Engines & rolling stock
PIKO America, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego CA 92120, has two Moguls in either Union Pacific (38226, shown) or Santa Fe (38227) paint schemes. The model has directional LED lights, the new PIKO SmartDecoder, and is fully featured on either analog DC or digital DCC. Price: $649.99. PIKO America also released a Trick-or-Treat Halloween hopper car (38898, shown). This car features Halloween graphics with glow-in-the-dark highlights. Price: $84.99. Visit piko-america.com for more information.
EggHaulers, info@egghaulers.com, has released several new holiday designs of rolling stock. Custom colors for your favorite roadname or sports team are also available. EggHaulers are specially designed to be pulled behind Eggliners, but will work with any large-scale engine. Price: $25 to $49. Website: egghaulers.com
MTH Electric Trains, 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046, has released a Union Pacific Challenger in 1:32 scale. The engine features a die-cast metal chassis, polycarbonate boiler and tender body, metal wheels, axles, and gears. The engine has Proto-Sound 3.0 with Digital Command system, including a quillable whistle with freight-yard Proto-Effects. Price: $1,499.94. The firm also announces an EMD SD70ACe in 1:32 scale. This engine has a detailed polycarbonate body, metal body side grills, operating ProtoSmoke diesel exhaust, Proto-Sound 3.0, and much more. It’s available in several road names, including George Bush, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Rio Grande Western, EMD, and. Reading Bee Line Service. Price: $749.95. Website: mthtrains.com
LGB (Märklin), P.O. Box 2649, Lake Ozark MO 65049, has released two Christmas-themed pieces of rolling stock. The first is a 2019 Christmas car (L36019), which is an addition to their annual Christmas line. It features opening doors and metal wheelsets. Price: $169.99. The Christmas caboose (L45652) is modeled after an American design. Price: $129.99. Both items will be available in the third quarter of 2019. See your local retailer or visit lgb.com for more information.
Bachmann Trains, 1400 East Erie Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19124, offers four new Eggliner designs: Denver & Rio Grande Western, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Fire Rescue, and Police. They feature operating headlights and marker lights. Price: $249. Bachmanntrains.com
Electronics & software
WifiTrax Model Science, 116 The Gully Road, Berowra, NSW 2081 Australia, has the WDMI-24 Wi-Fi/DCC Locomotive Interface Module. This module can be installed in many large-scale locomotives to provide Wi-Fi control via a DCC decoder, and is compatible with NMRA compliant decoders. Control the engine using the firm’s Loco Operator app (Version 3+, free, works on Windows 10 or Android devices) or use one of the film’s DCCIP Send modules with your existing DCC command station. The unit is intended for installation in battery powered locomotives with 10-18 Volt batteries. Price: $79. Website: wifitrax.com
PIKO America, 4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Ste. 5, San Diego CA 92120 offers a radio control system. The R/C Analog Power Set (35028, shown) includes a continuous 3-amp capacity transformer (5-amp peak), a controller, and a pocket remote. The controller also provides R/C-operated DC voltage outputs for accessories. Price: $184.99. The R/C Loco Receiver (35040) has a compact design to fit inside many locomotives. It’s meant to be battery-powered but can also be powered via a fixed DC supply of 7-22 volts. It comes with a pocket remote. Price: $99.99. Lastly, the firm also sells R/C pocket remotes individually. The remote has eight R/C channels and push-button controls for relay-type functions such as horns and whistles, and a range of up to 60′. Price: $24.99. The firm also offers the PIKO SmartDecoder 4.1. It allows recent PIKO sound modules to work on either direct current or Digital Command Control. Includes built-in buffer capacitors for smoother locomotive operation through spots of poor electrical contact (switch frogs and dirty track). Replaces older 36122 decoder. Price: $124.99. Visit piko-america.com for more information.
Books & media
Kalmbach Media, PO Box 1612, Waukesha WI 53187-1612 has released Big Boy – Back in Steam. This DVD covers the history of the Big Boy, the 2014-2019 restoration of No. 4014, and the May 2019 inaugural runs of Union Pacific’s No. 4014 on its original operating territory between Cheyenne, Wyo., and Ogden, Utah, across famous Sherman Hill and Wasatch Grade. Run time is approximately 110 minutes. Price: $29.95. Website: KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Miscellaneous
RailModeller Pro, www.railmodeller.com, has released version 6.1 of its layout-design software. This version includes a new Quick Filter for the library catalog, improved aspects of the Community Layouts feature, and much more. The software runs on Mac OS (10.11 and up) only. Price: $39.99. Learn more about the new features at the firm’s website.
Gardening
Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave. #450, Portland, OR 97204 has released Pruning Simplified by Steven Bradley. This 192-page book offers pruning advice for 50 of the most popular trees and shrubs. Price: $19.95. Website: timberpress.com
