Atlas N scale GP39-2 diesel locomotive

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Atlas N scale GP39-2 diesel locomotive Sound or no sound has been one of the basic questions when buying new locomotives. If you bought an engine without sound, but later wanted to add a Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder, one of the hurdles was finding a place for the speaker, especially in N scale. […]

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Athearn Ready-to-Roll HO scale SD40T-2

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Athearn Ready-to-Roll HO scale SD40T-2 More prototype-specific detail and a dual-mode SoundTraxx Econami decoder highlight this HO scale SD40T-2 “tunnel motor” diesel from Athearn Trains. The plastic model has many enhancements compared to the previous Athearn Ready-to-Roll SD40T-2 that we reviewed back in the January 2008 issue. Prototype. In 1972, General Motors Electro-Motive Division and […]

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Quick Look: Kadee HO scale early PS-1 boxcar

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Kadee HO scale early PS-1 boxcar Price: $39.95 Manufacturer Kadee Quality Products Co. 673 Ave. C White City, OR 97503-1078 www.kadee.com Era: 1947 to 1980s Road names: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; New York Central; New York, New Haven & Hartford (with 7-foot door); Southern Ry.; and Union Pacific Comments: Kadee has released an early-production […]

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Walthers Cornerstone N scale bridge kits

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Wm. K. Walthers, which added easy-to-build HO scale railway bridges to its Cornerstone line a few years ago, is now doing the same in N scale. The single-track arched Pratt truss bridge kit is the latest in that line. I assembled and painted the bridge along with its matching pier and abutment kits, which are sold […]

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Quick Look: WalthersMainline HO scale Budd 85-foot dome coach

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WalthersMainline HO scale Budd 85-foot dome coach Price: $39.98 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 www.walthers.com Era: 1954 to present Road names: Amtrak (phase 3); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Southern Ry.; Union Pacific; and VIA Rail Canada. Also available undecorated. Comments: Wm. K. Walthers Inc. has added an […]

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Bus arrives at the Depot

Model bus parked at depot

Sometimes more than trains arrive at the depot on model railroad layouts! Here’s a short preview scene of a bus arriving at Maryville Depot, from a video currently in production. Being very new to Stop Motion filming, this was a test and there are a few flaws. This preview also showcases very recent (and yet […]

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In Memoriam: Randy Kennie

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Randy Kennie during his career at Bachmann Trains. Lloyd “Randy” Kennie, a longtime sales manager in the hobby industry, passed away on April 14, 2019. Randy served in the Navy as a Radioman 2nd Class in his younger years. After leaving the military, he worked at several companies in the hobby/crafts industry, including Felix V. […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 42

David Popp stands behind a counter in the Model Railroader workshop and introduces a video.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp wants YOU to watch this episode of Ask MRVP! If for no other reason than to hear his responses to hobby questions from viewers just like you. Tune in to find out how HO scale locomotives with capacitors run through […]

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New model trains for the week of May 16, 2019

Accurail HO scale sssorted freight cars

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SDP40F. Amtrak (phase 1 and 3 schemes); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (blue and yellow warbonnet); and BNSF Ry. (Maersk Sealand in one road number, Santa Fe patchout in two numbers). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Prototype-specific details, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 6

Cody modeling a GP7.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Cody now turns his attention from the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter cars to the locomotive used to haul them! Ride along with Cody as he works to model a GP7 featuring all of the right details and weathering effects […]

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