Engines & rolling stock
LGB (Märklin) has released a digital “Factory Train” (#L29050) to commemorate LGB’s 50th anniversary in 2018. The prototype of the so-called Factory Train stood for many years in front of LGB’s plant in Nürnberg. The model replicates this train and consists of steam locomotive Nº 99 5606, with etched-metal builder plates separately applied. The locomotive has an mfx/DCC decoder with many digitally controlled functions and sounds, as well as a built-in smoke unit, with steam exhaust synchronized to the motion of the wheels. Operational sounds also work in analog operation. All rolling stock is prototypically painted. The two-axle gondola has hinged hatch covers and a separately applied brake wheel. The two, two-axle boxcars have prototypically arranged brake shoes on the inner surface of the wheels. Price: $1,099.99. Website: www.lgb.com
Piko America, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego CA 92120, has released a variety of new products. These include DB IV BR131 ‘Ludmilla’ diesel locomotive (#37582), which has directional LED lights and is ready for installation of a DCC decoder and sound. Price: $639.99. Also offered is an all-new powered rerailer (#35282). Locomotives may be placed upon it and, when power is applied, they will roll onto the track under their own power. Price: $109.99. For a complete listing of all new products, visit www.piko-america.com
Star Hobby, 1564 Whitehall Rd., Annapolis MD 21409, is offering a Spotted Cow boxcar, made by USA Trains, that commemorates the 2018 East Coast Large Scale Train Show. Four different road numbers are available. Price: $65 for one, $120 for two. Website: www.shopstarhobby.com
USA Trains, 662 Cross Street, Malden MA 02148, is releasing a series of heavyweight passenger cars in 1:29 scale for gauge-1 track. The cars include a baggage/club car, coach, diner, sleeper, and observation car. The cars will be available for the New York Central’s 20th Century Limited (Pullman green/black roof), Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway limited (Tuscan red/black roof), Union Pacific’s Overland Route (two-tone gray/black roof), Santa Fe Chief (Pullman green/black roof), Southern Pacific (Pullman green/black roof), and unlettered (Pullman green/black roof). Cars feature blackened-metal wheelsets, rubber diaphragms, diecast six-wheel trucks, interior details with figures, full underbody detail, and more. Prices: all cars except observation, $479.95 each; observation, $499.95. Customers can purchase single cars, five-car sets, eight-car sets, and 10-car sets for each road name. Additional figures are also available. Website: www.usatrains.com
Miscellaneous
Plans from Garden Railways. We recently learned of an error on our DVD archive set. The PDF for plan set #28A (Gull Pond Station) is missing! To correct this problem, we’re making sets #28A and #28B available to everyone, free of charge, on our website. Get yours here.
Jeff Young and Peter Foley have authored a book about the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway, a fascinating short line that linked two steamboat lines in Huntsville, Canada. The Portage Railway is a hardbound, 204-page volume has been extensively researched and profusely illustrated. The book is available from The Credit Valley Railway Company, 2900 Argentina Road, Unit 24, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 7X9, Canada. Price: $69.95 CN. Website: www.cvrco.com
