Electro-Motive Division FP7 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Atlantic Coast Line (black and yellow), Penn Central (black with red “P” on single unit, black with white “P” on two-packs), and Rock Island (maroon with yellow nose). Road-number-specific details, Blomberg B trucks, and etched-metal windshield wipers. Single FP7 (one road number): direct-current model, $189.98; with SoundTraxx dual-mode sound decoder, $289.98. FP7s two-packs (two sets available): direct-current models, $359.98; with SoundTraxx dual-mode sound decoder, $519.98. January 2015. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; British Columbia Ry. (dark blue); Chicago & North Western (one number in standard scheme, two with Operation Lifesaver lettering); BNSF Ry. (Heritage I, one number with red walkways, two with orange); Norfolk Southern (Operation Lifesaver 25th anniversary); and Union Pacific (two numbers with high-mounted number boards, one with low-mounted number boards). Three road numbers per paint scheme; also available undecorated (low number boards). Five-pole skew-wound motor with flywheels, Quick Plug (8- and 9-pin connectors) for Digital Command Control decoder, and all-wheel electrical pickup. $119.98. January 2015. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Electro-Motive Division SD45-2 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (“Kodachrome” scheme in four road numbers or American Revolution Bicentennial scheme); Erie Lackawanna (four numbers); CSX (gray, blue, and yellow); and Norfolk Southern (Conrail “Quality” patchout). Three numbers per scheme unless noted. Road-number-specific details, HT-C trucks with Timken bearings, and bi-directional constant lighting. Direct-current model, $189.98; with SoundTraxx dual-mode sound decoder, $289.98. January 2015. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Plymouth WLG-8 six-wheel gasoline switcher. Baltimore & Ohio, Canadian National, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Milwaukee Road, Pennsylvania Glass & Sand, Pittsburgh Coal, Plymouth Demonstrator, Pennsylvania RR, Rock Island, Union Pacific, U.S. Army Transportation Corp., West Side Lumber Co., and painted black or yellow but unlettered. One road number per scheme. Dual-mode decoder, die-cast metal construction, directional lighting, and Kadee no. 58 scale couplers. $149. Early 2015. Ready-to-run. Broadway Limited Imports, 386-673-8900, www.broadway-limited.com
HO scale freight cars
Assorted freight cars. Bessemer & Lake Erie 70-ton offset-side triple hopper; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Ry. or Virginian Ry. United States Ry. Administration 55-ton hopper ($15.98 each, Virginian three-pack $46.98); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 40-foot combination-door boxcar; Great Northern 40-foot double-sheathed refrigerator car ($17.98, three-pack $52.98); and Northern Pacific 40-foot PS-1 boxcar. $16.98 each unless noted. Injection-molded plastic kits with plastic wheelsets, metal weights, and Accumate couplers. Accurail, 630-365-6400, www.accurail.com
Pullman-Standard 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity three-bay covered hopper. CSX (single car or three-pack) and painted white, gray, or mineral red with data only. Injection-molded plastic kit with plastic wheelsets, metal weight, and Accumate couplers. $18.98 each, three-pack $55.98. Accurail, 630-365-6400, www.accurail.com
Gunderson Husky-Stack 48-foot well car. BNSF Ry. (circle-cross herald), CSX Intermodal, Trailer Train, and TTX (old and new logos). Three road numbers per paint scheme. Separately applied brake rigging and brake wheel, metal wheelsets, and McHenry couplers. $24.98. January 2015. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Pullman-Standard 50-foot exterior-post boxcar. CSX, Green Mountain, Guilford/Boston & Maine (white), Hartford & Slocomb (New Orleans Public Belt RR patchout), Milwaukee Road, and Union Pacific (with Chicago & North Western reporting marks). Three road numbers per paint scheme. Separately applied grab irons, brake wheel, and underbody details; McHenry couplers; and 33” metal wheelsets. $19.98. January 2015. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Trinity 5,161-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper. AGP, BNSF Ry. (post-2005 herald), Borax, Cargill, CHS Inc., and Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. Three road numbers per paint scheme. Ten- or 12-panel body as appropriate, factory-installed wire grab irons, and etched-metal running boards. $39.98. January 2015. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Association of American Railroads 1937 40-foot boxcar. New paint schemes: Canadian Pacific (“Spans the World” scheme); Detroit & Mackinac; Genesee & Wyoming; Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis (Dixieland scheme); New York Central (green); and Union Pacific (with Oregon-Washington RR & Navigation Co. reporting marks). Three road numbers per scheme. Injection-molded plastic kit, one-piece underframe with brake detail, and molded ladders and grab irons. $18.95. Fourth quarter 2014. Trainman series. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, www.atlasrr.com
Gunderson Maxi-IV three-unit articulated well car. BNSF Ry. (post-2005 scheme), Pacer Stacktrain, and TTX (“Forward Thinking” logo). Two road numbers per paint scheme. Separately applied brake appliances, 33” and 38” metal wheelsets, and patterned running boards. $105. North American Container System or Swift 53-foot container two-packs, $30. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9500, www.katousa.com
Rotary snowplow with Electro-Motive Division F7B diesel locomotive. Burlington Northern (oxide red); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF Ry. (post-2005 scheme); and Southern Pacific. RP-25 contour metal wheelsets, clear window glazing, and McHenry knuckle couplers. Rotary blades powered by electric motor and drive system. F7B is unpowered. $86.98. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Amtrak Amfleet I 84-seat coach. Phase 1 (one or two arrows), 2 (standard or deluxe only), 3, 4, and 4b. Simulated stainless steel finish, new body and trucks, and factory-installed grab irons. Standard models, $74.98 to $79.98 each; with factory-installed light-emitting diode interior lights, $89.98; deluxe model with interior lighting and factory-installed figures (phase 2 scheme only, five road numbers), $120 each. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Amtrak 85-foot Superliner I coach, sleeper, diner, lounge, and coach-baggage. Amtrak (phase 3 or 4b), Amtrak California (coach only), and Amtrak Surfliner (coach only). Simulated stainless steel finish, detailed interior, factory-installed wire grab irons, tinted window glazing, and car name and number decals. Standard, $79.98; with factory-installed light-emitting diode interior lighting, $89.98. August through December 2014. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Amtrak 85-foot Superliner II coach, sleeper, diner, Sightseer lounge, and transition sleeper. Amtrak (Phase 4 or 4b). Simulated stainless steel finish, detailed interior, factory-installed wire grab irons, tinted window glazing, and car name and number decals. Standard, $79.98; with factory-installed light-emitting diode interior lighting, $89.98. August through December 2014. Ready-to-run. WalthersProto. Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 414-527-0770, www.walthers.com
Deuce’s Bike Shop. Injection-molded plastic kit with simulated metal roof, cornice detail, motorcycles, dry transfers, and printed window glazing. $69.99. July 2014. Landmark Structures Building Kits. Woodland Scenics, 573-346-5555, www.woodlandscenics.com
Union Switch & Signal H-2 single-head searchlight block signal. Factory-assembled and painted plastic and brass model with straight ladder and operating signal head with three light-emitting diodes. $34.95. BLMA Models, 562-712-7085, www.blmamodels.com
Barrel rack. Injection-molded plastic kit. Includes 24 barrels. $19.99. N.J. International, 480-219-4135, www.njinternational.com
General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive. BNSF Ry. (post-2005 scheme), Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CSX (dark blue and yellow), and Union Pacific. Two road numbers per paint scheme. Five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels, illuminated ditch lights, and factory-printed number boards. Compatible with Train Control Systems K1D4 Digital Command Control decoder. $120. Ready-to-run. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9500, www.katousa.com
N scale freight cars
Gunderson Husky-Stack 48-foot well car. New road numbers: BNSF Ry. (circle-cross herald), CSX Intermodal, Trailer Train, and TTX (old and new logos). Three road numbers per paint scheme. Separately applied brake rigging and brake wheel, metal wheelsets, and screw-mounted trucks. $19.98. January 2015. Ready-to-Roll. Athearn Trains, 310-763-7140, www.athearn.com
Unitrack modular electric turntable. Features fitted 10-degree track sections. Tracks can be added without extra wiring or soldering. $299. Extension track sets (straight and curved), power feed control switch, and power direction control switch available separately. Kato USA Inc., 847-781-9500, www.katousa.com
O scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Division SW-series diesel locomotives. New paint schemes. SW8: Boston & Maine, Canadian National, and Rock Island. SW9: Indiana Harbor Belt and Maryland & Pennsylvania. SW900: Reading Co. and Raritan River (limited edition). Two road numbers per paint scheme. Sound decoder; die-cast metal chassis, truck sideframes, and hood; see-through steps and footboards; and detailed cab interior. $469.95. First quarter 2015. Ready-to-run. Atlas O, 908-687-9590, www.atlaso.com
Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Can motor with dual flywheels, directional light-emitting diode headlights, and prototype-specific details. $169. Ready-to-run. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, www.americanzline.com
33,000-gallon-capacity “whale belly” liquefied petroleum gas tank car. New paint scheme: Delta Gas. Two car numbers available. Metal wheelsets and AutoLatch couplers. $41. Ready-to-run. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, www.americanzline.com
Electronics/controls
16-bit Preferred sound decoder. Number 0001930 (drop-in decoder for Kato Electro-Motive Division GP35, GP38-2, F40PH, SD45, SD70, SD80; Alco RS-2; and General Electric C44-9W and P42). Features diesel engine sounds, 20 air horns, and eight bells. Ditch lights (independent of headlights) can remain constant or flash in an alternating pattern. Includes speaker and baffle. Price to be announced. Model Rectifier Corp., 732-225-2100, www.modelrectifier.com
16-bit Preferred mini sound decoders. Number 0001717 (diesel) or 0001718 (steam). For small and mid-sized HO scale locomotives. Decoders measure 5.5mm x 10.5mm x 30.5mm. Features 28 functions, six prime mover sounds, 22 horns, and eight bells. Price to be announced. Model Rectifier Corp., 732-225-2100, www.modelrectifier.com
Decals
Assorted decals. Soo Line and Electro-Motive Division leasing ex-Milwaukee Road “bandit” diesels, Southern Pacific ore and copper concentrate gondolas, Southern Ry. gondolas and wood-chip hoppers, and United States Army and United States Air Force diesels and DODX cabooses. HO scale, $8; N scale, $6.50. Microscale Industries, 714-593-1422, www.microscale.com
Books
Plans and instructions for Russ Simpson structure kits. Volcano, Calif., assay office; Rio Grande Jack’s Cabin water tank, Hillside water column, bunk house, and Allison, Colo., depot; Gold King Mine head structure, boiler house, and ore chutes; Mich-Cal portable camp house; West Side camp house; NPC trestle culvert at Tomales; P&NI Diamond Springs water tank; and Mary Harrison Mine head structure. Each plan is $4 plus $3 shipping. The Underground Railway Press, P.O. Box 814MR, Brevard, NC 28712-0814
The Twilight of Steam. By Brian Solomon. Features steam locomotives across the United States and Canada in their final years. Photos include detailed captions about the engine and the location. 134 images. Hardcover, 192 pages. $50. Voyageur Press, 612-344-8156, www.voyageurpress.com