central Cooperative Grain Co., Omaha, Neb. (1964 as-delivered scheme with TLDX reporting marks, three numbers). Six numbers per scheme unless noted; also available as undecorated kit. Photo-etched stainless steel running boards and brake platform; wire uncoupling levers, brake rigging, and brake rods; and Kadee no. 58 scale couplers. $54.99. ExactRail, 866-945-1701, exactrail.com
HO scale details and accessories
Assorted 1950s vehicles. Sedan: Pink, police, red, and yellow. Taxis: City Cab Co. and Downtown Taxi. Separate, factory-applied details; molded interior with separate steering wheel; clear window glazing; and vinyl tires. $29.99. February 2023. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
O scale freight cars
General American 53’-6” double-sheathed express refrigerator car. New road numbers: Railway Express Agency, American Refrigerator Express, American Refrigerator Transport, Soo Line, and Western Pacific. New paint schemes: Nickel Plate Road and Northern Refrigerator Car Co. (with Northern Pacific herald). Two road numbers per paint scheme. All cars painted green and black; also available undecorated. Sprung, die-cast metal General Steel Castings Commonwealth express car trucks; metal ladders, stirrup steps, and grab irons; operating doors and roof hatches; and detailed underframe. $90.95 (undecorated, $84.95). Master Line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
Pennsylvania RR class X29 40-foot boxcar. New paint schemes: Pennsylvania RR (brown and white with yellow Stores Dept. “S”) and Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (brown and white). New road numbers: Chesapeake & Ohio (black with “C&O for Progress” herald), Chicago Great Western (brown and white), Nickel Plate Road (brown and white), and Lehigh & New England (black and white). Four numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Plastic body; die-cast metal chassis; and separate, factory-applied grab irons, ladders, and stirrup steps. $74.95. Master Line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
Scenery
Snow-covered pine trees. Ready-to-use trees feature metal trunk. Trees measure 3.6” tall and 4.3” tall (eight each per pack). Sixteen-pack, $32.98. Rock Island Hobby, rockislandhobby.com
Tools
Flexi Loco Lifts. PT-60 (single) and PT61 (double). Drive on/drive off locomotive lifts that can also be used to store and transport models. Injection-molded plastic kits (no glue required) with sides, adjustable end pieces, metal contact strips, screws, plastic clips, and end slides. For use with N, OO/HO, OO-9/HOe, HOn3, EM, and TT/HOm. Single, $19.99; double, $34.99. Prices may vary based on exchange rate. Peco Tools line. Pritchard Patent Product Co. Ltd. (Peco), 01297 626204, peco-uk.com
Books
General Motors Electro-Motive Division Volume 1. Reproductions of 13 General Motors brochures and publications from the Electro-Motive Division. Examples include “Welcome to Electro-Motive Division of General Motors” (brief look at EMD and its facilities), “Electro-Motive Division Presents the F3” (promotional brochure on the benefits and capabilities of the F3), and “Passenger Traffic is Profitable” (covers the benefits of EMD diesel locomotives for passenger trains). Softcover, 122 pages. $35. Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive series. Produced by SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.com
Alco Locomotives Volume 1. Reprints of Alco publications, including “Diesel Switching Locomotives” (covers 300hp, 400hp, 600hp, and 900hp models), “Montreal Locomotive” (a look at some of the engines built by MLW from the 1920s to 1940s), “Freight Locomotives for the Delaware & Hudson” (4-6-6-4 steam locomotives built for the D&H), and “Alco Three Cylinder Locomotives” (includes specifications for UP types, 4-10-2s, Mountains, Mohawks, Mikados, Pacifics, and switchers). Softcover, 102 pages. $35. Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive series. Produced by SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, 914-967-7541, ronsbooks.com
