HIGH-HOOD HEAVYWEIGHT: MTH Electric Trains has expanded its RailKing motive roster with an O gauge EMD SD9 painted and lettered for the Chessie System (Baltimore & Ohio). The no. 30-20196-1 diesel locomotive is capable of O-32 operation and features a metal frame and die-cast metal trucks and couplers, two can-style motors, an operating smoke unit, and coil couplers. The crew figures are seated for long-hood forward operation. The model has MTH’s ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system and costs $329.95. See your hobby retailer or go to www.mthtrains.com for more information.
CONVEYOR FOR COAL POWER: For more than a century America’s industrial might was based on coal, and Atlas O celebrates this through a line of 55-ton hopper cars from some of your favorite coal-hauling railroads. The current production run includes O gauge cars decorated for the Chesapeake & Ohio; New York, Ontario & Western; Pennsylvania Lines; Southern Pacific; and Wabash; an undecorated model is also available. The cars have a die-cast metal center-beam, chassis, trucks, and couplers, along with add-on metal detail parts. The hoppers, which require O-31 or wider diameter curves, come in four road numbers per car. Atlas has priced them at $71.95 each. See your Atlas O retailer or go to atlaso.com for more information.
FOR FASTER FREIGHT: Today’s freight seems to move in a box, not a boxcar, and Williams by Bachmann has added some new gear for your intermodal trains. The Front Runner Intermodal Car with trailer is available in four road names: CSX, Conrail, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific (shown above). The O gauge spine cars feature a die-cast metal body, trucks, and couplers, with add-on plastic detail parts. The trailers have opening doors and realistic graphics. Each car with trailer has a price tag of $129.95. See your Williams by Bachmann retailer or go to www.bachmanntrains.com for more information.
SEEDS AND FEEDS: Menards has fielded a new O gauge structure. The no. 2790838 Menards Seed & Feed is a fully assembled resin building that comes painted and weathered and ready to place on your layout. The building features exterior security lights, a blinking light in the elevator room, plus a Menards Seed & Feed truck with illuminating headlights. A 4.5-volt power supply is required (not included). The exterior of the building is decorated with vintage advertising and comes with four figures and Jack the German Shepherd (not included with our sample). The structure, which has a 11 1/2 x 14 1/2-inch footprint, sells for $99.99 plus shipping (you can have it shipped at no charge to your local Menards). To order go to www.menards.com.
Great, as usual.