Kevin Strong Vital statistics 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, live-steam East Broad Top Mikado Accucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $3,499 (live steam); $2,999 (electric)Website: www.accucraft.com All metal, live steam, 1:20.3-scale model of East Broad Top Nº 12; minimum radius, 4’; butane fired; sight glass; water pump in tender; fully sprung drivers; working Walschaerts valve […]
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Kevin Strong Vital statistics Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motorsUnionville DepotE-mail: queries@unionvilledepot.com Price: SC-11 1-coil (2-wire) switch machine controller, $39; LP-10 laser pointer, $18Website: www.unionvilledepot.com Pros: Simple installation and operationCons: Difficult for laser to register on the controller in sunlight; circuit board not weatherproof If you’ve got switches on your railroad, you need some […]
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Kevin Strong Vital statistics Re-gear kit for Bachmann K-27R and K Railroad Products16722 Dakota Dr.Leavenworth KS 66048Price: $140 Website: www.randkrailroadproducts.com Add-on gearbox for Bachmann K-27; requires disassembly and reassembly of engine; motor must be sent in to be fitted with new gearbox Pros: Robust construction; smooth operation allows for very controlled speeds on a variety […]
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Cab units once roamed North America in epic buffalo-like herds, hauling freight and passengers from places like Syracuse and Montpelier to Cheyenne and Cucamonga. Whether they hailed from the forges of Alco, Baldwin, or Fairbanks-Morse, cab units were generally seen as the last vestige of the art deco era of streamlining. And no diesel was […]
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Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive This N scale locomotive is a replica of a steam engine originally designed as a humble helper, but which distinguished itself as an indispensable worker in World War I. The Bachmann Spectrum series N scale United States Railroad Administration Light 2-10-2 comes equipped with a Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
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Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP9 diesel locomotive With separate parts such as dual headlight clusters, this HO scale GP9 from Athearn is superdetailed out of the box. The Athearn Genesis locomotive model is available with a dual-mode SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. The prototype. General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division introduced the 1,750-hp GP9 […]
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Price: $54.99 (two-pack) ManufacturerHornby America, Inc.3900-C2 Industry Drive EastFife, WA 98424hornbyamerica.com Era: early 1900s to 1950s Comments: Separately applied acetal plastic detail parts and a die-cast metal body highlight this re-release of the Rivarossi HO scale skeleton log cars from Hornby America. The separate parts include K-type air brake equipment, air hoses, and a brake […]
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A void in the world of HO scale covered hoppers has been filled with this latest model from ExactRail. The firm is offering a ready-to-run Magor Car Corp. 4,750-cubic-foot-capacity hopper in its Platinum Series. The injection-molded plastic model has a one-piece body with a separately applied roof, hatch covers, and discharge gates. The model features […]
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Price: $54.95 ManufacturerAtlas O378 Florence Ave.Hillside, NJ 07205atlaso.com Road names: BNSF (post-2005 herald), Chicago & North Western, Family Lines (Louisville & Nashville reporting marks), Illinois Central Gulf, Illinois Terminal, Soo Line. Also available undecorated. Era: 1972 to present Comments: O scale modelers can add modern-day grain hauling to their railroads with these Pullman-Standard 4,750-cubic-foot capacity […]
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This 4 x 13-foot layout is built in three sections. Trailer wiring harnesses connect the sections and 2-inch thick styrofoam was used as the structural surface material. […]
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