General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector and factory-installed speakers, $169.99 Era: 1990s to mid-2000s+ (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric C40-9W diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Road-name-specific horn, snow plow, rear grills, trucks, and antennas Factory […]
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Railroad Cranes, Vol. 1 Price: $35 Publisher: SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, P.O. Box 714, Harrison, NY 10528; 914-967-7541; ronsbooks.com Railroad Cranes, Vol. 1 features: 150-page softcover book featuring reproduction manufacturer catalogs. Burro Cranes Model 15: Includes photos, drawings, specifications, and components. Byers Shovels and Cranes: Covers many models of cranes with information on […]
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40-foot intermodal chassis Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Two-pack, $39.99 Era: 1980s to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 40-foot chassis features: Rubber tires Printed mud flaps Raised and lowered landing gear Release date: September 2023 Paint schemes: American Presidential Lines (blue), Flexi-Van (black), TRAC Intermodal (black), Genstar (orange), “K” Line […]
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HO scale intercity bus Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.99 Era: 1940s to 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Features: Rubber tires Windshield wipers Interior detail Available: September 2023 Paint schemes: Pacific Electric (red and orange with Long Beach destination board), band on tour (green and […]
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Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]
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Model railroading is a multi-faceted hobby What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first true model train piece was an Athearn Chessie System GP35. Oversized and clunky, that was the acceptable standard back in the early 1980s, much as model railroading then was less about prototype practice and operation than the trains themselves. […]
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Q: Can you provide a simple procedure for pairing locomotives in a consist? One locomotive is pulling or pushing the one in front. – Stephen J. Szypula A: An important part of making your consist work is speed-matching the locomotives so they don’t fight each other. If your locomotives respond to the same throttle speed step […]
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Actor Michael Gross shares hobby insights | Yes, that @actormichaelgross is engaged to present a keynote address at the Gateway 2022 National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) convention banquet on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Prior to this St. Louis, Mo., event, Michael graciously took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Eric White, Editor […]
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Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $239.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $339.99. Era: 1970s to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Celcon handrails Detailed fuel tank with […]
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Rapido Trains HO scale barrel ore hoppers Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he reviews the new HO scale National Steel Car barrel ore hoppers from Rapido Trains. The models are offered in 35- and 42-foot versions and are decorated for Canadian National and Ontario Northland in various paint schemes. The ready-to-run barrel ore hoppers […]
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RailSmith Models N scale lightweight duplex sleepers RailSmith Models N scale lightweight duplex sleepers: Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a look at pre-production samples of the new 8-duplex-roomette, 6-roomette, 3-bedroom, 1-compartment lightweight sleeper from RailSmith Models. See cars decorated for Northern Pacific’s 1947 and 1953 North Coast Limited and in Great Northern’s Big Sky Blue […]
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Midday Modeler — 08-03-2022 — This week Cody Grivno hosts from the Model Railroader workshop. Special guests include Eric White, Brian Schmidt, David Popp, and more! Cody shows off the latest from PIKO America, a Model Railroader freight car in N-scale, plus all the modeling items you might pick up if you are already out back […]
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