Consisting DCC locomotives to run together Q: Can you provide a simple procedure for pairing locomotives in a consist? One locomotive is pulling or pushing the one in front. – Stephen J. Szypula A: In Digital Command Control parlance, grouping locomotives so they all respond at once to the same throttle commands is called consisting. There […]
Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin DCC plug, $219.98; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 decoder, $319.98. Era: 1960s to 1980s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive features: Road-specific details See-through steps, radiator, and dynamic brake fans […]
August 2022 freight car kit announcements Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: See individual cars below Era: Varies depending on car type Manufacturer: Accurail, P.O. Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119; 630-365-1173; accurail.com Features: Injection-molded plastic kits Plastic wheelsets Solid-or roller-bearing trucks as appropriate Steel weight(s) Screws for trucks and draft-gear box covers Accumate couplers with modeler-installed trip […]
40-foot stockcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Single car, $34.99; four-pack, $121.99 Era: 1940s+ to 1970s (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Separate, factory-applied brake wheel Underbody brake system details Machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body mounted McHenry scale couplers Minimum radius: 18” Release […]
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 […]
Overland passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: Coach, $42.99; four-pack (Busines car, coach, combine, and Railway Post Office), $149.98 Era: 1890s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: End handrails and ladders Clear (sides) and green-tinted (clerestory) windows RP-25 contour machined metal wheels Body mounted McHenry scale couplers Minimum radius: […]
North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $37.99 Era: Mid-1960s through 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Metal grab irons and etched-metal crossover platforms Pullman-Standard or Superior plug doors Pullman-Standard or Stanray (Superior) roof as appropriate 70-ton trucks 33” machined […]
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 […]
2-8-0 steam locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $214.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Econami sound decoder, $284.99 Era: 1890s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com 2-8-0 steam locomotive features: See-through cab windows Separate, factory-applied wire-form details Smokestack Boiler-mounted bell Light-emitting diode lighting Heavy die-cast metal frame RP-25 contour wheels Minimum […]
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 […]
Blunami sound decoders Scale: HO and small S scale models Price: $169.95 Manufacturer: SoundTraxx, 141 Burnett Dr., Durango, CO 81301; 970-259-0690; soundtraxx.com SoundTraxx Blunami features: Dimensions: 41.9 x 18.8 x 6.8mm Six function outputs 2 Watt, 8-Ohm load audio amplifier 16 sound channels Maximum motor stall current of 2A Maximum function current of 100mA per […]
Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $359.99 Era: 2006+ to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive features: Flexible rubber trainline and m.u. hoses Etched-metal see-through steps Separate, […]
