With its small drivers, open space under the boiler, and European look, a “Russian” Decapod 2-10-0 is very recognizable to most steam aficionados. We first reviewed Bachmann’s Spectrum series model of this distinctive prototype back in the April 2002 issue. Featuring the same high level of detail, this latest release of the Russian Decapod features […]
Section: Staff Reviews
WalthersMainline HO scale EMD SD50 diesel
WalthersMainline HO scale EMD SD50 diesel Electro-Motive Division’s SD50 diesel locomotive was the successor to its wildly popular SD40-2. Now a model of this big 3,500-hp brute equipped with an optional Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU) dual-mode decoder is available from Walthers Mainline for your HO scale layout. The prototype. General Motors sold the first SD50s […]
Rapido Trains HO scale P-S New Haven diner
Rapido Trains HO scale P-S New Haven diner Rapido Trains has added a 1949 Pullman-Standard streamlined dining car to its ever-growing line of New York, New Haven & Hartford HO scale passenger equipment. The injection-molded plastic and metal car features more than 200 parts and is detailed inside and out. The prototype. In December 1945, […]
Atlas N scale 4,180-cubic-foot-capacity Airslide covered hopper
Atlas N scale 4,180-cubic-foot-capacity Airslide covered hopper Underbody details include separate, factory-applied outlet gate piping, hopper outlets, underframe slope braces, and the cylinder/brake assembly. Atlas Model Railroad Co. has added a new model to its expanding N scale lineup, the General American 4,180- cubic-foot capacity Airslide covered hopper. The model, based on a mid-1960s […]
Micro-Trains N scale heavyweight coach
Micro-Trains N scale heavyweight coach Removing the heavy-weight coach’s press-fit roof reveals a one-piece interior with seat and partition detail. A workhorse New York Central heavyweight coach is now available in N scale from Micro-Trains Line Co. Our review sample is accurately detailed and decorated for NYC coach no. 2347. The prototype no. 2347 was […]
Sneak peek: Broadway Limited Imports HO scale streamlined PRR K4s
Broadway Limited Imports HO scale streamlined PRR K4 The detailed tender includes an operating backup light. The detailed cab interior includes painted crew figures. Broadway Limited Imports Paragon3 HO scale streamlined Pennsylvania RR K4s tender front Broadway Limited Imports Paragon3 HO scale streamlined PRR K4s steam locomotive It was a lucky day for the Pennsy […]
Rapido Trains HO scale MLW RS-18 diesel
The model features separate handrails and other detail parts. For the first time in plastic an accurate, roadname- and roadnumber-specific version of a Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) RS-18 is available as a ready-to-run, HO scale plastic model. The Canadian road switcher is available with a factory-installed LokSound 5 dual-mode decoder, featuring sound files recorded from […]
ScaleTrains.com HO scale GE C39-8 diesel
ScaleTrains.com HO scale GE C39-8 diesel An HO scale General Electric C39-8 diesel-electric locomotive gets the ScaleTrains.com Rivet Counter treatment. As with the N scale version that I reviewed in the August 2019 issue, this HO scale locomotive features roadname- and road number-specific detail. Our review sample also came equipped with an ESU LokSound V.5 decoder […]
MRC Throttlepack 9950
MRC Throttlepack 9950 The green plug on the back of the cabinet features terminals for track power and accessories. The Throttlepack 9950 isn’t a new face in the Model Rectifier Corp. power pack lineup. However, the train controller, designed for N, HO, O, and G scales, now has the ability to operate Digital Command Control […]
Walthers 40-foot HO single-sheathed boxcar
Walthers 40-foot HO single-sheathed boxcar Modelers of mid-20th century railroading have a new piece of rolling stock to add to their fleets in the Walthers Mainline 40-foot American Railroad Association (ARA) standard single-sheathed boxcar. This ready-to-run car is modernized with AB brakes and has metal ends and doors. An adaptable standard. The 1923 ARA XM-1 […]
Atlas Trainkids Amtrak Acela passenger train set
Atlas Model Railroad Co. hopes to recruit a new generation of hobbyists into model railroading with its new Trainkids line. The first offering under this new brand is a passenger train set inspired by Amtrak’s high-speed Northeast Corridor train, the Acela Express. The set comes with a battery-powered locomotive/first-class car set, two more passenger cars, […]
Expanded review: Kato USA N scale Chicago & North Western Peninsula 400
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