SMART DEVICE CONTROL: MTH Electric Trains 2017 starter set line now comes ready to run with your Apple or Android smartphone or Apple iPad. Outfits will come with a 75-watt 5 amp power supply and a DCS TIU-1 receiver with Wi-Fi. Just download the free MTH DCS app and you are ready to roll. The trains may also be controlled via the separate sale DCS Remote Commander, or any standard O gauge toy train transformer. See your MTH retailer or go to www.mthtrains.com for more information.
A HOME IN THE COUNTRY: The latest Built-&-Ready Structure from Woodland Scenics is the no. BR5860 O Scale Old Homestead house. The assembled and weathered structure is a small country home and includes detail such as an outhouse, water pump, mailbox and Bowser the dog doing security duty on the front porch. The O gauge building, which has two interior LEDS made for use with the Just Plug lighting system, is priced at $139.99. See your hobby retailer or go to www.woodlandscenics.com.
FAST ‘N FROSTY DELIVERY: There may be no more iconic an American delivery vehicle than the Divco milk truck, and Williams by Bachmann is adding it to the EZ-Streets O gauge vehicle fleet. Four liveries of this highway classic will be offered: the nos. 42737 Chilly’s Ice (shown here), 42738 Pasture Pure Dairy, 42739 Daisy Fresh Diaper Service, and 47240 Kensington Hardware & Supply delivery truck. The 7¼-inch-long trucks operate forward only. They can run on E-Z Streets track or three-rail O gauge track. Price and delivery date are to be determined. For more information, go to www.bachmanntrains.com
FALL IN: Atlas O’s O scale troop cars are in stores now. The Atlas Troop Car Series uses tooling formerly owned by Weaver Models and offers (left to right) the nos. 3007706-1 troop hospital car in Army green and white or undecorated, 3007704-3 Pullman troop sleeper in Pullman or undecorated versions, and 3007705-4 troop kitchen car in Army green and gold or undecorated, all for $99.95 each. The no. 3007707-2 express boxcar comes undecorated or painted and lettered for Burlington, Chesapeake & Ohio, New Haven, or New York Central. The price is $74.95 each. See your Atlas O retailer or visit www.atlaso.com for more information.
A CENTER OF COMMERCE: Menards beefs up your O gauge business district with a three-in-one structure. The no. 279-3971 Watkins building hosts three businesses – a branch of the J. R. Watkins company, maker of spices, soaps, and liniments; a small Red Owl grocery store; and a walkup office for an attorney. You’ll find figures, a coin-operated pony, and Jack the German Shepherd. The building costs $99.99 plus shipping. Order online at www.menards.com.
I miss Bob Keller’s video reviews. What happened?