Electro-Motive Division F3A and B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Denver & Rio Grande (passenger scheme). Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels, separately applied prototype-specific details, and magnetic knuckle couplers. A unit: Direct-current model, $169.98; with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound decoder, $269.98. A-B set: DC models, $309.98; with DCC and sound, $489.98. November 2012. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division GP9 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Illinois Central (black) and Soo Line (red and white). Illinois Central offered with four 36” or two 48” rooftop fans, two road numbers per style. Soo Line units offered with and without rooftop air tanks, four road numbers. Etched-metal radiator fan grills, prototype-specific details, and McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current model, $189.98; with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound decoder, $289.98. November 2012. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division SW8 diesel locomotive. New paint scheme: Canadian National (black with maple leaf herald). Two road numbers available. Directional headlights, prototype-specific details, and Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current model, $169.98; with QSI Digital Command Control sound decoder, $259.98. April 2012. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
HO scale freight cars
TTX class F89F 89-foot flatcar. Trailer Train (oxide red or yellow). Six car numbers each. Raised and lowered hitches, wire brake piping, and body-mounted McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. $39.98. November 2012. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Pullman-Standard 86-foot Hy-Cube four-door boxcar. New paint schemes: Chicago & North Western, Grand Trunk Western, Norfolk Southern, and St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). Two car numbers each. Etched-metal crossover platforms, separately applied details, and Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers. $34.98. November 2012. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Thrall 65-foot mill gondola. New road numbers: Canadian National, Chicago & North Western, Denver & Rio Grande & Western, and Southern Pacific. Factory-installed grab irons, metal wheelsets, and Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers. $31.98. November 2012. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
HO scale passenger cars
Budd Hi-Level cars. Amtrak (phase 1 or 2 schemes). 68-seat step down coach, baggage-dormitory transition, 72-seat coach, diner, sky lounge. All cars except baggage-dormitory transition available with or without lighting. Factory-installed grab irons, tinted window glazing, and Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers. Without lighting, $79.98; with, $89.98. November 2012-January 2013. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Pennsylvania RR class B60b baggage car. Norfolk & Western and Pennsylvania RR (prewar, October 1952 to February 1954, or February 1954 to September 1962 schemes). Factory-installed grab irons, messenger or non-messenger roof as appropriate, and Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers. $64.98. December 2012. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770 , www.walthers.com
HO scale structures
Grocery distributor. Injection-molded plastic kit with angled corner, second-story office, and elevated docks. $39.98. May 2012. Cornerstone series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Newsstands. Injection-molded plastic kit with parts for two stands. Includes newspaper, magazine, and candy displays and signs. $19.98. May 2012. Cornerstone series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
1953 Ford Courier. Meadow Gold Diary, Rexall Drugs, and RCA television repair. Detailed interior, clear window glazing, and rolling vinyl tires. $14. CMW Holdings Ltd./Classic Metal Works, 419-842-8114, www.classicmetalworks.com
N scale locomotives
4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive. Union Pacific. Available with smoke deflectors (one road number), oil tender (one number) or coal tender (three numbers). Dual-mode SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound decoder. $499.98. January 2013. Ready-to-run. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
White Tower restaurant. Rapid-prototype kit with one-piece exterior and separate detailed interior. Available as stand-alone structure or left- or right-hand entrance. $35 each. Eastern Seaboard Models Corp., www.esmc.com
Union Switch & Signal A-5 Electropneumatic centerpoint switch machine and CP valve. Right-hand version. $10. Irish Tracklayer, 559-435-0874, www.irishtracklayer.com
Decals
Assorted decals. Tropicana orange insulated boxcars or white TRINCool refrigerator cars. HO scale, $7. N scale, $5.75. Microscale Industries, 714-593-1422, www.microscale.com
As an intermediate modeler, I find your how to articles very easy to follow and quite helpful.
This issue on the surface is definitely not for N scalers. Maybe next time?