BOOK ’EM JACKO: Give five-oh a prominent spot on your O gauge layout with the no. 279-4435 Police Plaza from Menards. The multi-story police station features a brightly illuminated entrance (guarded by, who else? Jack the police dog) and a rooftop helipad with police chopper. The roof has flashing red LEDs, and the helipad has alternating red and white LEDs surrounding the “H” logo. But the surprise is that the helicopter motors rotate. The structure costs $99.99 plus shipping. Order online at www.Menards.com/Trains and opt for shipment to your local Menards store.
SNACK TIME: In a time when you had milk delivered to your door and you just might get twice-a-day mail deliveries, a familiar sight in a neighborhood was the home delivery of potato chips. Charles Chips had route drivers who sold potato chips, pretzels, and even cookies, all in returnable metal cans. The Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association (METCA) brings this pop culture icon to your O gauge layout with the Charles Chips E-Z DIVCO truck. The motorized unit runs on E-Z Streets/SuperStreets track – as well as on your regular three-rail line. Made by Bachmann Trains, the vehicle costs $79 postpaid (Alaska, Hawaii and Canada add $5 shipping per order) and is offered exclusively through METCA. The trucks can be ordered online at http://metca.org/CharlesChipsTruck.shtml, or visit METCA’s website and download a mail-order form to fill out and send to Charles Chips DIVCO Truck c/o Bob Amling, 5 E. Warwick Ct., Farmingdale, NJ 07727.
THE WHEELING RIDES AGAIN: Stockyard Express has announced a second run of its custom-painted Wheeling & Lake Erie Ca-1 caboose. The limited-edition O gauge model features a striking yellow paint scheme, die-cast trucks and couplers, and interior decoration and illumination, and is available in two road numbers: 0813 and 0815. The car costs $69.95 plus shipping. For more information or to order, go to www.stockyardexpressllc.com.
LIGHT THE ROAD OR THE RAILS: The assortment of O gauge rolling stock being developed by Menards never seems to end. The latest models are the nos. 279-3433 Chesapeake & Ohio flatcar with illuminated Goodyear truck and 279-3446 Santa Fe flatcar with illuminated Chippewa Valley Farm Supply truck. The vehicles are lit by track power. The railcars cost $29.99 each plus shipping. Order online at www.Menards.com/Trains and opt for free shipment to your local Menards store.
