GIANT OF THE WEST: With Union Pacific busy restoring the actual 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” no. 4014 for a return to excursion service, the time is right for MTH to offer its RailKing Imperial line O gauge model of the gigantic articulated steam engine. The no. 30-1779-1 features Proto-Sound 3.0 sound and control, two motors, four traction tires, crew figures, cab interior light, painted backhead gauges, and a real coal load in the tender. Available in four road numbers (4005, 4012, 4014, and 4017), the locomotives are $799.95 each. See your MTH retailer or go to www.MTHtrains.com for more information.
FOUR SILOS OF FUN: The latest O gauge structure from Menards is the no. 279-4434 American Materials Plant from Menards is a towering rail-served business. The fully assembled structure stands 16½ inches high with four silos and a 6-inch tall run-through loading bay for hoppers or gondolas. The building’s base is 6 inches long and 5½ inches wide. The four silos are weathered gray with two American Materials illuminated signs. The signs are animated and depict an American flag waving in the breeze. Eight white security lights, four blinking aircraft warning lights, and two worker figures complete the scene. Peel-and-stick signs allow the user to label the silos for a wide range of materials including sand, gravel, coal, and grain. The accessory requires a Menards no. 279-4062 or no. 279-4050 4.5-volt power supply (sold separately). American Materials costs $79.99 plus shipping, or select free shipping to your local Menards store. Order online at www.Menards.com/Trains.
NEW O GAUGE BOXCARS: Menards has released a new series of boxcars. The cars are 11 inches long, run on O-27 and wider-diameter track, and sliding doors on both sides, detailed logos and markings, and metal trucks and couplers. The O gauge series includes the nos. 279-4530 Milwaukee Road and 279-4538 Morton Salt cars. The boxcars cost $19.99 each plus ship-ping, or select free shipping to your local Menards store. Order online at www.Menards.com/trains.
VIDEO SALUTES BEST OF TODAY: 21st Century Great Train Layouts Part 4 is the latest addition to the latest addition to the TM Books & Video library of toy train videos. This 60-minute DVD features the just-completed permanent layout of the Hi-rail Modular Train Club of Griffith, Ind. The video shows 18 different trains pulled by steam and diesel power passing through towns and gorgeous, realistic scenery. Other segments include the hi-rail empire created by the father and son team of Art and Jim Williams, and a surprise feature. The disc costs $14.99. See your hobby retailer or go to www.tmbv.com to order.
