Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]
Digitrax DCS240 Command Station It isn’t often that a DCC manufacturer releases a new command station, so the new Digitrax DCS240 has drawn interest. After all, their DCS100 and DCS200 command stations have been around for 20 and 16 years, respectively. The big attention grabber is the statement the unit can “run up to 400 […]
Walthers HO scale SD45 diesel locomotive From its flared radiators to its Flexicoil trucks, the HO scale SD45 from WalthersProto captures the look of this second-generation diesel. All the versions offered also feature roadname- and era-specific detailing. I tested a Wisconsin Central Ry. version that came equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder. The prototype. With […]
TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 DCC sound decoder Price: $129.95 (decoder with Keep-Alive), $109.95 (decoder only) Manufacturer Train Control Systems P.O. Box 341 Blooming Glen, PA 18911 www.tcsdcc.com Comments: The WOWSound steam decoder, first reviewed in the October 2014 Model Railroader, is now better than ever with this Version 4 release. Our test sample included […]
Atlas N scale B36-7 diesel Packing 3,600 hp under its hood, the General Electric B36-7 was just what Seaboard System wanted when it placed an order for 120 units in 1985, more than doubling the production total of the locomotive. Now, Atlas Model Railroad Co. has re-released its line of B-B truck Dash-7s in new […]
Moloco HO General American 50-foot insulated boxcar Price: $49.99 Manufacturer Moloco 302-5025 Harvard Rd. Mississauga, ON L5M 0W6 Canada www.molocotrains.com Road names: Conrail, Milwaukee Road (Hydra-Cushion), Missouri Pacific, Rock Island, and Wabash. Four road numbers per scheme. Era: 1987 to late 1990s (as decorated) Comments: Moloco has released a new run of highly detailed HO […]
At the National Train Show 2016 held in Indianapolis, Ind., the Model Railroader staff came across a line of professionally built test tracks from Good Deals DCC. Gary Cohn, president of Good Deals DCC, custom-built a 15-foot long version for the Model Railroader workshop. Follow along as Gary shows senior editor Dana Kawala how to […]
Accucraft 2-6-6-6 Allegheny Accucraft caboose Bachmann Thomas & Friends box van LGB gang car LGB open-air observation car Engines & rolling stock Accucraft Trains, 33268 Central Ave., Union City CA 94587, has announced two new products. The first is a 2-6-6-6 Allegheny in 1:32 scale for gauge-1 track, in both live steam and electric. The […]
Marc Horovitz Disc sander Proxxon Tools PO Box 1909 Hickory NC 28603 Price: $300 Website: www.proxxon.com 9 3/4″ disc sander (#TSG 250/E); cast-aluminum housing; double ball-bearing spindle; aluminum, tilting work table; electronic speed control; adjustable miter gauge; owner’s manual; approximate footprint: 11″ x 11″; height, 14″ Pros: Solid construction; easily replacable sanding discs; variable-speed motor; […]
Kevin Strong DCC-equipped 1:22.5 scale, gauge 1, steam-outline locomotive TrainLine Made in Germany Available from: Train Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $945 (analog DC); $1,145 (DCC) Website: www.trainli.com Mostly plastic steam-outline 0-6-0T; plastic side rods and valve gear; power pickup from all wheels plus skates; working headlights and cab light; available as […]
Turntable plan set in 1:24 scale Vilas County Lumber Company 12306 Lakeview Trail Homer Glen IL 60491 Prices: $18; plans only, $13; free shipping Website: www.VCLCo.com Photos of eight different turntables; full-size plans for 1:24-scale 60′ Lassig turntable; eight 9 1/2″ x 13″ pages and three 13″ x 19″ pages; spiral bound; printed in color; […]
Kato USA released a Second-generation Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Sound Card that’s a perfect match to its new HO scale mid-production SD40-2. Check out the realistic effects provided by SoundTraxx as Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala demonstrates the new Sound Card with a Kato Sound Box controller. […]
