BLMA Models HO scale 64-foot refrigerator car A correctly proportioned model of a modern mechanical refrigerator car is now available from BLMA Models. The injection-molded plastic car features separately applied wire, plastic, and etched-metal details. The prototype cars began rolling out of the TrinityRail factory in late 2003. These excess-height cars, designated Plate F, can […]
Aztec Manufacturing TM3110S milled Kato E8 from and Digitrax SDN144KOA sound decoder The recently released batch of Kato Electro-Motive Division E8 passenger diesels in N scale are good-looking, smooth running models. [For a review, see the July 2011 Model Railroader. – Ed.] If you’re interested in adding Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound to your […]
Athearn Trains HO scale PC&F 50-foot boxcar with Landis doors Price: $37.98 ManufacturerAthearn Trains2883 E. Spring St., Suite 100Long Beach, CA 90806athearn.com Road names: St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) and Southern Pacific (four road numbers each with COTS, four without). Also available as an undecorated kit. Era: 1970 to 1990s Comments: Athearn has previously offered […]
Wm. K. Walthers Inc. HO scale locomotive crane A revised version of the Walthers HO scale American locomotive crane is now available ready-to-run. It comes assembled with an upgraded DC mechanism. The prototype for this diesel-electric crane dates to the mid-1950s. These 25- to 30-ton capacity locomotive cranes are self-propelled and capable of moving several […]
Kato USA N scale Penn Central’s “rainbow fleet” passenger cars Not too long ago, if a modeler was into N scale and the short-lived Penn Central’s passenger fleet, he would have some painting and decaling projects ahead. Now Kato has released its great-running GG1 electric locomotive and some passenger cars in accurate PC paint schemes. […]
Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale EMD GP40-2(W) Before the wide-nosed “safety cab” became practically a standard feature on North American locomotives, it was known as the “Canadian cab” due to its development north of the border. One of the earliest Electro-Motive Division locomotives to use that cab, the four-axle GP40-2(W), is now offered in […]
ExactRail HO scale depressed-center flatcar This modern depressed-center flatcar is a recent release from ExactRail that follows the overall lines of prototype cars built by General Steel Industries (GSI) in the 1970s and 1980s. The prototypes featured one-piece, cast-steel underframes that could carry tall loads because the carbody deck is only 23″ above the rails. […]
Kato N scale General Electric U30C diesel locomotive It’s been 20 years since Kato last offered an N scale model of General Electric’s six-axle U30C hood units, and it’s been worth the wait. The new model, retooled under the hood to make it friendlier to Digital Command Control, is a sharp-looking and smooth-performing engine. Keep […]
MTH HO scale train set Many model railroaders get started in the hobby with a train set. A loop of track, power pack, a locomotive, and rolling stock will have a new model railroader running trains in a matter of minutes. MTH has taken its ready-to-run sets a step further by including its Digital Command […]
Walthers HO scale Meadowhead barn kit Price: $38.98 ManufacturerWm. K. Walthers Inc.P.O. Box 3039Milwaukee, WI 53201www.walthers.com Era: 1900 to present Comments: If you’re looking for a structure that you can assemble, paint, and weather in one evening, then you’ll want to check out the Walthers HO scale Meadowhead barn kit. The injection-molded plastic kit has […]
Athearn N scale Bombardier bi-level cars Price: Coach or cab car, $28.98; three-coach set, $84.98 ManufacturerAthearn Trains1600 Forbes Way, Suite 120Long Beach, CA 90810www.athearn.com Era: 1976 to present Road names: Northstar Commuter, Metrolink, New Mexico DOT (RailRunner), North County Transit District (Coaster), Trinity Rail Express, Utah Front RunnerN scale modelers have more options to model […]
Bachmann Trains HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotive A smooth dual-flywheel mechanism and a dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder highlight this new HO scale GP9 diesel from Bachmann. The four-axle locomotive model performed well during direct-current (DC) and DCC tests, and pulled a respectable number of freight cars on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy […]
