Soundtraxx Tsunami SoundCar decoder If you’ve ever stood trackside, you know that the sound of a train doesn’t end once the locomotive passes. There are squealing flanges, the banging of a flat spot wheel, and the clickety-clack of wheels over rail joints. The Tsunami SoundCar Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder from SoundTraxx brings these effects […]
WalthersProto HO scale 65′ Thrall mill gondola Price: $31.98 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 www.walthersproto.com Era: 1970s to present Road names: Baltimore & Ohio, CSX, Algoma Central, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Comments: Modelers who need mill gondolas for their fleets have a few more choices as Walthers has released new paint schemes […]
Walthers HO scale snowplow A newly tooled Russell snowplow has been added to the WalthersProto line. But don’t confuse this model with its kit predecessor from 20 years ago. The ready-to-run 2014 version has prototype-specific details, metal wheelsets, a flanger with rivet detail, factory-installed wire grab irons, and underbody brake detail. In addition, the new […]
Atlas Model RR Co. HO scale Alco C-424 diesel locomotive Although the HO scale Alco C-424 has been part of the Atlas product line for years, this latest Classic-series version marks the first time the firm’s HO model has been available with an ESU LokSound Select Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder that captures the raspy […]
Athearn Trains HO scale GP39X diesel locomotive appropriately detailed for the Southern Ry. Athearn HO scale GP49 Athearn also makes a GP49 detailed specifically after its Norfolk Southern prototype. An Electro-Motive Division diesel unique to the Southern Ry. is being offered for the first time in plastic by Athearn Trains. The GP39X, upgraded to a […]
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale UP 4-8-2 steam locomotive A Union Pacific class MT-73 available in multiple versions joins Broadway Limited Imports’ HO scale steam roster. The detailed model, which features a dual-mode BLI Paragon2 sound decoder and a synchronized puffing smoke unit, operates smoothly on both Digital Command Control and direct-current (DC) layouts. The […]
Walthers HO scale Amfleet passenger cars Walthers, like prototype builder Budd Co. before it, has built on its Metroliner multiple-unit cars to bring newly tooled Amfleet equipment to HO. The cars are offered in both Amfleet I and II body styles. The Amfleet I models depict an 84-seat coach and an Amcafe. The Amfleet II […]
Kato N scale Elective-Motive Division F2 and F3 diesel locomotives Electro-Motive Division’s F series diesels are perhaps the most recognized locomotives in the world. Kato USA is offering a newly tooled N scale version of the F2/early F3 diesel in two-engine sets, wearing the vivid liveries characteristic of the booming postwar era. Kato’s models are […]
Fox Valley Models N scale RD-4 hopper Price: $18.95; 12-pack, $227.40 Manufacturer Fox Valley Models P.O. Box 1970 Des Plaines, IL 60017 www.foxvalleymodels.com Era: 1990s to present Comments: A modern-era coal hopper has been added to the Fox Valley Models N scale freight car lineup. The car, based on a Trinity Industries prototype, accurately features […]
Atlas HO scale 40 ft 6 inch postwar boxcar Price: $27.95 Manufacturer Atlas Model Railroad Co. 378 Florence Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205 www.atlasrr.com Era: 1945 to late 1970s Comments: Atlas now offers a transition-era 40-foot boxcar in its Master Line of ready-to-run rolling stock. The Association of American Railroads 40′-6″ postwar boxcar, originally offered as […]
Athearn HO scale GP40-2L diesel locomotive For the first time in plastic, a Canadian National GP40-2L is available in HO scale. Athearn Trains’ Genesis series brings out-of-the-box superdetailing to a new level, and this Canadian-built variation of an Electro-Motive Division GP40-2 is no exception. The Digital Command Control version includes a dual-mode SoundTraxx DCC sound […]
Train Control Systems WOWSound DCC decoder After years of making Digital Command Control motor decoders, Train Control Systems enters the world of DCC sound in a big way with its WOWSound line of decoders. TCS uses microSD card technology to give the WOWSound decoders enough storage space for full-CD quality audio files. I tested the […]
