General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive. BNSF Ry. (Heritage III in five road numbers, one number with primer repairs, one number with silver plow, and two numbers with replacement Nathan K3LA air horn), Canadian Pacific (as delivered in two numbers, with Hi-Ad trucks and Positive Train Control antennas in four numbers), and Union Pacific (“Building America” slogan but without American flag in one number, faded “Building America” scheme with American flag and replacement doors in one number, and faded “Building America” scheme with American flag and factory weathering in four numbers). Prototype-specific details, light-emitting-diode lighting, and McHenry scale couplers. Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector for Digital Command Control decoder, $239.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $329.98. December 2020. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio cupola caboose with tongue-and-groove siding. Laser-cut wood kit with scribed side and end walls; tab-and-slot and peel-and-stick construction; laser-cut underframe, end platforms, end railings, queen posts, sunshades, and power brake wheels with stands; cast-resin platform steps and brake gear; Tichy Train Group plastic turnbuckles; white metal smokejack; brass wire; custom decals by Tichy Train Group; and jigs for creating wire grab irons and ladders. Kit does not include trucks or couplers. $64.95. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, laserkit.com
Pullman-Standard 5,344-cubic-foot-capacity boxcar. Bangor & Aroostook (orange patchout, three road numbers); Corinth & Counce RR Co. (CCR, three numbers); Golden Triangle RR (GTRA, three numbers); Hartford & Slocomb (CCR and GTRA patchouts); Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (Oxide Red with marks only); Rock Island (white with W&OV reporting marks in one number and Rock marks in two numbers); Shortlines of the South three-pack (CCR, GTRA, and Terminal Ry. Alabama State Docks); Terminal Ry. Alabama State Docks (three numbers); Union Pacific (CCR and Clarendon & Pittsford patchouts with BKTY reporting marks). Six road numbers (three single cars and one three-pack) per scheme unless noted. Separate, factory-applied brake wheel, end ladders, and grab irons; RP-25 contour 33” metal wheelsets; and body-mounted McHenry scale couplers. Single car, $32.98; three-pack, $93.98. December 2020. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 800-338-4639, athearn.com
Pullman-Standard 4,785-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper. Early end frame version: A.E. Staley Manufacturing Co. Late end frame version: Conrail (red with large “can opener” herald, gray with medium herald, and gray with “Quality” herald), CSX, Milwaukee Road (three numbers), and Norfolk Southern (class HCP33). Six numbers per scheme unless noted. Etched-metal running boards, wire grab irons, Kadee couplers, and metal wheelsets. $42.95. InterMountain Railway Co., 800-472-2530, intermountain-railway.com
Crated diesel engine/generator loads. Kit features multi-part cast-resin diesel engine/generator, laser-cut wood crate, and laser-cut tie-down straps. Suitable for flatcars with a minimum length of 40 scale feet. Assembled loads measure 1-3/4” long (with end blocking) x 1” x 1-1/8”. Two-pack, $19.95. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, laserkit.com
National Steel Car 53-foot well car. TTX (class NWF13A with nine posts). Five road numbers. Die-cast metal body, etched stainless steel end walkways, separately applied brake system details, Micro-Trains trucks, and Magne-Matic couplers. $44.95. Second quarter 2020. Jacksonville Terminal Co., jtcmodeltrains.com
50,000-gallon straight side water tank with pump house. Laser-cut wood kit with scribed birch plywood wrapper; peel-and-stick bands; wood beam support structure; built-up access ladder and water gauge; cast-metal spout, fine brass wire, and plastic rod/tubing for modeling water-delivery system; optional cast resin peaked roof with simulated rolled roofing detail; and small wood pump house with tab-and-slot and peel-and-stick construction. Finished tank measures 2” square x 2-1/2” to top of tank (optional peaked roof adds an additional ¼”); pump house measures ¾” x 1” x 7/8”. $29.95. American Model Builders Inc., 314-646-8588, laserkit.com
TTX 89-foot flatcars with M923 5-ton 6×5 truck loads. Yellow flatcars with M923 trucks painted in NATO camouflage, olive, or sand and Oxide Red flatcars with M932 trucks painted in NATO camouflage and olive. Runner packs include four flatcars and eight M923 trucks produced by Z-Panzer. Flatcars feature metal wheelset and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Pennsylvania RR lightweight passenger cars. 4-bedroom, 4-compartment, 2-drawing-room sleeper (Pennsylvania in letterboard and Pullman sublettering: Imperial Lawn, Imperial Park, Imperial Point, Imperial Ridge, and Imperial Trail. Diner (nos. 4507 and 4511). Observation car (Mountain View and Tower View). United States Mail Railway Post Office (nos. 6595 and 6598).
Etched-metal stirrup steps, flush window glazing, AutoLatch couplers, and add-on details. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
I hope somebody will come up with a Siemens Charger loco in N scale. It would be in big demand from contemporary modelers since it is used by Amtrak and being delivered to commuter railroads as well.