Athearn N scale class Z-8 Challenger 4-6-6-4 Even in N scale the class Z-8 4-6-6-4 is an imposing steam locomotive. Like the Athearn Genesis HO Z-8 that I reviewed in the August 2017 Model Railroader, the accurately detailed N scale model is available with a factory installed SoundTraxx Tsunami dual-mode decoder. The model delivered smooth […]
WalthersProto HO scale Jordan Spreader Walthers has added a Jordan Spreader to its HO scale Proto series. But this isn’t an assembled version of the kit from the 1990s. No, this is a newly tooled model that has several features not found on the kit, including positionable wings and slopers, wire grab irons, and railroad-specific […]
Atlas Trainman HO scale GP39-2 with ESU LokSound New road names and factory-installed sound highlight the latest version of the Atlas Trainman Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP39-2. We first reviewed a direct-current (DC) version of the GP39-2 in the January 2010 issue. This latest release has a dual-mode ESU LokSound Select decoder that provides realistic sound […]
Athearn Ready-To-Roll 40-foot boxcar Price: $27.98 Manufacturer Athearn 1600 Forbes Way, Suite 120 Long Beach, CA 90810 www.athearn.com Era: 1970-1980, as decorated Road names: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago & Illinois Midland; Chicago & North Western; Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; Maine Central; Monon; Reading Co.; Southern Pacific; St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton […]
Bachmann N scale tight-bottom ore gondola Price: $33 Manufacturer Bachmann Industries 1400 E. Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 www.bachmanntrains.com Era: 1960s to 1990s Road names: Union Pacific; Pennsylvania (black or Tuscan Red) Canadian Pacific; Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range; Norfolk & Western Comments: An ore car that’s been offered in HO scale for decades is […]
Trains Magazine · Conversations with Brian Solomon, Episode 39 Railroad author and photographer Brian Solomon produces this exclusive biweekly podcast for Trains Magazine. You can catch his column monthly in the magazine or his daily railroad photography blog at briansolomon.com/trackingthelight. Conversations with Brian Solomon, Episode 38 We’re back on the railfan track this week with […]
ScaleTrains.com N scale GE ET44AC diesel The ScaleTrains.com N scale GEVO Tier 4 diesels include prototype-specific details. ScaleTrains.com brings the modern era to N scale with its General Electric (GE) Tier 4 GEVo diesel locomotives in several variations. The Rivet Counter line model features railroad-specific details, factory-installed and painted wire grab irons, and light-emitting-diode headlights […]
For the first time in plastic, ready-to- run models representing Union Pacific’s first two classes of 4-6-6-4 Challenger locomotives are available in HO scale from Athearn Trains. Part of the firm’s Genesis series, these steam locomotives feature prototype-specific detail that rivals brass models. No shelf queens, these locomotives are also available with an ESU LokSound […]
Accurail HO scale 36-foot Fowler boxcar The Accurail HO scale Fowler boxcar kit includes an enhanced underframe with KC brake detail. Price: $17.98 Manufacturer Accurail Inc. P.O. Box 278 Elburn, IL 60119 www.accurail.com Era: 1910s to 1950s Road names: Soo Line; Baltimore & Ohio; Bangor & Aroostook; Canadian National; Canadian Pacific; Chicago Great Western; Erie; […]
Walthers HO scale Plymouth ML-8 with ESU LokPilot DCC Chassis with cab and hood removed It wasn’t long ago that we reviewed the Plymouth ML-8 locomotive from WalthersMainline (June 2017). But Walthers has reissued the switcher equipped with an ESU LokPilot Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder, so we put this version through its paces. The […]
Name: Mark Lovelace Railroad Name: SDGRS San Diego County Fair 2018 Location: Del Mar, California Scale: 1:24 Theme: How Sweet it Is Description: This is a cab ride on the largest line of a 6-line railroad the San Diego Garden Railroad Society built for the 2018 San Diego County Fair. The video of the train […]
Bachmann HO Sound Value Baldwin 2-8-0 Removing the plastic tender shell reveals the Sound Value decoder and speaker. A wiring harness connects the decoder to the locomotive’s electronics. The Bachmann locomotive includes working front and rear knuckle couplers. Details include well-defined rivet seams, a coal load, and a separately applied tender ladder. A steam-era freight […]
