TAKE YOUR PASSENGERS TO THE SHED: Bridge Boss offers a line of train shed kits designed to service a variety of train scales. One version measures 48 x 24 x 24 inches for Large scale, Standard gauge, or O gauge trains. The other shed version is 24 x 16 x 16 inches for O, S, or HO trains. These sheds are configured to be mounted end to end to suit your particular shed length needs. All roofing is removable for easy access to interior and you can order optional interior lighting ($20). All shed kits are available in different versions and options, depending on your layout requirements, and are available as an unsanded kit, a sanded, unpainted kit; or painted in your choice of colors. The smaller 24 inch shed is available fully assembled. Inquire for a price quote for the pre-assembly service. New shed sizes are coming soon. For pricing and more information go to www.bridgeboss.com.
COLORFUL COIL CAR: Pikesville Models has introduced S gauge flatcars with either hemispherical or five-sided coil covers. The models are available undecorated or in Burlington Northern/McLouth Steel, Chicago & North Western (shown), Chesapeake & Ohio/Youngstown Sheet & Tube, Illinois Central/Inland Steel, and Pennsylvania RR/Lukens Steel. The coil cars are priced at $45 each plus shipping and can be ordered from Pikesville Models, 3315 Timberfield Ln., Pikesville, MD 21208 or online at www.americanflyertrains.com.
RIOT OF COLOR: Perhaps the best novelty paint scheme of the modern era is the multi-colored Life Savers design, and the Cal-Stewart train meet salutes this candy rainbow with your choice of O or S gauge bay-window cabooses made by Lionel. The O gauge car (top) has a smoke unit, and the S gauge car (bottom) features a rear strobe light. Both have die-cast metal trucks and couplers. The O gauge car costs $81.95 (California residents add $7.38 tax), and the S gauge car costs $76.95 (California residents add $6.93 tax). Shipping to the 48 contiguous states is $12 per car plus $8 for each additional car. All other destinations are $16 for the first car and $8 per additional car. The order deadline is February 28, 2014, with delivery in October 2014. Make your payment in check or international money order payable in U.S. funds to TTOS Southwestern Division. Mail the order to 2013 Cal-Stewart Car Offer, c/o Bruce Lazarus, 4858 Dunman Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91364. Go to www.cal-stewart.org for more details.
FOR SHOVEL-READY PROJECTS: The latest heavy construction gear to rumble in, is a handy piece of equipment for your next O gauge highway project. The 1:50 scale Wirtgen W 250i cold milling machine by NZG is just what you need to simulate chewing up an old highway surface or mulching concrete at a demolition site. The die-cast metal model costs $190.95. The Wirtgen is distributed by b2b Replicas and available at www.3000toys.com and other hobby retailers.
FUN IS BACK: TM Books and Video’s venerable Toy Train Revue magazine from the 1990s has returned as a 90-minute video with Toy Train Revue 1. The premier program covers three layouts (two hi-rail and one traditional), has a feature on controlling your layout with an iPad, and much more. The program costs $19.99 and is available from your hobby retailer or order your disc online at www.tmbv.com.
BOX TRAIN: MTH’s Premier line no. 20-20395-1 AC4400 diesel twin-stack freight set replicates a sight you can probably witness at most major mainline crossings in America. The O gauge set features a CSX AC4400 diesel equipped with two can-style motors and MTH’s ProtoSound 3.0 as well as five well cars with two CSX containers per car. The train set operates on O-54 curves and costs $749.95. See your hobby retailer or go to www.mthtrains.com for more information.
SALUTE 65: The Reading Society of Model Engineers (RSME) celebrates 65 years of model train excellence with a custom-run hopper by MTH. The RailKing car comes in special RSME anniversary graphics and features die-cast metal trucks and couplers. The O gauge model is priced at $45 plus shipping from RSME (or $49.95 from the shops listed). Order from the RMSE at 2060 Mount Laurel Rd., Fleetwood, PA 19522 or call 610-929-5444. Two retailers also carry the hopper: Rail Yard Hobbies, 1000 Heritage Dr., Elverson, PA 19520, call 610-286-6875 or go online to www.railyardhobbies.com; and Ye Olde Train & Christmas Shop, 601 Jackson Rd. and Rt. 100, Boyertown, PA 19512, call 610-369-0755 or go online to www.yeoldetrain.com.
LIONEL HISTORY 101: Trainpaper.com offers a digital edition of the first major history of Lionel trains – All Aboard: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen and his Lionel Train Company by Ron Hollander. The disc contains more than 500 pages of the first and second editions as well as an early promotional brochure for the book. The material can be viewed on Mac or PC platforms. The disc costs $18 plus $2.50 shipping and can be ordered from Robert Osterhoff, 1622 Garden Valley Dr., Wildwood, MO 63038; call 636-458-3659 or order online at www.trainpaper.com.
BUILT WITH HYDROCAL: Downtown Deco’s latest structure kit is the Metals Bank building, made with Hydrocal and featuring laser-cut doors and windows as well as distressed-looking sidewalks. The O gauge kit has unique cornices and fire escape placement so you can place it next to similar structures and still have a distinctive, not a cookie-cutter, look. The Metals Bank sells for $119.95 plus $12 shipping. Send payment to Downtown Deco, Box 335, Conner, MT 59827, call 406-821-0181, or visit www.downtowndeco.com to order or find more information.
CHEMICAL HAZE: Pikesville Models offers 10 new road names for its S gauge single-dome tank car. Names include ARCO, Clark Gas (white or black bodies), Columbia Southern Chemicals (shown), Farmer’s Cooperative, Oklahoma Gas, SSRYA, Therm-Ice, and Wanzer Milk. Each model costs $55 plus shipping and can be ordered from Pikesville Models, 3315 Timberfield Ln., Pikesville, MD 21208 or online at www.americanflyertrains.com.
WORK HORSE: MTH’s Premier line Alco S-2 diesel switcher should be in stores now. The O gauge model features two can-style motors, directional lighting, two coil couplers, and MTH’s ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system. The model shown flies the flag of the South Buffalo Ry., a short line serving steel and automobile plants in and around Buffalo, N.Y. The locomotive comes in three cab numbers and costs $399.95 each. See your hobby retailer or go to www.mthtrains.com for more information.
GILBERT IN WAR AND PEACE: Hybrid Systems has just released the A.C. Gilbert Digital Archive, 1938-1945. The CD includes 11 consumer catalogs, 11 advance dealer catalogs and price sheets, and more than 50 consumer advertisements. There also are five publications prepared by the Gilbert Co., including the 1941 Gilbert Hall of Science opening program, 1942’s Geared to Go for Victory, the 1943 A.C. Gilbert War Book, and the 1944 A.C. Gilbert War Book. The program is compatible with either Mac or PC computers and costs $35 plus $5 shipping. Order on line at www.hslinc.com or call 800-779-2802.
