News & Products for the week of May 31, 2007

Pennsylvania RR GG1 electric locomotive

HO scale locomotivesGeneral Electric U25B diesel locomotive. Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (early cab). Büehler can motor with flywheels; brass m.u. hoses, air hoses, and windshield wipers; steel grab irons and coupler lift bars; and operating headlight. $149.95. Ready-to-run. Executive Series. Bowser Pennsylvania RR GG1 electric locomotive Pennsylvania RR GG1 electric locomotive. Tuscan Red. Die-cast metal […]

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Atlas N scale U23B

Atlas N U23B

Atlas N U23B Atlas Model Railroad Co. has released a smooth-running and accurate N scale model of General Electric’s U23B, a 2,250-hp four-axle road switcher introduced in 1968. The ready-to-run model has roadname-specific cab, headlight, and truck styles and is available in both traditional DC and Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder-equipped versions. Last of the […]

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MTH RailKing O gauge Baldwin VO-1000 diesel

YEARS AGO, before joining CLASSIC TOY TRAINS magazine, I was an Air Force transportation officer. I found myself on a staff-assistance visit to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and stumbled upon a weed-choked rail yard full of diesels in varying shades of faded Air Force blue. Baldwins, Whitcombs, Plymouths, Alcos, you name it. There they […]

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Kato’s N scale Electro-Motive Corp. NW2

Kato N Electro-Motive Corp. NW2

Kato N Electro-Motive Corp. NW2 Kato’s new N scale switch engine is an accurate representation of a pre-World War II Electro-Motive Corp. NW2. The ready-to-run model includes cab interior details, thin cross-section handrails, and a newly designed and very compact drive mechanism that performs well at low speed. Diesels come of age. The switch engine […]

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Atlas Trainman HO scale Alco RS-36 diesel locomotive

Atlas Trainman HO Alco RS-36 diesel

Atlas Trainman HO Alco RS-36 diesel The Atlas Trainman RS-36 is a solid performer that faithfully captures the appearance of the Alco prototype. The ready-to-run model features a new body shell but uses a traditional five-pole skew-wound motor found in other Atlas engines. The firm also offers an RS-32 in its Trainman line. The model […]

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MTH Premier line O gauge SD70ACe diesel

ONE OF THE Goliaths of modern railroading is the Electro-Motive SD70ACe, and it is far more than a tweak of the popular SD70. Electro-Motive designers re-worked its 16-cylinder prime mover to be more fuel-efficient and to meet tougher environmental emissions requirements. Improvments were made in just about every aspect: from crewmember ergonomics to ease of […]

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Digitrax sound unit for Kato HO scale EMD F40 diesels

Digitrax's new SDH104K1C+FN04K1 SoundFX decoder for Kato F40PH engines

Digitrax’s new SDH104K1C+FN04K1 SoundFX decoder for Kato F40PH engines makes installing sound in these HO scale locomotives a snap. Digitrax’s latest SoundFX Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder is made specifically for Kato’s F40PH passenger locomotives. The plug-and-play decoder replaces the locomotive’s factory-installed circuit board and comes wired with a lighting effects decoder and a 28mm, […]

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Nuremberg Toy Fair show report

Freeway, boulevard, park, and platform lights with light-emitting diodes and pin-socket connections are now available from Brawa

The 2007 Nuremberg Toy Fair is being held February 1 through 6, 2007, in the show’s namesake city in Germany. Several model railroad manufacturers displayed new items at the show. Below are just some of the products featured at the six-day event. Be sure to check back for updates. Bachmann Industries Europe had a sample […]

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Atlas O EMD GP15 diesel light road switcher

Atlas O EMD GP15 diesel light road switcher

Atlas O EMD GP15 diesel light road switcher Atlas O’s new Trainman GP15 is a scale-detailed, dual-motored light road switcher that lists for $239.95, about $200 less than a Silver Series Atlas O diesel. The model also includes directional lighting and a DCC (Digital Command Control) socket and wiring harness. Rebuilt road switchers. Introduced in […]

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News and products for the week of January 18, 2007

Alco RS-36 and RS-32 diesel locomotives

HO scale locomotivesAlco RS-3 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern, Chicago & North Western, Lehigh Valley, Penn Central, and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. Upgraded Roundhouse model with five-pole skew-wound motor, Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder Quick Plug, and see-through cab. $89.98. April 2007. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive. Union Pacific (four road […]

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