HO scale AC4400CW from ScaleTrains

Gray and red diesel locomotive

General Electric AC4400CW Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $204.99; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder, $299.99 Era: 1995 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 7598 Highway 411, Benton, TN 37307; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com Features: Road-number-specific details Factory-installed wire grab irons, m.u. clusters, uncoupling levers, windshield wipers, and more […]

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Bachmann 52’-6” drop-end gondola

Red gondola freight car

52′-6″ drop-end gondola Scale: N (1:160) Price: To be announced Era: Varies depending on paint scheme Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: Positionable drop-end gates E-Z Mate Mark II couplers Blackened metal RP-25 contoured wheels Release date: 2023 Paint scheme: Great Northern (Vermillion Red), New York Central (black), […]

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Bachmann Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel locomotive

Red, white, and blue modern passenger diesel locomotive

Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel locomotive Scale: N (1:160) Price: $459 Era: 2020s+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: Dual-mode TCS WOWSound decoder Keep-Alive capacitor Separate, factory-applied windshield wipers, grab irons, and detail parts Voice-guided Audio Assist Directional headlights and marker lights Interior corridor work lights Steady/alternate flashing ditch […]

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Bob Phelps’ HO scale Green River layout

trackplan

Facts & features Name: Green River, Wyoming Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 25′-6″ x 38′-0″ Theme: Union Pacific division point yard Locale: Green River, Wyo. Era: 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 1,200 feet Minimum radius: 48″ Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum grade: 1.42 percent Benchwork: open grid on L-girder Height: approximately 36″ Roadbed: cork Track: […]

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Ron Papiercavich’s N scale Lehigh Valley layout

Facts & features Name: Lehigh Valley Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16′-0″ x 22′-6″ Prototype: Lehigh Valley Locale: eastern Pennsylvania Era: 1968 to 1976 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 90 feet Minimum radius: 13 3/4″ (industrial track), 19″ (main) Minimum turnout: no. 5 (yards), no. 7 (main) Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 49″ to […]

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ClassOneModelWorks.com announces Electro-Motive Division GP40

Black and gold diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division GP40 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: To be announced Era: April 1966 to present (varies depending on paint scheme Manufacturer: ClassOneModelWorks.com, 8610 NW 107th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64153; 816-243-0044; ClassOneModelWorks.com Features: Road- and unit-specific body styles Flat cap 48” fans Diamond mesh radiator intake screen Early triangular fuel tank mounts Ribbed cab base […]

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September 2022

september issue cover

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 All aboard for the next leg of the trip NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 12 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 What does freight car lettering mean? STEP BY STEP, pg. 24 Quick and easy gondola […]

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Electro-Motive Division BL2 from Bachmann

Black streamlined diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division BL2 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: To be announced Era: 1947+ Manufacturer: Bachmann Trains, 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; bachmanntrains.com Features: New and existing tooling Directional light-emitting-diode headlights with Rule 17 dimming Dual-mode decoder E-Z Mate Mark II couplers Blackened RP-25 contour wheels Release date: 2023 Paint schemes: Chesapeake & Ohio […]

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Trainfest ‘resurrection’ in progress

HO-scale model of a logging locomotive hauling a train in a prairie scene.

If Dave Swanson has his way, Trainfest attendees this year will feel right at home. “We’re trying to bring Trainfest to its past glory,” says Swanson, lead organizer of Trainfest to be held near Milwaukee Nov. 12 and 13. “The word I’m fond of using is, ‘resurrection.’ ” Swanson is founder of the Great American […]

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Bowser Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive

Tuscan red diesel locomotive

Alco RS3 “Hammerhead” diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current, $249.95; with sound decoder, $349.95 Era: 1953 to 1979 Manufacturer: Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 1302 Jordan Ave., Montoursville, PA 17754; 570-368-2379; bowser-trains.com Features: Can motor Light-emitting diode lighting Blackened, nickel-plated wheels Separate, factory-applied detail parts Release date: Fall 2023 Paint schemes: Pennsylvania RR (as-delivered with […]

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Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 from Bachmann

Screen capture from HO scale 4-6-2 video

Pennsylvania RR class K4 4-6-2 from Bachmann Senior Editor Cody Grivno hosts this Product Review video featuring the Pennsylvania RR (PRR) class K4 Pacific steam locomotive from Bachmann Trains. The 4-6-2 paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout, where it led a short train of heavyweight passenger cars. Details on the […]

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