Rolling stock & accessories
Menards has released Jack’s Christmas Boxcar (No. 2759153). This red boxcar has a winter scene featuring Jack the German shepherd with a red LED nose that blinks when connected to track power. The boxcar navigates O-27 curves, and each car is uniquely numbered. Available as a single car or in packs of four. Cost: $29.99 for one; $99.96 for a set of four. Website: menards.com/trains
Ready-Made-Trains (RMT) has ore cars available in 51 roadnames (RMT-96741 shown). These cars have new tooling featuring more underbody details, metal wheels, and a coupler airhose. They operate on O-31 curves and have a removable coal load. Price: $29.95. To learn more and see available roadnames, visit readymadetoys.com
Lionel Collectors club of America (LCCA) is offering a 2023 Christmas boxcar. The car will navigate O-31 curves and are custom made by Lionel LLC. You must be a member of the club to order the boxcar; limit one car per member. Cost: $90 each plus shipping/handling. Delivery in late 2023. To order and/or join the club, call 815-223-0115 (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST) or at lionelcollectors.org.
Lionel Collectors club of America (LCCA) also offers a boxcar and tank car lettered in Texas Pete Heat Fleet graphics. Both cars will navigate O-31 curves and are custom made by Lionel LLC. You must be a member of the club to order the cars. Cost: $90 each plus shipping/handling. To order and/or join the club, call 815-223-0115 (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST) or at lionelcollectors.org.
Books & media
Budd RDCs: Volume 2 is one of several new additions to the Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive from SilverLake Images LLC. The 60-page softcover book ($35) features reproductions of Budd publications on the “New Look” Rail Diesel Cars and the SPV-2000. The book includes drawings of the RDC-1, 2, 3, 4, and 9; a list of all RDCs sold by railroad and type as of October 1956; and details on the carbody, trucks, engines, brakes, and other systems of the SPV-2000. Price: $35. To order, call Ron’s Books at 914-967-7541 or visit ronsbooks.com
In volume two of Industrial Brownhoist Corporation, you can learn about its cranes and freight handling equipment. Inside the 166-page book ($35) are reproductions of four company publications: Rapid Freight Handling Equipment, Buckets & Tubs, Suspended Concrete Bins, and Overhead Hand Traveling Cranes. The book is part of the Manufacturers’ Catalog Archive from SilverLake Images LLC. Price: $35. It’s available at Ron’s Books (ronsbooks.com or 914-967-7541).
From the Kalmbach Hobby Store
How Diesel & Electric Locomotives Work, the latest book by popular Kalmbach Media author Jeff Wilson, is a complete guide to the inner workings of the locomotives powering railroad’s today. The 208-page softcover book (item No. 01320, $27.99) includes a brief history of the locomotive type and the development of the diesel engine; various components and systems, illustrating how the various parts function and the design differences between manufacturers; and how electric locomotives work and their similarities to diesel units. The text is supplemented with hundreds of photos, charts, and mechanical illustrations describing the workings of locomotives.
Classic Trains is back with New York Central Remembered, a 100-page special issue covering the history of New York Central, 20th Century Limited passenger trains, Grand Central Terminal, Water Level Route, and more. It costs $11.99.
This 1,000-piece puzzle, produced by MasterPieces, is based on a painting by Dan Hatala of two young train fans admiring Lionel products in the hobby shop window. The puzzle (No. 69755, $19.99) features thick recycled puzzle board, random cut pieces that ensure a tight interlocking fit, and a bonus poster. The finished puzzle measures 19 ¼” x 26 3/4“.
News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more. Model railroad product news may include HO, N, O, S, and Z scales. Product release dates and prices will vary according to each manufacturer.
If you are a manufacturer and have new product releases, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cgrivno@kalmbach.com and Associate Editor Bryson Sleppy at bsleppy@kalmbach.com for more information.
