The Motive Power Industries (MPI) MP36PH-3C, a modern four-axle commuter diesel locomotive, is now available from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The HO scale Master Line model, based on True Line Trains tooling, features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, light-emitting-diode lighting, and metal knuckle couplers. The prototype Our sample is decorated as Metra 403, part […]
The General Electric Dash 8-40CM diesel locomotive is back in the Rapido Trains product lineup. The redesigned six-axle road locomotive features a newly tooled fuel tank, cab interior, and trucks; railroad-specific details; and full underbody details. Prototype history General Electric (GE) produced the Dash 8-40CM from February 1990 through March 1994. During the course of […]
The FP45 diesel was a passenger locomotive first produced in 1967 at the request of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Only 14 units were made, nine for AT&SF and five for the Milwaukee Road. By the early 1980s, all but one were out of service or scrapped. Six survive in museums today. The first […]
An American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot capacity two-bay Center Flow covered hopper is now part of Athearn’s Genesis series. The N scale model, which we last reviewed in the June 2010 issue, still features injection-molded plastic construction, body-mounted couplers, and metal wheelsets. Among the product upgrades are rubber train line hoses; separate, factory-applied uncoupling levers; […]
A Canadian National GP9RM is now available in HO scale from Rapido Trains. The four-axle, chopped-nose diesel locomotive features a heavy die-cast metal frame, traction motor details on the gearbox, and prototype-specific details. Prototype history From 1981 to 1994, CN rebuilt its fleet of General Motors Diesel Ltd. GP9 locomotives for various duties at its […]
USA Track LLC has been in business for 15 years, manufacturing Standard gauge track. Owners Kirk Lindvig and Chris Bogus offer four diameters of curve track and four lengths of straight track. All components of USA Track are made in the U.S. Classic Toy Trains received four pieces of the Super Standard gauge track. It’s […]
An International Car Co. (ICC) wide-cupola caboose is the latest model to join the ScaleTrains S-Helper Service product range. The S scale model features an injection-molded plastic body and features wire handrails and grab irons, factory-installed and painted crew figures, and illuminated light-emitting-diode marker lights. Prototype history The sample we received is decorated as Reading […]
One of the great things about having a model railroad is that you can populate it with things that evoke happy memories. Menards has tapped into this with buildings that touch both the nuts and bolts of railroading (manufacturing firms, oil wells, and power plants), and the lighter side as well with hobby shops, cow […]
A Northern Pacific HO scale 50-foot XM double-door boxcar is the latest release from Moloco Trains. The ready-to-run model features car-number-specific details, Stanray R3-4 ends, and 8-rung ladders on the sides and ends. A railroad-built car The Moloco model is based on full-size cars built at NP’s Brainerd, Minn., shops between 1956 and 1959. During […]
In July of 2024, Lionel Trains’ long-awaited Base3 arrived in stores, homes, and our own Firecrown office here in Brookfield, Wis. This new command control takes all of the manufacturer’s previous systems in a backwards-compatible manner and centralizes them into one package. Out of this sole setup, you can control Lionel Legacy, TMCC, LionChief, LionChief+, […]
A 60-foot intermodal container flatcar has joined Jacksonville Terminal Co.’s growing N scale freight car lineup. The newly tooled car features Very Real Knuckle (VRK) couplers and insulated metal wheelsets. Prototype history The sample we received is decorated as Trailer Train car VTTX 91927. The prototype VTTX cars were a mix of Pullman-Standard 60-foot bulkhead […]
An International Car Co. (ICC) wide-cupola caboose is the latest model to join the ScaleTrains S-Helper Service product range. The S gauge model has an injection-molded plastic body and features wire handrails and grab irons, factory-installed and painted crew figures, and illuminated light-emitting-diode marker lights. Prototype history The sample we received is decorated as Reading […]
