Members of the Model Railroader staff attended the National Train Show held on August 10-12, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. Follow associate editor Cody Grivno as he travels the show floor and brings you new product highlights from Atlas, Bachmann, Kato USA, Wm. K. Walthers, and Woodland Scenics. […]
ScaleTrains.com N scale GE ET44AC diesel The ScaleTrains.com N scale GEVO Tier 4 diesels include prototype-specific details. ScaleTrains.com brings the modern era to N scale with its General Electric (GE) Tier 4 GEVo diesel locomotives in several variations. The Rivet Counter line model features railroad-specific details, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and light-emitting-diode headlights […]
For the first time in plastic, ready-to- run models representing Union Pacific’s first two classes of 4-6-6-4 Challenger locomotives are available in HO scale from Athearn Trains. Part of the firm’s Genesis series, these steam locomotives feature prototype-specific detail that rivals brass models. No shelf queens, these locomotives are also available with an ESU LokSound […]
Accurail HO scale 36-foot Fowler boxcar The Accurail HO scale Fowler boxcar kit includes an enhanced underframe with KC brake detail. Price: $17.98 Manufacturer Accurail Inc. P.O. Box 278 Elburn, IL 60119 www.accurail.com Era: 1910s to 1950s Road names: Soo Line; Baltimore & Ohio; Bangor & Aroostook; Canadian National; Canadian Pacific; Chicago Great Western; Erie; […]
Walthers HO scale Plymouth ML-8 with ESU LokPilot DCC Chassis with cab and hood removed It wasn’t long ago that we reviewed the Plymouth ML-8 locomotive from WalthersMainline (June 2017). But Walthers has reissued the switcher equipped with an ESU LokPilot Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder, so we put this version through its paces. The […]
O GAUGE PREMIER LINE BALDWIN VO-1000 SWITCHER FROM MTH Price: $459.95 (No. 20-20786-1) Min Curve: O-31 Low speed: 4.9 smph High speed: 77.4 smph Drawbar pull: 1 lb., 3 oz. Features: Two can-style motors, ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system, smoke unit, coil couplers Current production road names: Long Island RR, Milwaukee Road, Santa Fe, […]
O GAUGE JUST-PLUG ILLUMINATED CARS Price: $49.99 each (Nos. JP5973 police car or JP5978 blue coupe) Features: O scale detailing, detailed interiors, illuminating lights, a variety of vehicles are available Order online at www.WoodlandScenics.com Some O gauge layouts have vehicles crammed in every nook and cranny, while others have streets so empty you’d think a […]
O GAUGE STARBUCKS STORE FROM MENARDS Price: $79.99 (No. 279-4325) Features: Coffee shop with three backlit signs, interior lighting, external chairs, tables, and figures; interior store detailing and figures. Order online at www.Menards.com/Trains O gauge layout owners seem to fall into three general groups. The first is roughly “anything goes,” which is any type of […]
Bachmann HO Sound Value Baldwin 2-8-0 Removing the plastic tender shell reveals the Sound Value decoder and speaker. A wiring harness connects the decoder to the locomotive’s electronics. The Bachmann locomotive includes working front and rear knuckle couplers. Details include well-defined rivet seams, a coal load, and a separately applied tender ladder. A steam-era freight […]
PIKO America SmartControl WiFi DCC system Touchscreen train control via a Smartphone app over a WiFi connection has been around for several years now. What I miss when using my smartphone as a throttle, though, is that my smartphone isn’t a throttle. PIKO America has taken the app-control concept to the next level with its […]
Walthers N scale EMD SW1200 diesel Electro-Motive Division’s SW1200 was its last switcher powered by the 567-series diesel engine, and Walthers has re-released the model in N scale in seven paint schemes. The direct-current (DC) models are equipped with Micro-Trains couplers and are upgraded to accept Digitrax or Train Control Systems Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
Kato HO scale Amtrak Superliner II transition sleeper Price: $90 Manufacturer Kato USA Inc. 100 Remington Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 www.katousa.com Era: 2002 to present (as decorated) Road name: Amtrak (Phase 6 [also known as phase 4b] paint scheme). Comments: Kato has released a new run of HO scale Amtrak Superliner II passenger equipment, including […]
