Product news
Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 16, 2021.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern (Cascade Green and black), Conrail (“can opener” herald), St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt, scarlet and gray), Western Pacific (green and orange), and Wisconsin Central (maroon and yellow). Three road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated (standard and Southern Pacific body styles). Light-emitting-diode headlights, improved five-pole skew-wound can motor with flywheels, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM plug, $219.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder, $319.99. January 2023. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division GP40-2 diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern (Cascade Green and black with stripes), CSX (dark blue and yellow), Denver & Rio Grande Western (orange and black with speed lettering), Kansas City Southern (gray), Norfolk Southern (Thoroughbred scheme), and United States Army (red and yellow). Three road numbers per scheme. Light-emitting-diode headlights, five-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drive train, and Celcon handrails. Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $116.99. January 2023. Roundhouse line. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
HO scale freight cars
Assorted Northern Pacific freight cars. Single- and double-sheathed boxcars and double-sheathed refrigerator car. Injection-molded plastic kits with plastic wheelsets, Accumate couplers, and steel weight. Single car, $19.98 (refrigerator car, $20.98); three-pack, $59.98. February 2022. Accurail, 630-365-1173, accurail.com
Bay-window cabooses. Southern Pacific (class C-50-8 in brown-and-orange scheme, three road numbers; class C-50-9 in white Railroad Police scheme, two numbers; and C-50-9 in “Kodachrome” scheme, one number), Union Pacific (class B-50-9 in Armour Yellow with shield herald and SP reporting marks, one number), Western Pacific (481 class in red-and-black scheme, two numbers), and Willamette & Pacific (class C-50-5, one number). Wire grab irons, interior seats, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. With dual-mode NCE decoder for light-emitting-diode lighting, $119.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami SoundCar, $159.99. January 2023. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe panel boxcar. 3-D printed kit with assembly hardware and photo-illustrated instructions. Trucks and couplers not included. $29.99 Concept Models, con-sys.com
Procor 20,000-gallon general purpose tank car. Procor (as-delivered scheme with split “P” logo and UTLX reporting marks, split “P” logo and PROX marks, small modern logo, and large modern logo), North American Car (as-delivered scheme), British Columbia Ry. (green with large dogwood flower herald and “British Columbia Railway” lettering [four-pack] and green with small dogwood flower herald and “BC Rail” lettering [one number]), CP Rail (company service, four-pack and single car), and Government of Alberta (PROX and UTLX marks). Also available undecorated (two versions). Photo-etched metal walkways; detailed vent stacks, loading hatches, air tanks, and brake equipment; and Rapido semi-scale knuckle couplers. Single car, $49.95; four-pack, $199.80; and six-pack, $299.70. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale passenger equipment
Budd mid-train dome. Canadian Pacific (maroon scheme, three road numbers), CP Rail (Action Red, two numbers), Rio Grande Ski Train (Early and late schemes, one number each. Available exclusively from Spring Creek Model Trains), and VIA Rail Canada (post-1982 interior and “reversed” running configuration, six numbers [three numbers represent cars rebuilt after the mid-2010s]). New, improved tooling; underbody detail with air, steam, and electrical lines; detailed and decorated interiors; and track-powered interior lighting, including dome lights. $119.95. Superior Stainless line. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
N scale details and accessories
40-foot Fruehauf Z-van trailer. Missouri Pacific, Penn Central, Realco, and Rock Island. Two trailer numbers per scheme. Separate, factory-applied mud flaps; vinyl tires; and interchangeable (raised and lowered) landing gear. $29.99. January 2023. Athearn N. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
N scale structures
City station. Kit features laser-cut acrylic parts with engraved stonework and various station names. Beaux-arts style with art glass and wrought iron canopy. Can be used as stand-alone structure or in conjunction with city station concourse kit, sold separately. Measures 4-1/4” x 10-1/2” x 5-1/4”. $215. Custom Model Railroads, 410-889-0010, custommodelrailroads.com
Z scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division E7 diesel locomotive. New paint scheme: Great Northern (Omaha Orange and Pullman Green with yellow stripes). Two road numbers. Features 7mm motor with dual flywheels, metal steps, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, optional front truck with mounted coupler, blackened metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
