News & Products for the week of January 23rd 2023
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 23rd 2023.
News
Atlas acquires River Point Station HO scale tooling
Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc. announced the purchase of River Point Station’s HO scale vehicle tooling. River Point Station Fine Scale Models of Warwick, R.I., was founded in 2006 by Ron Elsdoerfer to produce accessories for modelers. For the past 14 years, River Point Station has become well-known for its line of licensed N and HO scale vehicles. The sale to Atlas will bring continuity to the line and possible expansion with 3-D deigns for previously unproduced and unannounced models. Paul Graf, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Model Railroad Co., said, “In December 2020, River Point Station announced that they would be streamlining their product line and would cease producing N scale vehicles. We did not want to see a void left in the market, so we acquired the N scale tooling. “After a successful launch of N scale models utilizing this tooling, we are happy to announce that we have acquired RPS’ HO scale vehicle tooling. [We] look forward to continued success with the line.” The acquired Ford tooling from River Point Station includes the F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks; F-350 and F-450 service and bucket trucks; and brush fire, mini-pumper, and ambulance rescue trucks. Ford Expedition EL (civilian, limited civilian, and police-fire) tooling was also acquired in the sale. All of the newly acquired models will be offered in multiple paint schemes and cab variations. The F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks will be available with single and dual rear wheels. The F-450 and F-550 trucks will have dual rear wheels. Atlas is no stranger to producing Ford-licensed models. Vehicles already in the Atlas product lineup include the 1973 F-100 pickup truck, 1978 Fairmont sedan and station wagon, 1984 LNT 9000 tractor cab, 1993 Ford Explorer, and 1997 F-150 pickup truck. All of these models are offered in N and HO scales. Atlas Model Railroad Co. has yet to officially announce HO scale Ford offerings based on the River Point Station tooling. For the latest updates on the HO scale vehicles, visit shop.atlasrr.com.
HO scale locomotives
Athearn Genesis Electro-Motive Division GP40-2
Price: DCC, $229.99; DCC with sound, $329.99.
Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division GP40-2 features:
- Various road number specific details
Release date: February 2024
Road names: CSX; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton; Ontario Northland; Quebec-Gatineau Railway; Southern Pacific; and Union Pacific.
PIKO Whitcomb 65T
Price: DCC and sound, $379.99
Manufacturer: PIKO America LLC, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego, CA 92120; piko-america.com
Whitcomb 65T features:
- Die-cast chassis and hood
- Factory applied details
- Metal handrails
Release date: June 2023
Road names: Atlantic Coast Line
Rapido Alco PA/PB
Price: Direct current model – A-unit, $239.95; A-B two-pack, $459.90. With DCC and sound – A-unit, $349.95; two-pack, $669.90
Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com
Alco PA/PB features:
- A-units and A-B sets available
- Separately-applied grab irons and handrails
- Light-emitting diode number boards
- Fully-detailed cab interior
- Operating Gyralite or red Mars light
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Erie-Lackawanna; General Electric; Gulf, Mobile & Ohio; Missouri-Kansas-Texas; Missouri Pacific; New Haven; and Union Pacific.
WalthersMainline Electro-Motive Division GP9
Price: Direct current, $169.98; with DCC and sound, $219.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Electro-Motive Division GP9 features:
- Standard high short hood
- Front & rear footboards or front plow & flat rear pilot, as appropriate
- See-through steps
- Constant and directional warm white light-emitting diode headlights
Release date: Spring 2023
Road names: Chesapeake & Ohio; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton; Northern Pacific; Pennsylvania Railroad; Santa Fe; and Western Maryland. Also available undecorated.
HO scale freight cars
Athearn Genesis Trailer Train F89-F flatcar
Price: Single, $49.99; with 45-foot trailer, $84.99
Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com
Trailer Train F89-F flatcar features:
- Separately applied brake ratchet, wire grab irons and ladders
- 70-ton roller bearing trucks with animated rotating bearing caps
- Available with 45-foot Fruehauf Z-Van trailer
Release date: January 2024
Road names: Kansas City Southern; Southern Pacific; and Trailer Train.
Broadway Limited American Car & Foundry 6000-gallon tank car
Price: Two-pack, $84.99
Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 broadway-limited.com
American Car & Foundry 6000-gallon tank car features:
- Variety two-packs available
- Separately-applied handrails, ladders, roof walkway, and other details
- Two body types
Release date: Available now
Road names: Brown Co.; Canadian Industries; Christmas paint scheme; Columbia Southern; Dow Chemical; Ethyl Corp.; Hooker; Merrimac Chemical Co.; Niagara Alkali; Niagara Smelting; Penn Salt; Pittsburgh Plate Glass; Solvay Process; Stauffer Chemical; Southern Alkali; UTLX; Virginia Chemical; Virginia Smelting; Westvaco; and Wyandotte.
ExactRail Pacific Car & Foundry beer car
Price: $54.99
Manufacturer: ExactRail, 525 E. 1860 S., Provo, UT 84606; 866-945-1701; exactrail.com
Pacific Car & Foundry beer car features:
- Machined metal wheel sets and axles
- Separately-applied air hoses and grab irons
- Separately-applied door tracks and door bars
Release date: March/April 2023
Road names: Conrail; Lamb Weston; Manufacturers Railway; Progressive Rail; and Tropicana.
Rapido Budd gallery cars
Price: Single coach, $119.95; single cab, $134.95; three-car set, $349.95
Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com
Budd gallery cars feature:
- Track-powered interior light-emitting diode lighting
- Full interior with “gallery” seating
- Tinted windows
- Full underbody including HEP conduit and equipment
- Metal side grab irons and sprung diaphragms
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Burlington Northern and Metra. Also available unlettered.
WalthersMainline Association of American Railroads refrigerator car
Price: $34.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Association of American Railroads refrigerator car features:
- Keystone or Hydra-Cushion underframe detail
- Short ladders & low hand brakes
- 9′ Youngstown plug door with separate latch bars
- Stanray peaked, ribbed roof with capped exhaust stack
Release date: Spring 2023
Road names: American Refrigerator Transit; Bangoor & Aroostook; Burlington Northern Fruit Express; Pacific Fruit Express; Lamb Weston; Soo Line; Union Pacific Fruit Express; and Wisconsin Central. Undecorated unit also available.
WalthersProto Jordan Spreader
Price: $99.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Jordan Spreader features:
- Positionable wings & moldboards
- Underbody brake gear and piping details
- Thin profile stirrups
- Cab window “glass”
- Railroad-specific details
Release date: Spring 2023
Road names: Burlington Northern; Delaware & Hudson; Maintenance-of-Way; Milwaukee Road; Monon; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; and Wisconsin Central. Also available in MoW Shark Teeth paint scheme.
HO scale figures
Modelu 3D printed figures
Price: Varies depending on figure
Manufacturer: Modelu, Unit 21C, Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Bristol, BS5 0HE, 07887 803737, info@modelu3d.co.uk, https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/
Modelu 3D printed figure features:
- High resolution, 3D scanned and printed figures
- Figures are unpainted
- Various engine crew, hobos, mill workers and railroad personnel
- Transitional and modern eras
- Various scales available
Release date: Available now
N scale structures
Walthers Cornerstone modern lumber transload
Price: $64.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Modern lumber transload features:
- Parts for two covered storage sheds with interior lumber racks
- Separate office
- Concrete paving between track cross over
- Parts to make eight lumber stacks in four different sizes
Release date: Spring 2023
Z scale locomotives
American Z Line Electro-Motive Division E7
Price: Contact manufacturer
Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com
Electro-Motive Division E7 features:
- Prototype-specific details
- Directionally-controlled light-emitting diode illumination
- Optional front truck with mounted coupler
- Blackened metal wheels
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Milwaukee Road
Z scale freight cars
American Z Line 89-foot flat cars with loads
Price: Contact manufacturer
Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com
89-foot flat cars feature:
- Partnership between AZL and Z-Panzer
- M070 truck and M1000 trailer loads
- Truck and trailer available in green and tan
Release date: To be announced
American Z Line Maxi-IV
Price: Contact Manufacturer
Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com
Maxi-IV features:
- Each set includes six containers
- 53’ and 40’ containers available
- Mix of containers from discount stores, online stores, overnight delivery services, shipping companies, moving companies, and railroads
Release date: To be announced
Road names: DTTX
News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more. Model railroad product news may include HO, N, O, S, and Z scales. Product release dates and prices will vary according to each manufacturer.
If you are a manufacturer and have new product releases, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cgrivno@kalmbach.com and Associate Editor Bryson Sleppy at bsleppy@kalmbach.com for more information.
