Product news
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of February 25, 2021.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive. Tacoma Rail (red and white, two road numbers), BNSF Ry. (Heritage III), Montana Rail Link (“Thank You To All Essential Workers” scheme in one number, blue and black with Washington Companies logo in three numbers), and Union Pacific (Missouri-Kansas-Texas, Missouri Pacific, and Western Pacific heritage units, one number each). Upgraded model with etched metal see-through steps; illuminated number boxes, ground lights on front truck, and marker lights (where applicable); and railroad-specific details. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $259.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder, $349.99. January 2022. Genesis 2.0 series. AthearnTrains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive. Rivet Counter line: BNSF Ry. (Factory-weathered Heritage II with Heritage I hood replacement in two road numbers, Heritage II in four numbers), Norfolk Southern (Dash 9-40W, as-built scheme), and Southern Pacific (as-built scheme). Six numbers per scheme unless noted; also available undecorated. Operator line: BNSF Ry. (Heritage II), BC Rail (blue and silver), and General Electric demonstrator (black and red, one road number). Four numbers per scheme unless noted. Rivet Counter line model has prototype-specific details; separate, factory-applied details; and 26 etched metal see-through radiator intake and exhaust grills. Operator line model features see-through steps; cab interior; and factory-drilled holes for grab irons, uncoupling levers, m.u. hoses, and trainline hoses (detail kit no. SXT81047 sold separately). Rivet Counter line: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector for Digital Command Control decoder, $179.99; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder featuring Full Throttle, dual cube-type speakers, and two PowerPack super capacitors, $269.99. Operator line: Direct-current model with 21-pin connector for Digital Command Control Decoder, $104.99; with dual-mode ESU LokSound Essential sound decoder, $159.99. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
General Electric ES44AH diesel locomotive. CSX Pride in Service schemes: Spirit of our Armed Force, Spirit of our Law Enforcement (with red-and-blue or clear ditch lights), and Spirit of our First Responders. One road number per scheme. Prototype-specific details, light-emitting-diode lighting, and see-through etched-metal dynamic brake intake grills with blower motors visible inside. Direct-current model with 21-pin connector, $209.99; with dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder with Full Throttle, dual cube-type speakers, and two PowerPack super capacitors, $299.99. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these locomotives will benefit Blue Star Families, First Responders Children’s Foundation, Operation Homefront, Operation Gratitude, and Wounded Warrior Project. Rivet Counter line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
American Car & Foundry 50-foot hi-cube waffle-side double-plug-door boxcars. Burlington Northern (11-81 and 12-83 repaints, two road numbers each); Chicago & Eastern Illinois (as-delivered 3-73, six numbers); Missouri Pacific (ex-CE&I, three numbers); St. Louis-San Francisco (yellow, six numbers); and Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern (as-delivered 4-74, six numbers). Also available as undecorated kit (1973-74 version). Reservation product only (reservations due March 20, 2021). Features to be announced. Price will be in line with current ready-to-run items. Moloco, molocotrains.com
HO scale freight cars
Assorted freight cars. Canadian National 40-foot combination-door boxcar (brown with “wet noodle” herald), $19.98. Chicago & Great Western 36-foot double-sheathed boxcar (brown with “Corn Belt Route” slogan), $19.98. Chicago & North Western American Car & Foundry two-bay Center Flow covered hopper (yellow), $20.98. Grand Trunk, Pacific Great Eastern, and Quebec Central 36-foot Fowler boxcars (brown): single, $19.98; three-pack, $58.98. Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 40-foot steel refrigerator car (yellow and brown with NRC reporting marks), $20.98. St. Louis-San Francisco 40-foot plug-door boxcar (orange with “Ship it on the Frisco” slogan), $19.98. Injection-molded plastic kits with plastic wheelsets, Accumate couplers, and steel weight(s). Accurail, 630-365-1173, accurail.com
13,000-gallon acid tank car. Union Tank Car Co. (white-and-green and white schemes), Chevron (black), Grupo Mexico (white and black schemes, one road number each), Kennecott Copper (white), Mexican Copper (black, two numbers), and Procor (white). Six numbers (three single cars and one three-pack) per scheme unless noted. Etched-metal walkways, prototype-specific brake systems and end sills, and body-mounted McHenry scale double-shelf couplers. $59.99; three-pack, $169.99. January 2022. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
F89-F bi-level auto rack. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (brown); Illinois Central (brown with orange rack); New York Central (Century Green); Northern Pacific (brown); Southern Ry. (with side panels); and St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco, yellow). Three road numbers per scheme. Die-cast metal underframe, detailed deck, and body-mounted McHenry couplers. $64.99. December 2022. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
American Car & Foundry 5,800-cubic-foot-capacity four-bay Center Flow covered hopper. America Styrenics, BASF, BP Amoco, Eastman Tennessee, Himont USA, Oxyvinyls, PolyOne, Shintech, and Wells Fargo Rail. Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Nine full-width body panels with 10 weld seams, etched-metal running boards, 100-ton roller-bearing trucks, and body-mounted Accumate couplers. $45.95 (undecorated, $37.95). Master Line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com
Pullman-Standard 40-foot PS-1 boxcar. St. Louis-Southwestern (Cotton Belt, Boxcar Red and black with Blue Streak Fast Freight herald). 1951 as-delivered scheme in one road number. Separate, factory-applied grab irons, ladders, and other details; solid-bearing trucks; and Kadee scale couplers. $40.95. Kadee Quality Products Co., 541-826-3883, kadee.com
HO scale passenger equipment
Horizon intercity coach. Amtrak (phase 3 narrow and wide stripes, phase 4, and phase 6). Also available undecorated. Full underbody and interior detail, GSI G70 trucks with metal wheelsets, tinted window glazing, constant interior lighting in direct current and Digital Command Control, controllable interior and marker lights, and metal grab irons. $99.95. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
Horizon intercity dinette. Amtrak (phase 3 narrow and wide stripes, phase 4, phase 6, and Amtrak California). Also available undecorated. Full underbody and interior detail, GSI G70 trucks with metal wheelsets, tinted window glazing, constant interior lighting in direct current and Digital Command Control, controllable interior and marker lights, and metal grab irons. $99.95. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale maintenance of way
Plasser & Theurer Construction Machines Inc. Unimat 09-4×4/4S ES ballast tamping machine. Primarily metal construction. Features mfx digital decoder with sound, light, and operational functions; detailed, illuminated cab interior; and digitally positionable pantograph. Four powered axles using two synchronized motors. Tamping unit can be moved vertically and horizontally. $659.99. Third quarter 2021. Märklin Inc., 800-321-8811, marklin.com
N scale locomotives
Swiss Federal Railways class Ce 6/8 III “Crocodile” electric locomotive. Metal-impregnated plastic body, digital motor and sound decoder compatible with mfx and Digital Command Control, directional warm white light-emitting-diode headlights, marker lights, NEM coupler pockets, six powered axles, and traction tires. $469.99. Second quarter 2021. Minitrix line. Märklin Inc., 800-321-8811, marklin.com
N scale freight cars
BNSF Ry. rail train buffer cars. Factory-painted and weathered ex-Santa Fe Refrigerator Despatch cars with plastic wheelsets and Magne-Matic couplers. Two-pack, $57.95. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, micro-trains.com
Atlantic Coast Line 50-foot welded-side boxcars. Factory-painted and weathered models (one each in brown and black-and-yellow schemes). Separate, factory-applied brake wheel; plastic wheelsets; and Magne-Matic couplers. Two-pack, $57.95. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, micro-trains.com
N scale details and accessories
Woodland camouflage Humvee. Window, shell, and underframe are factory assembled. Extra wheels, snorkel, and painted etched-metal pieces to be installed by modeler. Two-pack, $34.95. March 2021. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, micro-trains.com
Large scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. Amtrak (F7A in two road numbers, F7B in one number). F7A units have ball-bearing Bühler motors; traction tires; built-in mfx/Digital Command Control decoder with various light and sound functions; and separate, factory-applied details. F7B is unpowered and has built-in speaker that can be powered from F7A using supplied cable. F7A, $889.99 each; F7B, $419.99. Third quarter 2021. LGB (Märklin Inc.), 800-321-8811, lgb.com
Large scale freight cars
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe steel boxcar. Positionable doors, molded ladders, heavy-duty plastic wheels, and hook-and-loop couplers. $93.99. March 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com
Ore car. Denver & Rio Grande Western (black with “Flying Grande” lettering and “Main Line Thru the Rockies” herald) and Pennsylvania RR (dark green with Keystone herald). Molded ladders and stirrup steps, ore load, heavy-duty plastic wheels, and hook-and-loop couplers. $62.99 each. March 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com
Two-bay offset-side hopper. Union Pacific (yellow with “Building America” slogan and American flag). Molded handrails and stirrup steps, coal load, heavy-duty plastic wheels, and hook-and-loop couplers. $73.99. March 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com
Z scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (for use with Super Chief passenger equipment, sold separately). Two single A units and two A-B-B-A sets. Directional light-emitting-diode lighting in A units, 7mm motor, blackened metal wheels, optional replacement truck with truck-mounted coupler, and drawbar (A units only). American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
Pullman-Standard two-bay covered hopper. CSX (Chessie System patchout); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (gray with circle-cross herald in black square); and Pennsylvania RR (gray with shadow keystone herald and “Pennsylvania” billboard lettering). Two road numbers per scheme. Injection-molded plastic with plastic wheelsets and Magne-Matic couplers. $25.95 each. Micro-Trains Line Co., 541-535-1755, micro-trains.com
Z scale passenger equipment
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe summer 1953 Super Chief. Two eight-car sets. Each set includes baggage car; Railway Post Office; Palm-series 10-roomette, 6-double-bedroom sleeper; Regal-series 4-bedroom, 4-compartment, 2-drawing-room sleeper; dome; diner; dormitory-lounge; and observation car. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe summer 1953 Super Chief add-on set. Two four-car sets. Each set has two Palm-series 10-roomette, 6-double-bedroom sleepers and two Regal-series 4-bedroom, 4-compartment, 2-drawing-room sleepers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
