Welcome to the August 2025 Cody’s Office! Perhaps we should have called this the Consolidation episode as we’re on program number 2-8-0.
This month the show starts with an exciting lineup of products. First up is the HO scale Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 from Rapido Trains. Features on the four-axle road unit include an injection-molded plastic body, road-name-specific details, illuminated number boxes, green and white class lights, underbody piping and conduits, and Macdonald-Cartier metal couplers.
Then we’ll take a look at the newly-tooled N scale Union Tank Car Co. 13,000-gallon acid tank car from Athearn Trains. The model, part of the manufacturer’s Genesis line, has an etched, stainless steel operating platform; formed wire grab irons; 36” machined metal wheelsets; and body-mounted McHenry plastic double-shelf couplers.
We’ll wrap up the product section with a look at Amtrak’s History Through Its Equipment by Brian Solomon. The 224-page book, published by Firecrown Media, traces the evolution of Amtrak’s rolling stock, from its humble beginnings with worn-out “Heritage Fleet” passenger cars and aging diesel locomotives, to the cutting-edge Acela trains and next-generation Siemens equipment now redefining American rail travel.
The modeling tip this month involves restoring an Ives train set. Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer joins Cody to share tips on repairing, painting, and lettering vintage model trains.
It wouldn’t be Cody’s Office without viewer mail. Topics covered in the August 2025 episode include N scale couplers, painted rails in Italy, cast-iron freight car wheels, and tips for removing factory-printed lettering on locomotives and freight cars.
Do you have questions you’d like us to consider for a future episode of Cody’s Office? You may leave them in the comments field below or contact us via e-mail at asktrains@trains.com.
