I’ve rarely been predisposed to like a locomotive quite as much as I have the 4-6-0 from Williams by Bachmann. From the ads it appears to be a nice, moderately sized model – a sort of utility infielder that would look good running either freight or passenger ops, yet sized to fit with scale or […]
This S gauge model is a major step forward for American Flyer enthusiasts. The arrival of the Union Pacific Challenger clearly affirms Lionel’s intention of marketing die-cast metal steam locomotives that are both esthetically and operationally the equal of anything in O gauge, but in 1:64 scale, of course. The Union Pacific Challenger needs no […]
Rail Yard Models, a manufacturer of HO scale resin model railroad freight car kits, ceased operations on March 1, 2012. In a statement on the company’s website, owner Gene Fusco wrote, “I have had a great deal of satisfaction designing, manufacturing, and selling my kits to some of the best modelers in the railroad hobby. […]
The Walthers HO scale model of the Pennsylvania RR Broadway Limited passenger train is led by two WalthersProto General Motors Electro-Motive Division E8A diesel-electric locomotives. Each locomotive includes a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch the model train run on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
Kevin Strong 1:29 scale, gauge-1 2-8-0Aristo-Craft Trains698 S. 21st St.Irvington NJ 07111Price: $891Website: www.aristocraft.com Plastic model of a 2-8-0, based on the Baltimore & Ohio E-27-class Consolidations. Dimensions: length, 29″ over couplers (70′ scale); width, 4″ (9.6′ scale); height, 6.5″ to top of stack (15.7′ scale). Minimum radius, 4′ (8′ diameter) Pros: Smooth, quiet motor […]
Kevin Strong 1:29 scale, gauge 1, Class 66 diesel-electric locomotiveAristo-Craft TrainsAvailable in the US exclusively from: Trainworld751 McDonald Ave.Brooklyn NY 11218Price: $799.99Website: www.trainworld.com Plastic model of Canadian-built Class 66 locomotives, produced for the UK and Europe between 1998 and 2008. Dimensions: length, 29″ (70′ scale); width, 3.5″ (8.5′ scale); height, 5.5″ (13.3′ scale). Minimum radius, […]
Kevin Strong Automatic station-stop control for DCC-controlled railroads (all scales)DCC BitSwitch31190 Eagle Crest LaneEvergreen CO 80439Prices: Timed-stop station control, $89.95; DC brake generator (needed in conjunction), $25Website: www.dccbitswitch.com Circuit boards to provide automatic station stops for DCC-powered railroads Pros: Wiring diagrams clear and easy to follow; simple installation Cons: Only works on track powered, DCC-controlled […]
Marc Horovitz 1:24-scale Helms Bakery TruckJuDee’s Collectibles, LLCPO Box 385El Segundo CA 90245Price: $125 + s&hWebsite: www.judeescollectibles.com Ready-to-use model of a Helms Bakery truck; die-cast construction; operating side doors and vent windows; full interior; rolling wheels (not steerable). Dimensions: length, 67/8″; width, 3″; height, 39/16″. In 1:24 scale, this works out to 13’9″ x 6′ […]
Making Model Buildings for Garden Railways by Peter Jones with Kes JonesCrowood PressThe Stable Block, Crowood Lane, RamsburyMarlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2HRUnited KingdomAvailable in the US from:Quayside Publishing Group400 First Avenue North, Suite 300Minneapolis MN 55401 7¾” x 10″, 192 pages, hardbound, profusely illustrated in color Price: $39.95 Website: www.qbookshop.com The legions of Peter Jones fans […]
Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes and road numbers: Southern Pacific; CP Rail; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Nickel Plate Road; Toledo, Peoria & Western; and Western Maryland. Three road numbers each. Directional headlights, prototype-specific details, and McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. […]
The Canadian Maple Leaf freight set may be the “Sir Mix-a-Lot” of starter sets because it jumbles up Canadian road names as well as eras. This is the third Lionel O gauge set we received for review in late 2011, and it may be the best of them. It combines an uncommon road name (for […]
Why, oh, why, you ask, is Bob reviewing plastic buildings? Has he gone crazy? Are submarines from the HO-conspiracy torpedoing container ships hauling O gauge trains from China to America? Are there no new boxcabs or triplexes to cover? Nope. It’s not that. The answer is actually quite simple. Here is a smart new product […]
