HERITAGE IN TWO SIZES: MTH Electric Trains’ salute to the Norfolk Southern Heritage paint schemes is well under way, with examples of several road names available in both the RailKing and Premier product lines. Shown on the left is the no. 30-20136-1 RailKing Illinois Terminal SD70ACe. On the right is the no. 20-20273-1 Premier Wabash SD70ACe. Both O gauge models have two can-style motors, smoke units, coil couplers, and the ProtoSound 3.0 sound and command system. The RailKing version is 17 inches long, requires O-31 curves, and is priced at $329.95. The Premier line model is 18½ inches long, requires O-42 curves, and sells for $459.95. For more information visit your local MTH retailer or go to www.mthtrains.com.
RR IN A BOX FOR FASTRACK: The latest set of patterns from Railroad in a Box is the no. L-600 series using Lionel FasTrack geometry. Plans are mounted to foam core (supplied by the customer), cut along pre-existing lines, and assembled to build a basic structure. No wood or woodworking tools are required, and the modular construction allows for nesting and easy storage. The patterns come with a 60-minute DVD and 72-page illustrated handbook that has eight track plans and some creative scenic techniques. The L-600 series uses O-36 curves (all the track from a Lionel train set), O-31 for the branch lines, and O-48 S curves. Shown is the no. L-605 (A, B, and C modules), which measures 3½ x 8 feet. The full-size patterns for this layout sell for $199.95 plus shipping. Go to www.rrinabox.com for details and ordering information, or write RRinaBOX, 309 N. Front St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.
THE VIEW FROM LOU: Lou Palumbo, one of the most visible and affable people in the toy train world, has released I Never Met A Train I Didn’t Like: The Art and Enjoyment of Collecting Toy Trains. The book is a collection of his “Views from the Underground” columns that have been running in Classic Toy Trains magazine since 2007. The 172-page softcover book, which reveals the humanity and passion that Lou – and many of us – feels for this wonderful hobby, costs $12.99 plus $3 shipping (Pa. residents add 6 percent sales tax). It is available exclusively through The Underground Railroad Shoppe, 1906 Wilmington Rd., New Castle, PA 16105, or call 724-652-4912.
HOT OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE: New custom-run boxcars from Menards are available now. Two of the limited-edition O gauge models (test samples shown) are a Chicago & North Western/Menards and a Milwaukee Road boxcar. Other road names include Burlington Northern, Northern Pacific, Pennsylvania RR, Santa Fe, Southern, and Wisconsin Central. The cars have die-cast metal trucks and couplers and cost $19.99 each plus shipping. They are for sale at www.menards.com (search collectibles), and shipping will commence in May. Keep your eyes open for more Menards toy train-related exclusives as Christmas approaches.
ZEPHYR QUEEN: The Atlas Burlington Route EMD F3 (Phase 2) diesels are in shops now. The O gauge model comes with two can-style motors, Lionel TrainMaster and improved RailSounds systems, Electric Railroad Co. Cruise Commander speed control, smoke unit, and coil couplers. The F3s are Lionel Legacy compatible, with 100 speed steps. The Burlington version is offered as two A units and two B units, in both powered and unpowered versions, all sold separately. The F3 has close coupling between diesel units; A units require O-36 curves, and B units require O-45 curves. Powered units cost $499.95 and unpowered units go for $219.95. Go to www.atlasrr.com for more information or see your local dealer.
LOGICAL FOR LIQUID LOADS: The Atlas 25,500-gallon Trinity tank car is rolling into a chemical plant or fuel depot near you. The O gauge model features fittings and components for specific prototypes and a detailed body with accurate body seams. The tank car measures 16½ inches coupler to coupler and requires O-54 curves. The current run includes an undecorated version as well as cars in Cargill Vegetable Oils, GATX BASF, GATX Rexene Corp., IBPX, and PLMX reporting marks, each selling for $94.95. See your Atlas retailer or go to www.atlasrr.com for more information.
GET YOUR ETHYL HERE: The latest O gauge structure from Bar Mills is the no. 0554 Shady Grove Texaco gas station. It has a small footprint (4 x 6 feet in O scale) and is complete with color signs and metal and resin castings. The kit, which includes a multi-page instructional booklet, is priced at $59.95 and is available from Bar Mills or through your local dealer. Go to http://www.barmillsmodels.com to see their complete line of O scale structures.
FIRE UP THE WAYBACK MACHINE: The Historical Guide to North American Railroads returns in a new and improved third edition. The 320-page book from Kalmbach Publishing Co. features histories of railroads and electric railways as diverse as the Akron, Canton & Youngstown; BNSF; Cincinnati & Lake Erie; East Broad Top; Nevada Northern; and Paducah & Louisville. The softcover book is formatted in 8¼ x 10¾ inches, features maps and full-color as well as black-and-white images, and costs $24.95. See your local hobby retailer or call 800-533-6644 to order.
HOT, BLACK, AND PATRIOTIC: The latest wood-sided refrigerator car in the Weaver Models O gauge lineup is a Boston & Maine model wood-side refrigerator car decorated for Thomas Wood & Co., a Boston coffee and tea importer. Touting Uncle Sam’s Coffee, the scale-detailed freight car features die-cast metal trucks and couplers, is available in three road numbers, and costs $47.95. See your local Weaver retailer or go to www.weavermodels.com for more information.
GO FISHING WITH LIONEL: Lionel fans interested in learning about the company’s postwar venture into another field can be lured to find the facts on their favorite line of fishing gear in Airex: A Collector’s Guide to Bache Brown & Airex/Lionel Fishing Tackle by Robert Halver. The 286-page softcover book, which sells for $49.95, outlines the history of Airex and extensively documents the products, accessories, and advertising of the line. Orders can be placed with the publisher: Whitefish Press, 4240 Minmor Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45217 or order online at www.whitefishpress.com.
THE ASTRONAUTS WISH THEY DRANK THIS INSTEAD: Add the 40-foot refrigerated steel boxcar to the list of gear keeping O scale beverages cold. The no. 47468 Tropicana model from Williams by Bachmann features O-27 operation and die-cast metal trucks and couplers – as well as brilliant graphics. The car costs $64.95 and is available through your local Williams by Bachmann retailer or online at www.bachmanntrains.com.
NICKEL PLATE RUNABOUT: The latest addition to Diecast Direct’s Railyard Truck Series is the no. AM-1955-NKP Nickel Plate Road 1955 Chevrolet pickup truck. This 1:43 scale die-cast metal truck is one of 70 trucks decorated for a diverse group of vintage railroads. The trucks cost $12.95 each. Go to www.diecastdirect.com to see the entire Railyard Series of O gauge compatible vehicles.
Now arriving on track 2: TM Books & Video has released Toy Train Revue No. 2. The DVD features visits to an assortment of layouts operating postwar, model and modern O and S gauge trains. The program is 60 minutes long and features a bonus 30 minutes of highlights from the orignal Toy Train Revue video series. Toy Train Revue nos. 1 and 2 cost $19.95 each. See your hobby retailer or online, go to www.tmbv.com to order.
The tools for layout plastering success: Woodland Scenics offers new material for plaster applications with the Shaper Sheet terrain system. Included are the nos. C1180 Shaper Sheet Plaster that bonds with Shaper Sheets and has a longer working time. The no. C1187 Plaster Mixing set is made of silicone and is collapsible for easy storage. A measuring cup, spatula, and mixing bowl are included. The no. C1186 Plaster Brush set also has two brushes for plaster applications. They have staggered bristles to hold more plaster. Two brushes are included (1⁄2- and 3-inches wide). For more information, go to www.woodlandscenics.com to see additional scenery products.
