MR Insider: November 2016

turkey walking around a parking lot

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page From turkey to trains, there’s plenty to be thankful for in November! This month on Model Railroader Video Plus, host Jenny Maaske shows you can enjoy plenty of both, plus a feast of fun videos. As the autumn leaves begin to fall, follow […]

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New toy train products from the January 2017 issue

44tonner_1

44 TONNER TIMES TWO: Williams by Bachmann has added two road names to its list of General Electric 44-ton locomotives: nos. 23106 Canadian National and 23107 Union Pacific. The O gauge diesels require O-27 or wider-diameter curves and feature die-cast metal trucks and frame, dual flywheel-equipped motors, scale dimensions, and the True Blast Plus sound […]

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MTH HO scale EMD GP38-2

MTH HO scale GP38-2

MTH HO scale GP38-2 diesel locomotive The HO scale locomotive’s die-cast metal frame encloses the motor, flywheels, and gear towers. The printed-circuit board is attached to the top. The MTH Ready-2-Rail model’s molded detail is well-defined and matches the prototype. The handrails are flexible plastic to resist breaking. A four-axle road switcher that would look […]

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Bachmann N scale passenger cars

Bachmann Trains N scale passenger cars

The new Bachmann N scale streamlined passenger cars include (from bottom, clockwise): a baggage car, observation car, and coach. The N scale streamlined observation car features a rounded end. All the cars feature one-piece detailed interiors (coach shown). The coach and observation car have overhead LED lighting. If it’s time to streamline the passenger service […]

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Quick Look: ANE Model Lococruiser DCC decoder

ANE Model Lococruiser DCC decoder

ANE Model Lococruiser DCC decoder Price: $28.95 Manufacturer ANE Model Ltd. Distributed by Heartland Hobby Wholesale 6929 Seward Ave. Lincoln, NE 68507 www.hhwonline.com Comments: For those looking for a straightforward to use, easy to install Digital Command Control (DCC) motor decoder, the Lococruiser line from ANE Model provides some reliable options. I tested the LC-201 […]

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Quick Look: Rivarossi HO scale 50-foot boxcar

Rivarossi HO scale 50-foot boxcar

Rivarossi HO scale 50-foot boxcar Price: $19.99; four-pack, $69.99 Manufacturer Hornby Hobbies 3900-C2 Industry Dr. E Fife, WA 98424-1829 www.hornbyamerica.com Road names. Sliding-door car: Great Northern; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Illinois Central; and Louisville & Nashville. Plug-door car available in five road names. Era: 1963 to 1976 (as decorated) Comments: Hornby Hobbies has released newly […]

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Video: Trainfest 2016

2016 video of Trainfest show

James Wright of the JLWII2000 YouTube Channel visited Trainfest 2016 held at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Check out highlights from the show, including new model railroading products, interviews with model train manufacturers, and some of the model train layouts. You’ll also get a look at the Model Railroader […]

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Video: Trainfest 2016

2016 video of Trainfest show

James Wright of the JLWII2000 YouTube Channel visited Trainfest 2016 held at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Check out highlights from the show, including new model railroading products, interviews with model train manufacturers, and some of the model train layouts. You’ll also get a look at the Model Railroader […]

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Trainfest 2016 show report

Athearn Trains HO scale General Electric ES44DC

Athearn Trains HO scale General Electric ES44DC HO scale locomotives General Electric ES44DC. BNSF Ry. (Heritage II and III schemes), CSX (primer gray and as-delivered schemes), Norfolk Southern (primer gray and horsehead silhouette). Four road numbers per scheme (primer gray in two numbers each). Detailed cab interior, illuminated ditch lights, and railroad-specific cab detail. Direct-current […]

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Obituaries: Jerry Williams 1937-2016

Jerome (Jerry) M. Williams, founder of Williams Reproductions, died November 1, 2016. He was born March 1, 1937. In 1969, he and Fred Mill founded Classic Models Corporation, producing new standard-gauge model trains. Several years later he parted with Mills to form Williams Reproductions Limited, which made reproductions of popular tinplate Ives and Lionel models. […]

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Meet members of the Model Railroader staff at Trainfest 2016

 Trainfest, America’s largest operating model railroad show, will be held on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, 2016, from 9 AM to 5 PM at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis. The show will feature more than 70 model railroad displays and more than 100 hobby manufacturers and […]

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