News & Products for the week of June 24th 2024
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. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of June 24th 2024.
HO scale locomotives
Athearn Alco RS-3
Price: Direct-current model, $179.99; with DCC and sound, $249.99
Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com
Alco RS-3 features:
- Large or small fuel tank per prototype
- Metal grab irons
- See-through etched metal radiator fan and cab windows
Release date: October 2025
Road names: Alton & Southern, Long Island RR, Missouri Pacific, Southern Ry., Susquehanna, and Western Maryland.
HO scale freight cars
WalthersMainline Pullman Standard PS-2 2893 three-bay covered hopper
Price: $31.98
Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com
Pullman Standard PS-2 2893 three-bay covered hopper features:
- Separately applied details including round hatches, walkways, end platforms, and brake gear
Release date: Summer 2024
Road names: Atlantic Coast Line, Burlington Northern, Chicago & North Western, Conrail, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and Soo Line.
Accurail USRA twin hopper kit
Price: $19.98
Manufacturer: Accurail, P.O. Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119; 630-365-1173; accurail.com
USRA twin hopper kit features:
- Injection-molded plastic construction
- Includes steel weight, plastic trucks and wheelsets, and Accumate couplers
Release date: August 2024
Road name: Tennessee Central
Accurail 50-foot exterior post steel boxcar kit
Price: $20.98
Manufacturer: Accurail, P.O. Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119; 630-365-1173; accurail.com
50-foot exterior post steel boxcar kit features:
- Injection-molded plastic construction
- Includes steel weight, plastic trucks and wheelsets, and Accumate couplers
Release date: August 2024
Road name: Missouri Pacific
Z scale freight cars
American Z Line wide vision caboose
Price: Contact manufacturer
Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com
Wide vision caboose features:
- Roller bearing trucks
- AutoLatch couplers
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Union Pacific
American Z Line heavyweight combine
Price: Contact manufacturer
Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com
Heavyweight combine features:
- New tooling
- Available with two- or three-axle trucks as appropriate
Release date: To be announced
Road names: Canadian National
News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more. Model railroad product news may include HO, N, O, S, and Z scales. Product release dates and prices will vary according to each manufacturer. If you are a manufacturer and have new product releases, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cody.grivno@firecrown.com and Associate Editor Bryson Sleppy at bryson.sleppy@firecrown.com for more information.
I have to say I find this weekly column very sparse, considering the volatility of today’s model railroading market. Note that a competitor, Model Railroad News, contains 25 – 30 PAGES of new items each month, with more pictures and detail. Perhaps this is one area that will be strengthened by the new owner in the coming months.