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 February 11, 2021.
HO scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division SDL39 diesel locomotive. Milwaukee Road, Pacific RR South America, Soo Line (Milwaukee Road patchout), and Wisconsin Central (maroon with Creme or Dulux Yellow, both with and without ditch lights). Railroad, road number, and era-specific details; directional light-emitting-diode (LED) headlights; illuminated number boxes; tri-color LED flush-mounted class lights with raised gaskets; LED ground lights on both sides of locomotive; LED walkway lights; and illuminated cab interior with control stand lights. Direct-current model, $259.99; with ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder featuring Full Throttle, dual cube-type speakers, wheel squeal sounds when going through curves, “frog thump” sounds when passing over frogs in turnouts, and two PowerPack super capacitors, $349.99. December 2021. Museum Quality line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
Electro-Motive Division SDL39 diesel locomotive. Milwaukee Road, Pacific RR South America, Soo Line (Milwaukee Road patchout), and Wisconsin Central (maroon with Creme or Dulux Yellow, both with and without ditch lights). Railroad, road number, and era-specific details; directional light-emitting-diode (LED) headlights; illuminated number boxes; tri-color LED flush-mounted class lights with raised gaskets; LED ground lights on both sides of locomotive; LED walkway lights; and illuminated cab interior with control stand lights. Direct-current model, $259.99; with ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder featuring Full Throttle, dual cube-type speakers, wheel squeal sounds when going through curves, “frog thump” sounds when passing over frogs in turnouts, and two PowerPack super capacitors, $349.99. December 2021. Museum Quality line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
Siemens SC-44 Charger diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Altamont Corridor Express and North County Transit District Coaster. One road number per scheme. Dual-mode Train Control Systems WOWSound sound decoder with Audio Assist, Keep-Alive capacitor, 10 decoder-controlled lighting functions, interior corridor work lights, and die-cast metal frame. $469. Fall 2021. Bachmann Trains, 215-533-1600, bachmanntrains.com
HO scale freight cars
Riveted-side bay-window caboose. Erie (red), Milwaukee Road (orange and black), Illinois Terminal (green and yellow with “The Road of Personalized Service” slogan), New York Central (Century Green and black, one road number), Nickel Plate Road (red, white, and black with “Nickel Plate High Speed Service” slogan), Northern Alberta Rys. (gray, yellow, and blue), Pennsylvania RR (Freight Car Color with keystone herald, one number), RJ Corman (solid red and red-and-gray schemes, one number each), and St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco, Mandarin Orange and white). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. New Barber-Bettendorf swing-motion caboose trucks, clear window glazing, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. $34.99. January 2022. Roundhouse line. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Riveted-side bay-window caboose. Erie (red), Milwaukee Road (orange and black), Illinois Terminal (green and yellow with “The Road of Personalized Service” slogan), New York Central (Century Green and black, one road number), Nickel Plate Road (red, white, and black with “Nickel Plate High Speed Service” slogan), Northern Alberta Rys. (gray, yellow, and blue), Pennsylvania RR (Freight Car Color with keystone herald, one number), RJ Corman (solid red and red-and-gray schemes, one number each), and St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco, Mandarin Orange and white). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. New Barber-Bettendorf swing-motion caboose trucks, clear window glazing, and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. $34.99. January 2022. Roundhouse line. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
American Car & Foundry 3,560-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay Center Flow covered hopper. New paint schemes: Georgia-Pacific (dark green and gray) and Cancarb (black and blue). New road numbers: Chessie System (yellow and blue with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks); CSX (tan); Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range (gray with arrowhead herald); Kerr-McGee (gray and blue); and Potash Corp. (salmon and white). Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Roller-bearing trucks, metal wheels, and Accumate couplers. $33.95 (undecorated, $26.95). Fourth quarter 2021. Trainman series. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com
Pullman-Standard 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay covered hopper. New paint schemes: The Andersons (Ralston-Jefferson Iowa patchout, one road number); Cooper Grain, Colby, Kan. (1974 delivery, three numbers); Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern (1974 delivery); Far-Mar Co. (1974 delivery); Kansas City Southern (1992+ Far-Mar Co. patchout, one number); Kyle (2008+ Far-Mar Co. patchout, one number); and Ralston-Jefferson Iowa (1974 delivery, six numbers). New numbers: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (GA-191 April 1975 delivery, 12 numbers) and Michigan Elevator Exchange (1973 delivery). Six numbers per scheme unless noted; also available undecorated (1974-1975 version in kit and ready-to-run versions). See-through etched-metal running boards and crossover platforms, railroad-specific details, and Kadee scale couplers. $48.95. Tangent Scale Models, 828-279-6106, tangentscalemodels.com
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Havelock Shops 52’-6” gondola. Burlington Northern (Cascade Green); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (Chinese Red); Chicago & North Western (black); Conrail (black); Norfolk & Western (black); and Soo Line (brown). Newly tooled injection-molded plastic kit with interior floor detail, separate brake wheel, Barber S-2 trucks with raised lettering and foundry data, 33” machined metal wheels; and body-mounted semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers. $17.99. Summer 2021. Kit Classics line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
Evans 50-foot cushion coil car. Glass-fiber hoods: Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (yellow); Chessie System (blue and yellow with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks); and Norfolk & Western (black and white). Angled hoods: CSX (blue and yellow), Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (Century Green with New York Central herald), and Union Pacific (gray with Chicago & North Western reporting marks). Round hoods: BNSF Ry. (Oxide Red with post-2005 herald) and Norfolk Southern (gray with “Protect II” lettering). Three road numbers per scheme. Removable hoods with lifting and stacking brackets, etched-metal walkways, die-cast metal frame, 100-ton roller-bearing trucks with 36” turned-metal wheelsets; and Proto-Max metal couplers. $59.98. August 2021. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4,427-cubic-foot-capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper. Milwaukee Road (Federal Yellow); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (brown with billboard lettering); Cargill (gray-green with large herald placard); Chicago & North Western (yellow); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (gray); Northern Pacific (gray with large billboard lettering); and Soo Line (light gray and blue). Four road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. See-through running boards, 36” turned-metal wheelsets, and Proto-Max metal couplers. $27.98. WalthersMainline. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
89-foot enclosed bi-level auto rack. Burlington Northern, CP Rail, Conrail, Grand Trunk Western, Milwaukee Road, and Southern Pacific. Four road numbers per scheme. All racks ride on Trailer Train flatcars with TTGX reporting marks. Factory-installed grab irons, ladders, and brake equipment; 33” metal wheelsets; and Proto-Max metal couplers. $64.98. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale structures
Assembly plant. Injection-molded plastic kit with separate doors, windows, and vents. Overhead doors on back wall can be built for railcar access. Includes signs from 1960s and 1990s. Measures 23-1/8” x 11-13/16” x 4-3/4”. $89.98. April 2021. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Assembly plant. Injection-molded plastic kit with separate doors, windows, and vents. Overhead doors on back wall can be built for railcar access. Includes signs from 1960s and 1990s. Measures 23-1/8” x 11-13/16” x 4-3/4”. $89.98. April 2021. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Tire plant. Injection-molded plastic kit with brick curtain wall-style construction, two smoke stacks, water tank, enclosed rail car dock, truck dock, large carbon black storage silo, and decal signs. Measures 13-3/16” x 8-11/16” x 12”. $79.98. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
HO scale details and accessories
Automobile transloading terminal. Injection-molded plastic kit. Includes guardhouse and gate, two automobile loading/unloading ramps, and chain link fence. $59.98. March 2021. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Automobile transloading terminal. Injection-molded plastic kit. Includes guardhouse and gate, two automobile loading/unloading ramps, and chain link fence. $59.98. March 2021. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
N scale locomotives
General Electric ES44 diesel locomotive. New road numbers (model from previous run shown): BNSF Ry. (Heritage III) and Union Pacific (“Building America” scheme). Two numbers per scheme. Directional headlights, illuminated ditch lights, factory-printed number boards, Kato knuckle couplers, and five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. Direct-current model, $120; with Digitrax Digital Command Control motor and light decoder, $200; and ESU LokSound sound decoder, $320. Price is estimate and subject to change upon release. July 2021. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9500, katousa.com
General Electric ES44 diesel locomotive. New road numbers (model from previous run shown): BNSF Ry. (Heritage III) and Union Pacific (“Building America” scheme). Two numbers per scheme. Directional headlights, illuminated ditch lights, factory-printed number boards, Kato knuckle couplers, and five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. Direct-current model, $120; with Digitrax Digital Command Control motor and light decoder, $200; and ESU LokSound sound decoder, $320. Price is estimate and subject to change upon release. July 2021. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9500, katousa.com
N scale freight cars
36-foot old-time boxcar. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Chesapeake & Ohio; Missouri-Kansas-Texas; New York, Ontario & Western; Nickel Plate Road; and St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). Three road numbers per scheme. Molded truss rods with turnbuckles, screw-mounted trucks, and body-mounted couplers. $34.99. January 2022. Athearn N. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
36-foot old-time boxcar. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Chesapeake & Ohio; Missouri-Kansas-Texas; New York, Ontario & Western; Nickel Plate Road; and St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). Three road numbers per scheme. Molded truss rods with turnbuckles, screw-mounted trucks, and body-mounted couplers. $34.99. January 2022. Athearn N. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Pullman-Standard PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot-capacity two-bay covered hopper. Grand Trunk Western (blue), Louisville & Nashville (gray), Missouri-Kansas-Texas (green and yellow with “Clean Sand Loading Only” and BKTY reporting marks), Norfolk & Western (gray), Northern Pacific (gray), and Union Pacific (gray with shield herald and BKTY reporting marks). Three road numbers per scheme. Flush or overhanging roof and round or trough hatches as appropriate, etched-metal running boards, and McHenry couplers. $34.99. January 2022. Athearn N. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Greenbrier-Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack. Canadian Pacific (yellow and white schemes), BNSF Ry. (orange and white schemes), Canadian National (yellow with red or white “wet noodle” herald), CSX (yellow with “boxcar” herald), Kansas City Southern (yellow and white schemes), Norfolk Southern (yellow with Thoroughbred herald), and Union Pacific (yellow with shield herald and “Building America” slogan). Four body types (early, intermediate, late, and current), car rack numbers and rack clearance data specific to each car number, ASF low deck swing-motion trucks, and body-mounted couplers. $44.99. Summer 2021. Rivet Counter line. ScaleTrains.com, 423-299-3689, scaletrains.com
N scale structures
Meadowhead barn and silo. Injection-molded plastic kit. Barn features floor and approach ramp, standing seam gambrel-type roof, two rooftop ventilators, diamond-shaped eave windows, and molded hayloft door. Grain silo is stand-alone structure. Barn measures 4-5/16” x 3” x 2-13/16”. Silo is 3-5/8” tall. $49.98. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
Meadowhead barn and silo. Injection-molded plastic kit. Barn features floor and approach ramp, standing seam gambrel-type roof, two rooftop ventilators, diamond-shaped eave windows, and molded hayloft door. Grain silo is stand-alone structure. Barn measures 4-5/16” x 3” x 2-13/16”. Silo is 3-5/8” tall. $49.98. Cornerstone Series. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, walthers.com
O scale freight cars
Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot-capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper. New paint schemes: Archer Daniels Midland (blue and white); Cooperative Marketing Association (brown and black); Gold Kist (yellow and blue); Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative Association Inc. (red and black); Peavey Co. (blue and white); Scoular (gray and black); Tabor & Co., Decatur, Ill. (gray and black); and Valley Mills (green and gray). Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Positionable hatch covers with working latch assembly; separate, factory-applied wire grab irons; and sprung, die-cast metal roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps. $89.95 (undecorated, $84.95). Fourth quarter 2021. Master Line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com
Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot-capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper. New paint schemes: Archer Daniels Midland (blue and white); Cooperative Marketing Association (brown and black); Gold Kist (yellow and blue); Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative Association Inc. (red and black); Peavey Co. (blue and white); Scoular (gray and black); Tabor & Co., Decatur, Ill. (gray and black); and Valley Mills (green and gray). Two road numbers per scheme; also available undecorated. Positionable hatch covers with working latch assembly; separate, factory-applied wire grab irons; and sprung, die-cast metal roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps. $89.95 (undecorated, $84.95). Fourth quarter 2021. Master Line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, atlasrr.com
O scale structures
Richmond Packing Co. Kit has laser-cut tempered hardboard walls; basswood freight dock, doors, windows, and stairs; and peel-and-stick shingles. Building measures 8-5/8” x 11” without dock, 10-1/8” x 12-1/2” with. $149.95 plus shipping. Frank Ellison Tribute Series. Brennan’s Model Railroading, 816-252-4605, brennansmodelrr.com
Richmond Packing Co. Kit has laser-cut tempered hardboard walls; basswood freight dock, doors, windows, and stairs; and peel-and-stick shingles. Building measures 8-5/8” x 11” without dock, 10-1/8” x 12-1/2” with. $149.95 plus shipping. Frank Ellison Tribute Series. Brennan’s Model Railroading, 816-252-4605, brennansmodelrr.com
![Brennan’s Model Railroading O scale Richmond Packing Co. on scenicked diorama.]](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CTT_Brennans_Model_Railroading_O_Richmond_Packing_0211-300x200.jpg)
Z scale locomotives
Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive. Seaboard Air Line. Three road numbers. Phase I body, Alco Association of American Railroads trucks, body-mounted number boards, three-chime airhorn, 800-gallon fuel tank, single-beam headlights, 7.5mm coreless motor with dual flywheels, traction tires, built-in pilot, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, and body-mounted couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Alco RS-3 diesel locomotive. Seaboard Air Line. Three road numbers. Phase I body, Alco Association of American Railroads trucks, body-mounted number boards, three-chime airhorn, 800-gallon fuel tank, single-beam headlights, 7.5mm coreless motor with dual flywheels, traction tires, built-in pilot, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, and body-mounted couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive. Soo Line. Four road numbers. Model features shell from first run of GP38-2s with chassis rebuilt to 2020 standards. Locomotive has 7mm coreless motor with dual flywheels, traction tires, standard printed-circuit board, directional light-emitting-diode headlights, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
Pacific Fruit Express class R-70-20 mechanical refrigerator car. Pacific Fruit Express. Seven road numbers (four-pack, two-pack, and single car). Metal wheels and Auto-Latch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Pacific Fruit Express class R-70-20 mechanical refrigerator car. Pacific Fruit Express. Seven road numbers (four-pack, two-pack, and single car). Metal wheels and Auto-Latch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Electronics/controls
Sugar cube speaker. Pre-installed in sealed speaker box. 8 ohms. Measures 17.5mm x 25.5mm x 6.7mm. $17.95. Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 800-327-5126, bowser-trains.com
Sugar cube speaker. Pre-installed in sealed speaker box. 8 ohms. Measures 17.5mm x 25.5mm x 6.7mm. $17.95. Bowser Manufacturing Co. Inc., 800-327-5126, bowser-trains.com
Switch Machine Interface. Permits easier connections to a Tortoise by Circuitron switch machine that separates motor terminals and each single-pole double-throw (SPDT) set of contacts from each other. Reversible without the need to rewire connections. Two options for one SPDT contacts: three-pin header plug for easier connection to a signaling system and three-position terminal block. Header version: ready-to-use, $8.05; kit, $5.63. Terminal block version: ready-to-use, $9.05; kit, $6.63. Quantity discounts start with three units. Price may vary based on exchange rate. Circuits4Tracks, 905-787-1203, circuits4tracks.daxack.ca
Decals
Ultimate Virginian Ry. passenger car decal set. HO scale. Each set completes at least six cars. Includes all road numbers, car names, special car designations, car stripes for at least two cars, six pair of regular and two pair of narrow (BE-2 baggage car) Virginian road names, and one pair each of predecessor road names (Tidewater, Deepwater, White Oak, Piney River, and Paint Creek). $29.85. PayPal accepted. Virginia residents please include sales tax. Great Decals, Bill Mosteller, 3306 Parkside Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22031; greatdecals.com
Ultimate Virginian Ry. passenger car decal set. HO scale. Each set completes at least six cars. Includes all road numbers, car names, special car designations, car stripes for at least two cars, six pair of regular and two pair of narrow (BE-2 baggage car) Virginian road names, and one pair each of predecessor road names (Tidewater, Deepwater, White Oak, Piney River, and Paint Creek). $29.85. PayPal accepted. Virginia residents please include sales tax. Great Decals, Bill Mosteller, 3306 Parkside Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22031; greatdecals.com
Tools
Replacement needle scribers. Contains three each coarse and fine needles. For use with ultra-fine needle point scriber (sold separately). $4.99. Produced by Flex-I-File, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Replacement needle scribers. Contains three each coarse and fine needles. For use with ultra-fine needle point scriber (sold separately). $4.99. Produced by Flex-I-File, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Scribe-N-Cut folding knife. Hardened steel blade. For scoring and cutting styrene and acrylic up to ¼” thick. Swivel blade folds away safely for storage. $6.99. Produced by Flex-I-File, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Touch-N-Flow work base. Molded resin. For holding 2 ounce bottle of solvent cement, filler/cleaner bottle, Touch-N-Flow applicator, and brushes. Plast-I-Weld, filler bottle, and Touch-N-Flow applicator sold separately. $10.99. Produced by Flex-I-File, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Ultra-fine needle point scriber. Tool produces micro-fine scribed panel lines, punch holes, rivet marks, and more. Includes one scriber handle, two coarse needles, and two fine needles. $10.99. Produced by Flex-I-File, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Paints
Black Rubber Shades & Co. acrylic paint set. Includes six 22ml (approximately .75 fluid ounce) bottles of the following colors: Burned Black, Deep Cockpit, Dirty Black, Tire Black, Vulcanized Rubber, and Worn Black. Can be applied with brush or airbrush. Colors dry to matte finish. $34.99. Produced by Lifecolor, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
Black Rubber Shades & Co. acrylic paint set. Includes six 22ml (approximately .75 fluid ounce) bottles of the following colors: Burned Black, Deep Cockpit, Dirty Black, Tire Black, Vulcanized Rubber, and Worn Black. Can be applied with brush or airbrush. Colors dry to matte finish. $34.99. Produced by Lifecolor, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com
