Video: Athearn Trains N scale F59PHI and cars

Front of athearn train

We tested the Athearn Trains N scale EMD F59PHI diesel locomotive on our Salt Lake Route model train layout. Equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder, the locomotive looked and sounded great hauling a set of Athearn N scale Bombardier bi-level commuter cars. […]

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Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive

Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive

Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive A smooth dual-flywheel mechanism and a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder highlight this new HO scale GP9 diesel from Bachmann. The four-axle locomotive model performed well during direct-current (DC) and DCC tests, and pulled a respectable number of freight cars on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy […]

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News & Products for May 26, 2011

Blackstone Models HO scale Denver & Rio Grande Western class C-19 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive HO scale locomotives Denver & Rio Grande Western class C-19 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive. HOn3. Available with Royal Gorge Route herald (green or black boiler jackets), Flying Grande lettering, and modified “bumblebee” paint scheme as used in the movie Denver […]

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Review: Atlas O Phase II F3 diesel

PR0711_Missouri-Pacific

Many years ago I read an article about railroad roundhouses in North Dakota. The article made the point that they were located about every 100 miles because steam locomotives continually shook themselves apart and needed to have maintenance before they could be reused. Well, that made sense of a sort. And since even smaller engine […]

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MTH O gauge Premier line GE U25B

PR0711_2-locos

You know I’m not sure if I ever saw a General Electric U25B diesel locomotive operating in revenue service. Oh, back in the day, I have a hazy memory of perhaps seeing one in a backshop deadline, although that may have been another four-axle GE model. But during my prime railfanning period (1978-85), I believe […]

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DPU rear markers

TRN-AT0511_06

Rear-end locomotives on distributed power trains may run with or without flashing rear end devices. Steve Schmollinger Q I see distributed power on BNSF freights inbound into San Diego, and some have flashing rear end devices attached to the coupler at the end locomotives. What are the circumstances for using a FRED on end-of-train locomotives?— […]

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Building Bay Junction 20

Kent Johnson next to layout backdrop

Model Railroader executive editor Andy Sperandeo finishes up the corn syrup transloading terminal in Williams Bay. He’s adding a Walthers HO scale chain link fence. Associate editor Cody Grivno is in the workshop detailing diesel locomotives for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. You’ll also see associate editors Steve Otte and Kent Johnson working on other […]

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Building Bay Junction 20

Kent Johnson next to layout backdrop

Model Railroader executive editor Andy Sperandeo finishes up the corn syrup transloading terminal in Williams Bay. He’s adding a Walthers HO scale chain link fence. Associate editor Cody Grivno is in the workshop detailing diesel locomotives for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. You’ll also see associate editors Steve Otte and Kent Johnson working on other […]

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Piko America LLC BR199 German diesel locomotive

Piko America LLC BR199 German diesel locomotive

Piko America LLC BR199 German diesel locomotive With its new model of a German narrow-gauge diesel, Piko has entered the market for G narrow-gauge equipment in a big way – literally. The two-motor, 12-wheel locomotive is more than 21″ long. The prototype for Piko’s model is a B-B diesel-hydraulic that was developed for the East […]

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