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 April 28, 2022.
HO scale locomotives
Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive. 1941 with as-delivered aftercooler and 25-C-100 coal tender in three road numbers plus painted black and silver but unlettered, 1944 with Wilson aftercooler and 25-C-400 coal tender in two numbers plus painted black but unlettered, no. 4014 (“The Big Boy Tour” excursion with standard finish and Promontory Excursion with gloss finish), and fictional schemes (two-tone gray with aluminum trim and two-tone gray with yellow trim, one number per scheme). Dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder; die-cast metal boiler, tender body, and chassis; and factory-installed crew figures. $869.99. June 2022. Broadway Limited Imports, 386-673-8900, broadway-limited.com
HO scale Electro-Motive Division E8A, E9A, and E9B diesel locomotives. E8A: Erie (two-tone green, four road numbers), New York Central (experimental green), Pennsylvania RR (late simplified scheme), Rock Island (as-delivered “Rocket” scheme), Southern Ry. (black “tuxedo” scheme, four numbers), and Wabash (“Bluebird” scheme, three numbers). E9A and E9B: Milwaukee Road (single A unit and A-B sets). Two numbers per scheme unless noted. Two different sides (with and without lift lug covers), single- or dual-headlight configurations, and dual-mode ESU LokSound decoder. A unit, $356.96; A-B sets, $674.95. Produced by Rapido Trains, available exclusively from Heartland Hobby Wholesale, 800-713-8274, hhwonline.com
General Electric EP-5 electric locomotive. New York, New Haven & Hartford (as-delivered scheme with and without vents in three road numbers each, experimental yellow without vents in one number, and repaint with vents in four numbers) and Penn Central (black with vents in three numbers and New Haven repaint in one number). Car body, pantograph, and hardware variations; detailed cab interior; and complete lighting package (headlights, class lights, ground lights, and cab interior lighting). Direct-current model, $349.95; with dual-mode ESU LokSound sound decoder, $459.95. Rapido Trains, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
HO scale freight cars
Depressed-center flatcar. TTX (1995 as-delivered scheme and 2017 new logo repaint, four road numbers each), Erie Lackawanna (1974 as-delivered scheme, three numbers), Norfolk & Western (1982 as-delivered scheme, three numbers), Norfolk Southern (2007 repaint, two numbers), and Penn Central (1972 repaint, three numbers). Undecorated kit also available. Wire grab irons, CNC-machined metal wheel sets, and GSI-style perforated deck. $44.99. Produced by ExactRail, available exclusively from TrainLife, 801-226-1909, TrainLife.com
O scale locomotives
Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive. Montana Rail Link (blue, white, and red “Essential Workers” scheme); BNSF Ry (Heritage III, two road numbers); Canadian Pacific (Army, Air Force, and World War II military schemes); Ferromex (red, gray, and white); Kansas City Southern (Southern Belle “Essential Workers” scheme); Norfolk Southern (Thoroughbred scheme with Positive Train Control antennas); and Union Pacific (“Building America” scheme, without flag in one number and with United States flag). One number per scheme unless noted. Light-emitting diode lighting, Digital Command Control/Digital Command System decoder, and ProtoSmoke diesel exhaust. $649.95. Prices are subject to change due to board availability and cost. Fourth quarter 2022. Premier line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
O scale freight cars
Pullman-Standard 40-foot PS-1 boxcar. Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (blue and white); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (brown, white, and black, four road numbers); Chicago & Illinois Midland (green, black, and white); Lehigh & New England (brown, white, and black); Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis (brown, yellow, and white); and New York Central (brown, white, and black). Two numbers per scheme unless noted. ABS body, positionable doors, and metal wheelsets. $84.95. Fourth quarter 2022. Premier line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot capacity high-side three-bay covered hopper. Red River Valley & Western (Oxide Red); Burlington Northern (Cascade Green, logo over three lines scheme); CSX (tan); Chicago & Eastern Illinois (gray); Montana Rail Link (gray); Equity Grain (gray and black with TLDX report markings); J.W. Flammer Co. Inc. (yellow and black with TLDX report markings); and Stetson Chemicals (gray with TLDX report markings). Two road numbers per scheme. ABS body, metal wheelsets, and Kadee-compatible coupler mounting pads. $89.95. Fourth quarter 2022. Premier line. Atlas Model Railroad Co., 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com
Z scale locomotives
Alco PA-1 and PB-1 diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: New York Central (two-tone gray lightning stripe, two single A units and two A-B sets). Prototype-specific details, directional light-emitting diode headlights, and blackened metal wheels. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive. New paint scheme: BNSF Ry. (Heritage I). Two road numbers. Prototype-specific details, traction tires, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Z scale freight cars
General American 1917 8,000-gallon tank car. New paint scheme: F. Pirrone & Sons (silver and black with SHPX report markings). One road number. Injection-molded plastic with vertical brake staff, metal wheels, and AutoLatch couplers. American Z Line, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com
Books
People Moving People: The History of VIA Rail Canada. By Kevin J. Holland. Chronicles VIA Rail Canada’s history, operations, and equipment over more than four decades since the company’s creation in the mid-1970s. Includes foreword by the former federal Minister of Transport Hon. David Collenette. Hardcover. 288 pages. $79.95. Rapido Trains Inc., 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com
