Alco RS-11 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Apache, California Western, Conrail (Penn Central patchout), Delaware & Hudson (large numbers), Nickel Plate Road (broad stripes), and Norfolk & Western (blue “half moon” scheme). New road numbers: Missouri Pacific (blue and gray) and Southern Pacific (gray and scarlet). Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Golden-white light-emitting-diode headlights, two painted crew figures, and die-cast metal underframe. Direct-current model, $159.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound Select sound decoder, $269.95. Third quarter 2018. Classic line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
Electro-Motive Division GP7u and GP9R diesel locomotives. GP7u: BNSF Ry. (Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe patchout) and Wisconsin & Southern (two road numbers). GP9R: Chicago & North Western. Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and detailed cab interior. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $199.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $289.98. January 2019. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, www.athearn.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe class BX-166 double-door boxcar. Late “Q” herald in two road numbers, Berwind “C” and “J” repaints in six numbers each, 24” circle-cross herald in 12 numbers, early “Q” herald in two numbers, and reporting marks only in two numbers. Also available undecorated. Injection-molded plastic model with wire grab irons and uncoupling levers, etched-metal brakewheel platform, and 36” metal wheels. $49.95. Third quarter 2018. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
FMC 50-foot double-door boxcar. British Columbia Ry., Burlington Northern, Chicago & North Western, Chessie System (Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks), Northern Alberta Rys., and Western Pacific. Three road numbers per scheme. Photo-etched metal crossover platform, 33” RP-25 metal wheelsets, and body-mounted McHenry couplers. $32.98. January 2019. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, www.athearn.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Boron, Calif., station. Laser-cut wood kit with board-and-batten architecture; tab-and-slot construction; peel-and-stick windows, door, trim, and shake-style shingles; metal smoke jacks; cast-resin air conditioner; and color signs. Depot measures 4” x 2-1/2” x 2”. Baggage room measures 2-5/8” x 2” x 1-3/4”. $52.95. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, www.laserkit.com
Laser-cut acrylic windows. For Atlas Master Line HO scale General Electric Dash 8-40C and Dash 8-40CW diesel locomotives. Flush-fitting windows are factory masked. $5.95 each. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, www.laserkit.com
Siemens ALP-45DP locomotive. NJ Transit. Four road numbers. Illuminated directional light-emitting-diode headlights, ditch lights, and red marker lights; positionable non-functioning pantograph, and five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels. Direct-current model, $149.95; with ESU LokSound Digital Command Control sound decoder, $259.95. Third quarter 2018. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
General Electric Evolution Series diesel locomotives. ES44AC: Chessie System (fictional heritage scheme, one road number), Citirail, CSX (Safety Train, one number), General Electric Evolution Hybrid demonstrator (one number), and Iowa Interstate (red-and-yellow Rock Island heritage scheme, one number). ES44C4: BNSF Ry. (Heritage III with Positive Train Control antenna) and Florida East Coast (red and yellow). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Prototype-specific trucks, illuminated ditch lights, and optional metal grab irons. Accepts Digitrax DZ125IN and Train Control Systems TCS EUN651 Digital Command Control decoders (sold separately). Direct-current model, $135. Fox Valley Models, www.foxvalleymodels.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe class BX-166 double-door boxcar. Late “Q” herald in two road numbers, Berwind “C” and “J” repaints in six numbers each, 24” circle-cross herald in 12 numbers, early “Q” herald in two numbers, and reporting marks only in two numbers. Also available undecorated. Injection-molded plastic model with wire grab irons and uncoupling levers, etched-metal brakewheel platform, and 36” metal wheels. $34.95. Third quarter 2018. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
NJ Transit multi-level cab car, trailer coach, and trailer coach with toilet. Multi-level cab car in four road numbers, multi-level trailer with toilet in four numbers, and multi-level trailer without toilet in 16 numbers (12 in standard scheme, four with safety slogans). All models feature light-emitting-diode (LED) illuminated interior with seat detail; separately applied lift lugs, end barriers, and vinyl diaphragms; and free-rolling metal wheels. Cab car has illuminated, directional LED headlights and ditch lights and red marker lights. Multi-level cab car, $69.95; multi-level trailer with toilet, $54.95; and multi-level trailer without toilet, $54.95 ($59.95 with safety slogan). Third quarter 2018. Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
13-double-bedroom sleeper. Long Island Rail Road (three names); National Ry. of Mexico (three names); New York Central (1939 20th Century Limited and 1946 postwar two-tone gray); Pennsylvania RR (Fleet of Modernism and Tuscan three-stripe schemes); Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (three road numbers); and Southern Pacific (as-delivered Lark, dark Lark gray, and Sunset schemes). Four names or numbers per scheme unless noted; also available factory assembled but undecorated. Wire grab irons, interior lighting, and truck-mounted couplers. $49.95 (undecorated, $44.95). September/October 2018. Centralia Car Shops and InterMountain Railway Co., 800-472-2530, www.intermountain-railway.com
1937 Association of American Railroads 40-foot double-door boxcar. New paint schemes: Baltimore & Ohio (“Sentinel Service” slogan), Great Northern (Vermillion Red), Erie (“Automobile” lettering), Illinois Central (“Automobile” lettering), and Southern Pacific (“Automobile” lettering). New road numbers: CP Rail (Action Red with Multimark herald). Four numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. $82.95. Third quarter 2018. Master Line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
ProtoThrottle. Wireless handheld throttle that works in tandem with Digital Command Control system and simulates a diesel locomotive control stand. Features anodized aluminum faceplate that includes spring-loaded horn button; fully dented 8-position (plus idle) throttle; fully detected reverser; latched bell button; smooth, resistive brake; independent light switches; and more. Requires the purchase of a DCC-specific receiver (only one receiver needed for multiple throttles), $99. Advance registration production run, $449. List price, $482. Second quarter 2018. Iowa Scaled Engineering, www.protothrottle.com
Looks very promising for those of us deeply interested in handling diesel controls on the layout just as they do in the prototype. Definitely not a one hand throttle. Big problem for the user will be coping with the variations in decoder commands and capabilities among TCS, LokSound and Soundtraxx, especially with braking. Though from the present documentation, you may be able to store configurations for various locos and access the right combo from the unit’s memory. Looking forward to playing with one.