Kato HO scale SD40-2 diesel locomotive All the detail parts, including grab irons and windshield wipers, are factory applied on the Kato HO scale mid-production SD40-2. The Kato SD40-2 features well-defined molded detail are prototypically placed detail parts. The Kato mid-production Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 features notable enhancements over the early-production SD40-2 reviewed in our August […]
Second Generation EMD Sound Card for Kato Sound Box Price: $29.99 Comments: The Kato Sound Box is an analog sound controller that connects to a direct-current (DC) power pack and works with any manufacturer’s locomotives, since the sound plays through the device. The Sound Box uses plug-in cartridges, called Sound Cards, that have sound files […]
Price: $79 Manufacturer Bachmann Trains 1400 E. Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 www.bachmanntrains.com Era: 1930s to 1980 Comments: Looking to add a night train to your N scale passenger fleet? Bachmann Trains has released a ready-to-run N scale heavyweight coach with factory-installed overhead interior lighting. The model is an N scale version of the HO […]
Walthers HO Gunderson rebuilt 40-foot all-purpose well car Price: $39.98 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 www.walthers.com Road names: TTX (DTTX reporting marks with and without “Forward Thinking” slogan under modern TTX logo) and Northwestern Oklahoma (two road numbers). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Era: 2008 to present […]
Railroad Line Models HO scale Pete’s Garage kit The kit contains laser-cut parts in many materials: matboard, plastic, wood, cardboard, and paper. The Railroad Line Models kit is available in O, S, HO, and N scales. Pete’s Garage, one of the initial offerings from Railroad Line Models, is an easy-to-assemble kit that would fit on […]
The Walthers Mainline HO scale Plymouth ML-8 switcher is available with a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) motor decoder with a CurrentKeeper capacitor cluster. Small switchers such as the Plymouth ML-8 toiled away for decades at various trackside industries and railroad shops. Walthers is releasing an HO scale model of a Plymouth ML-8, and I […]
MTH HO scale DM&IR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone The MTH HO scale DM&IR Yellowstone features many separately applied detail parts. One of the last giants of the steam era, a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-8-4 “Yellowstone,” comes to life in HO scale complete with sound, smoke, and pulling power that does its prototype proud. The MTH […]
Used in speakers, smartphones, and many other devices, Bluetooth is a technology that allows electronic devices to wirelessly communicate with one another. BlueRail Trains uses Bluetooth technology to allow model railroaders to control trains using an Android or Apple iOS smartphone or tablet. I reviewed a BlueRail-equipped Bachmann HO scale E-Z App Alco RS-3 in […]
ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders Both ends of the ScaleTrains.com tenders feature independently controlled lights. Union Pacific’s steam excursion program began almost as soon as the use of regular steam power ceased on the railroad in 1960. Over the years, the UP has operated FEF-3 4-8-4 no. 844 and Challenger 4-6-6-4 no. 3985 in […]
BLI N scale PRR class M1b 4-8-2 steam locomotive Broadway Limited Imports N scale Pennsylvania RR class M1a 4-8-2 steam locomotive Detailed and smooth-running steam locomotives are cause for celebration among N scalers. They’re even more so when the engines in question feature onboard Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound. That’s the case with the […]
Atlas HO scale Dash 8-40BW In August 2001, then-associate editor Jim Hediger lauded the HO scale Atlas Dash 8-40B for its performance and detail. With this 2016 release, the locomotive is available with a dual-mode ESU LokSound Select decoder, so it sounds as prototypical as it looks on both Digital Command Control (DCC) and direct-current […]
Menards HO scale Dakota Cabinet Works Price: Dakota Cabinet Works, $69.99; Hobby Shop, $59.99 Manufacturer Menard Inc. 5101 Menard Dr. Eau Claire, WI 54703 www.menards.com Era: 1940s to present Comments: Menards, a Midwestern home-improvement store chain that’s seen success with its line of O scale model railroad cars and structures, is taking on the HO […]
