Walthers N scale pole barn and sheds

One pole barn and three sheds

Pole barn and sheds kit Scale: N (1:160) Price: $27.98 Era: 1950s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Pole barn and sheds kit features: Includes pole barn (4-7/8” x 3-11/16” x 1-15/16”), large shed (1-3/4” x 1-3/8” x 15/16”), medium shed (1-1/2” x 1” x 7/8”), and small shed […]

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Flatbed trailer two-pack from Walthers

Two gray flatbed semi trailers

Flatbed trailers Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Two-pack, $29.98 Era: 1960s to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Flatbed trailers feature: Detailed front board Wood grain detail on deck Modeler-applied landing gear in raised and lowered positions with hand crank in transport position Taillights, placard, license plate, and […]

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Milwaukee, Racine & Troy American Car & Foundry 2,980-cubic-foot Center Flow covered hopper

Blue covered hopper

American Car & Foundry 2,980-cubic-foot Center Flow covered hopper Scale: N (1:160) Price: $44.98 Era: 1985+ Manufacturer: Produced by Micro-Trains Line Co., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Separate roof, end cages, and stirrup steps Factory-installed brake wheel and four round hatch covers Two-piece outlet gates Pin-mounted roller-bearing trucks Plastic wheelsets […]

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Early Amtrak electric locomotives

Two electric locomotives with red, white, and blue stripes at station

Amtrak electric locomotives went through a period of uncertainty early in the passenger railroad’s existence.     Not long after its inception, Amtrak began to focus on the fact that its non-Metroliner passenger service in the “Northeast Corridor” would require a replacement for the stalwart GG1 electrics that hauled its “conventional” trains over the electrified […]

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HO scale 40-foot smooth-side intermodal container from Athearn

White intermodal container

40-foot smooth-side intermodal container Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Three-pack, $41.99 Era: 1970s to 1990s Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Injection-molded plastic Stackable Release date: September 2023 Paint schemes: American Mail Line (off-white), American Presidential Line (gray with red logo), “K” Line (gray with red logo), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines […]

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FMC 5077 centered double-door boxcar from Athearn

Yellow boxcar

FMC 5077 centered double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $39.99 Era: Late 1970s+ to 1990s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Separate, factory-applied grab irons, end ladders, and brake wheel Photo-etched metal crossover platform 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body mounted McHenry […]

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Pullman-Standard 85-foot bi-level commuter cars from Walthers

Yellow and green bi-level passenger car

Pullman-Standard 85-foot bi-level commuter cars Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Standard, $89.98; lighted, $99.98 Era: Mid-1950s through mid-1980s Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Features: 33” turned metal RP-25 contour wheels Factory-installed grab irons Gallery car interior configuration Light-emitting diode interior lighting (lighted cars only) Proto-Max metal couplers […]

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American Z Line August 2022 diesel locomotive announcements

Black train locomotive with white background

American Z Line diesel locomotive announcements for August 2022 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Southern Ry. Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive, 1969 to 1980s. Union Pacific Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, January 1949 to early and mid-1960s. Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com Electro-Motive Division SW1500 features: AutoLatch couplers Prototype-specific details Directional light-emitting-diode […]

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Magor 4948 “Big John” covered hoppers from ExactRail

Three white train cars

Magor 4948 “Big John” covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59.99 Era: 1960s to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: ExactRail, 525 E. 1860 S., Provo, UT 84606; 866-945-1701; exactrail.com Features: Wire coupler uncoupling levers, grab irons, brake rods, and level hangers Narrow-style draft box featuring key detail, shank wedges, striker castings, and nut and […]

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North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar from Athearn

Yellow boxcar

North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar Scale: N (1:160) Price: $31.99 Era: Mid-1960s through 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar features: Etched metal stirrup steps Detailed, molded underframe Pullman-Standard or Superior plug doors Pullman-Standard or Stanray (Superior) roof […]

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Athearn HO scale General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive

Red and gray train locomotive with "BNSF" on the side

General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector and factory-installed speakers, $169.99 Era: 1990s to mid-2000s+ (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric C40-9W diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Road-name-specific horn, snow plow, rear grills, trucks, and antennas Factory […]

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40-foot intermodal chassis from Athearn

Blue, flat semi trailer

40-foot intermodal chassis Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Two-pack, $39.99 Era: 1980s to present Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 40-foot chassis features: Rubber tires Printed mud flaps Raised and lowered landing gear Release date: September 2023 Paint schemes: American Presidential Lines (blue), Flexi-Van (black), TRAC Intermodal (black), Genstar (orange), “K” Line […]

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