The model features separate handrails and other detail parts. For the first time in plastic an accurate, roadname- and roadnumber-specific version of a Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) RS-18 is available as a ready-to-run, HO scale plastic model. The Canadian road switcher is available with a factory-installed LokSound 5 dual-mode decoder, featuring sound files recorded from […]
ScaleTrains.com HO scale GE C39-8 diesel An HO scale General Electric C39-8 diesel-electric locomotive gets the ScaleTrains.com Rivet Counter treatment. As with the N scale version that I reviewed in the August 2019 issue, this HO scale locomotive features roadname- and road number-specific detail. Our review sample also came equipped with an ESU LokSound V.5 decoder […]
MRC Throttlepack 9950 The green plug on the back of the cabinet features terminals for track power and accessories. The Throttlepack 9950 isn’t a new face in the Model Rectifier Corp. power pack lineup. However, the train controller, designed for N, HO, O, and G scales, now has the ability to operate Digital Command Control […]
Walthers 40-foot HO single-sheathed boxcar Modelers of mid-20th century railroading have a new piece of rolling stock to add to their fleets in the Walthers Mainline 40-foot American Railroad Association (ARA) standard single-sheathed boxcar. This ready-to-run car is modernized with AB brakes and has metal ends and doors. An adaptable standard. The 1923 ARA XM-1 […]
Atlas Model Railroad Co. hopes to recruit a new generation of hobbyists into model railroading with its new Trainkids line. The first offering under this new brand is a passenger train set inspired by Amtrak’s high-speed Northeast Corridor train, the Acela Express. The set comes with a battery-powered locomotive/first-class car set, two more passenger cars, […]
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Athearn HO EMD SD45T-2 tunnel motor The body shell can be lifted off after removing the draft gear boxes and two screws. Dual speakers situated above the intake grills make for powerful sound. Athearn Trains is launching an HO scale model of Electro-Motive Division’s SD45T-2 Tunnel Motor. Though it’s part of the manufacturer’s Ready-to-Roll line, […]
WalthersMainline HO National Steel Car 5150 covered hopper A National Steel Car 5,150-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay covered hopper has been added to the WalthersMainline HO scale product range. The newly tooled injection-molded plastic model features a one-piece body, a trough-style hatch cover, and 100-ton trucks. Our sample is decorated as Union Pacific no. 90687, a class CH-100-121 […]
Fleischmann/Roco Z21 Booster and Light Booster In addition to B Bus and track outputs, the fully featured Z21 booster also includes CAN and CDE outputs. The Z-Link socket is for future system expansion. As a layout gets larger, setting up short-circuit protected power districts becomes more important. These Digital Command Control (DCC) boosters from Fleischmann/Roco […]
Menards exclusive Rocket Freight train set is led by a Bachmann HO scale GP40-2R diesel. Many of us got our start in the hobby with a train set like the new Bachmann HO scale Rocket Freight set, with its sturdy diesel locomotive, colorful cars, and oval of snap-together track. This set includes everything a new […]
Athearn HO scale CN GP9 diesel Our review sample included a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 decoder mounted above the Athearn Genesis mechanism. The model also features all-wheel drive and pickup. Both of our CN review samples feature roadname- and roadnumber-specfic details and accurate paint schemes. Superdetailed Electro-Motive GP9 diesel locomotives return to the Athearn Genesis series in […]
RailSmith N scale Tippecanoe Rapids sleeper The partitions and seating arrangements match prototype plans. Pennsylvania RR N scale modelers can now add an accurate re-creation of Pullman-Standard (PS) sleeper Tippecanoe Rapids to their passenger car rosters thanks to Lowell Smith’s Signature Series of RailSmith cars. The prototype. As part of its post-World War II modernization […]
