Product news
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of April 29, 2021.
HO scale freight cars
Association of American Railroads 50-ton two-bay offset-side hopper. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (1948 factory-new scheme). One road number. Injection-molded plastic with lump-egg coal load; separate, factory-applied detail parts; self-centering solid-bearing trucks with metal wheels; and Kadee scale couplers. $42.95. Kadee Quality Products Co., 541-826-3883, kadee.com
Milwaukee, Racine & Troy Pullman-Standard 4,750-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper. One road number. Limited-run injection-molded plastic kit (era: October 1979+) with one-piece body; separate hatch cover casting and running board ends; free-standing end cages with modeler-installed brake wheel, chain fulcrum, end braces, and crossover platforms; slope sheets; brake equipment; one-piece underbody with separate center sill sections, outlet gates, bolster plates, and draft-gear box covers; roller-bearing trucks with Delrin engineering plastic wheelsets; Accumate couplers; screws; and steel weight. $27.99. Produced by Accurail exclusively for the Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
HO scale structures
FedEx freight building. Factory-assembled and decorated model with 15 light-emitting-diode lights, FedEx worker, three packages, flagpole, three bushes, simulated tarpaper roof, two air conditioner units, and Jack the German shepherd. Measures 6-5/8” x 3-5/16” x 3-1/16”. Lighting requires 4.5V power source (sold separately). $49.99. Menards, menards.com/trains
HO scale details and accessories
48-foot intermodal containers. BNSF Ry. (white with blue-and-green circle cross herald), Con-Quest (white, red, and blue), CSX Intermodal (white and blue), ITEL (white, blue, and red), The Rail-Bridge Corp. (white and blue), and XTRA (white, red, and yellow with “ContainerTrain” slogan). Two three-packs per scheme. Stackable injection-molded plastic models. Three-pack, $44.99. April 2022. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
N scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel locomotive. Boston & Maine (red and black), Chicago Great Western (maroon, red, and gold), Chicago & North Western (yellow and green), Erie Lackawanna (gray, maroon, and yellow), Milwaukee Road (orange and black), Pennsylvania RR (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel), Southern Pacific (scarlet and gray), and Union Pacific (Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray with “Road of the Streamliners” slogan). Two numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder with Rolling Thunder; die-cast metal body and chassis; and separate, factory-applied handrails, grab irons, smokestacks, horn, and bell. $229.99. June 2021. Broadway Limited Imports, broadway-limited.com
N scale details and accessories
48-foot intermodal containers. Con-Quest (white, red, and blue), BNSF Ry. (white with blue-and-green circle cross herald), CSX Intermodal (white and blue), ITEL (white, blue, and red), The Rail-Bridge Corp. (white and blue), and XTRA (white, red, and yellow with “ContainerTrain” slogan). Two three-packs per scheme. Stackable injection-molded plastic models. Three-pack, $44.99. April 2022. Athearn N. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
O scale details and accessories
1950s-1960s gas pumps. 1:43.5 scale. Laser-cut cardboard kit with nozzles, hoses, and volumetric display. Each pump measures .78” x .39” x 1.57”. Platform not included. Two-pack, $17.92. Price may vary based on exchange rate. Minifer, minifer.fr/en
Z scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division E7A diesel locomotive. Chicago & North Western. Two road numbers. Direct-current model with 7mm motor, dual flywheels, metal steps, directional light-emitting-diode lighting, optional front truck with mounted coupler, blackened metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Tools
Assorted machines squares. 4” ($19.99), 6” ($24.99), 8” ($29.99), and 10” ($34.99). Carbon steel construction with inch and metric measurements. Produced by Excel Blades Corp., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Snap blade knives. K10 9mm ($3.49) and K13 18mm ($3.99). Both knives have a plastic handle, push lock, and replaceable blades (replacement blades sold separately). 9mm knife has 13 usable points and is ideal for cutting light cardboard, cork roadbed, decal film, and foam board. 18mm knife has 8 usable points and can be used to cut heavy cardboard, sheet styrene, canvas, cork, foam board, and wood. Produced by Excel Blades Corp., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Quick release speed clamp. Lever-action clamp with 4” wide, 1-1/4” deep jaw opening. Features lock release button for opening clamp and soft plastic tips. Tool head can be positioned on opposite end to convert the tool into an expanding/stretching clamp. $7.99. Produced by Excel Blades Corp., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Club offerings
Chicago & North Western (ex-Rock Island) 40-foot boxcars. Accurail HO scale kits custom-decorated for the Chicago & North Western Historical Society. Three car numbers, each with a slightly different style of lettering representing the various styles used by the C&NW during the renumbering of Rock Island equipment. Kits include solid-bearing trucks, plastic wheelsets, and Accumate couplers. Single car, $32; three-pack, $85 (prices include postage to U.S. addresses). Illinois residents please include 9-1/2 percent sales tax. CNWHS, P.O. Box 1068, North Riverside, IL 60546; cnwhs.org
