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 […]
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 […]
Railroad Cranes, Vol. 1 Price: $35 Publisher: SilverLake Images LLC, available from Ron’s Books, P.O. Box 714, Harrison, NY 10528; 914-967-7541; ronsbooks.com Railroad Cranes, Vol. 1 features: 150-page softcover book featuring reproduction manufacturer catalogs. Burro Cranes Model 15: Includes photos, drawings, specifications, and components. Byers Shovels and Cranes: Covers many models of cranes with information on […]
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 […]
HO scale intercity bus Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.99 Era: 1940s to 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Features: Rubber tires Windshield wipers Interior detail Available: September 2023 Paint schemes: Pacific Electric (red and orange with Long Beach destination board), band on tour (green and […]
The 2022 National Garden Railway Convention saw a grandfather and grandson take home prizes in a modeling contest. Here’s a report from the former: I attended the 2022 National Garden Railway Convention in Denver in June with my son and his family. Both me and my grandson entered models in the convention’s contest this year. […]
Model railroading is a multi-faceted hobby What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first true model train piece was an Athearn Chessie System GP35. Oversized and clunky, that was the acceptable standard back in the early 1980s, much as model railroading then was less about prototype practice and operation than the trains themselves. […]
Actor Michael Gross shares hobby insights | Yes, that @actormichaelgross is engaged to present a keynote address at the Gateway 2022 National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) convention banquet on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Prior to this St. Louis, Mo., event, Michael graciously took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Eric White, Editor […]
Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $239.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $339.99. Era: 1970s to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Electro-Motive Division SDP40F diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Celcon handrails Detailed fuel tank with […]
40-foot American Car & Foundry boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 (undecorated, $29.98) Era: 1960s to 1980s Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 40-foot American Car & Foundry boxcar features: Injection-molded plastic 10-panel body Tall ladders on the B (brake wheel) end Short ladders on the A […]
Knoxville Locomotive Works General Electric 25-ton diesel locomotive Scale: Large (1:24) Price: $449.99 Era: Modern Manufacturer: PIKO America, LLC, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego, CA 92120; piko-america.com Knoxville Locomotive Works 25-ton diesel locomotive features: R/C pocket remote with pre-programmed buttons to control speed, direction, horn, and whistle (remote includes CR2025 battery) Powered by […]
Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $869.99 Era: 1940s to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive features: Die-cast metal boiler, tender body, and chassis Synchronized puffing smoke with chuff sound […]
