What was your first train set (or locomotive)? Meet Dave Abeles: My first train set was the Tyco ‘Silver Streak’ set in HO scale (1984). I had loved trains since before I could walk or talk. In the late 1970s, my parents told stories of me always asking for trains and standing for hours anywhere […]
Amtrak California passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99. Four-pack with NCE decoder with lighting functions, $579.99; dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $649.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Cab coaches […]
Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: With dual-mode NCE decoder with lighting functions, $149.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $199.99 Era: mid-2000s+ Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822, 800-338-4639, athearn.com Amtrak California II (Surfliner) passenger car features: All-wheel electrical pickup Business class cars feature upper and lower service areas Cafe cars have […]
Nippon Sharyo Metra commuter cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Type 8500 cab car, $139.95; Type 6000 trailer, $119.95; and three-pack (cab car and two trailers), $379.85 Era: Present day Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com Nippon Sharyo Metra commuter car features: 21-pin plug for optional Digital Command Control operation Illuminated, directional […]
AML large scale three-bay hopper Scale: Large (1:29) Price: $160 Manufacturer: Accucraft AML, livesteamstation.com Large scale three-bay hopper features: Die-cast trucks with metal wheels Road Names: CSX (cream); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF; Burlington Northern (Cascade Green); Canadian National (red); Conrail; and Union Pacific. Four road numbers per scheme. Other exclusive schemes available through […]
Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with speaker and ditch lights, $229.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $339.95. Add $10 for MBTA models. Era: Present day Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Co., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com Motive Power Industries MP36PH-3C diesel locomotive features: Die-cast metal underframe Ditch lights […]
Meet ClassOneModelWorks.com A new face is joining the model railroad marketplace. ClassOneModelWorks.com., based in Kansas City, Mo., is led by president and chief executive officer Mike Brusky and chief operating officer Stephen Priest. The company plans to introduce several HO scale locomotives and freight cars in the coming months. A brief history Brusky founded and […]
American Model Supply narrow gauge gondola Scale: Large (1:20.3) Price: $160 Era: early 1920s to late 1960s Manufacturer: Accucraft AMS, livesteamstation.com Denver & Rio Grande Western High Side Gondola features: Die-cast trucks and metal wheels Detailed underbody Working couplers Brass handrails Ladders & corner steps Plastic body, brass casting News & Products is a regular feature […]
Trainkids glow in the dark passenger train set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $109.95, train set; $59.95, locomotive and car add-on kit; $17.95, passenger car add-on; $24.95, figure-8 expansion set; $7.95, magic re-railer two-pack; $12.95, 9” straight section six-pack; $12.95, 18” radius curve six-pack; $19.95, left- and right-hand switch set; $11.95, right-hand switch; $11.95, left-hand switch […]
Fox Valley Models ES44 GEVO Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current model, $119.99; with dual-mode ESU Digital Command Control sound decoder, $219.99 Era: Varies on paint scheme Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, scaletrains.com Fox Valley Models ES44 GEVO features: Wire grab irons 3-hose MU clusters Uncoupling levers Windshield wipers Sunshades Brake wheel Paint schemes: BNSF (25th Anniversary scheme with […]
Greenbrier-Gunderson Multi-Max Autorack Scale: N (1:160) Price: $46.99, single car; 6-11 cars, $44.99 each; or 12+ cars, $41.99 each Era: 2014 to present Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, scaletrains.com Greenbrier-Gunderson Multi-Max Autorack features: Multiple road numbers Four body types: early, intermediate, late, and current Factory-applied metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, and trainline hoses ASF low deck swing […]
20-foot Cat Rental Store containers Scale: N (1:160) Price: Two-pack, $29.65 Era: Present day Manufacturer: Jacksonville Terminal Co., jtcmodeltrains.com 20-foot Cat Rental Store containers features: Injection-molded plastic Prototype-specific door styles Inter-box connecting pins Magnetic connection system (one magnet on bottom and metal plate on top) Corrugated side Paint schemes: Cat Rental Store series (first five […]
