Athearn Trains HO scale UP gas turbine The distinctive grid of air intakes on the sides of the body make Athearn’s new locomotive model immediately recognizable. The Union Pacific bought 10 gas-turbine-electric locomotives from General Electric between 1952 and 1953, putting them in charge of long-haul freights in the western Rocky Mountains. Athearn’s model is […]
Section: News & Reviews
Broadway Limited Imports N scale E8 diesel locomotive
Broadway Limited Imports N scale E8 diesel locomotive The rumble of 12-cylinder 567B engines and many other realistic sound effects highlight this Digital Command Control (DCC) sound-equipped E8 diesel in N scale from Broadway Limited Imports. The locomotive includes BLI’s new Paragon2 sound decoder and operates on DC and DCC layouts. Prototype. General Motors Electro-Motive […]
Micro-Trains N scale bay window caboose
Micro-Trains N scale bay window caboose Price: $32.85 ManufacturerMicro-Trains Line Co.P.O. Box 1200Talent, OR 97540www.micro-trains.com Era: 1980s Comments: The prototype for this N scale plastic model was one of the last cabooses purchased by the Southern Pacific Ry. in 1980. The model matches drawings in Freight Cars of the Southern Pacific, Volume 2: Cabooses by […]
Southern Car & Foundry HO scale two-compartment tank car
Southern Car & Foundry HO scale two-compartment tank car Price: $49, plus $7.50 shipping and handling for up to three kits ManufacturerSouthern Car & Foundry970 Sunshine Lane, Ste. DAltamonte Springs, FL 32714southerncarandfoundry.com Era: 1916 to 1960sComments: This well-detailed model of a Standard Tank Car Co. tank car fills two needs. There have been few replicas […]
Cripplebush Valley Models HO scale Cast rubber urban scenery
Cripplebrush Valley Models HO scale cast-rubber urban scenery Price: $20 (oil drums), $50 (urban outcrop) ManufacturerCripplebush Valley Models264 Saddlemire Hill Rd.Sloansville, NY 12160www.cripplebush.net Comments: Cast-rubber scenery details have been around for several years now, but most model rock formations that are found in nature. Cripplebush has introduced two castings that model urban industrial settings. The […]
Review: MTH O gauge Premier line Tropicana set
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF POWER COMPANY COAL TRAINS, there are only two firms that pop to my mind as having business-specific unit trains – fast freighters operated for United Parcel Service and Tropicana. And while a UPS train contains trailers with thousands of individual packages, the Tropicana Juice Train carries just one commodity: orange juice. […]
Review: O gauge RailKing line MP15AC by MTH
SWITCHERS HAVE AN ESSENTIAL PLACE IN PROTOTYPE RAILROADING and a venerable spot in model railroading. Switchers are used to move cars, build freight trains, and even make short freight hops and deliveries. The Electro-Motive Division’s MP15 series of 1,500-horsepower switchers (built 1974-87) is a mainstay of modern yard power. More than 400 units were built […]
Frateschi model HO scale 4500 Turntable
Frateschi model HO scale 4500 Turntable This is a nice looking turntable with good pit detail and molded in a gray plastic. The bridge is made to look like steel with wood ties and guide rails, it is molded in plastic. The bridge is 22cm or 8 and 5/8 inches long. There are a few […]
IMEX Model Company N scale trailer home models
IMEX Model Company N scale trailer home models Dennis Murphy We’re all looking for the most realism we can create when working with our “Train World.” This includes everything from the trains, the structures, and the scenery. And what do we use for a pattern for our miniature world? Well, real life of course! In […]
Atlas HO scale code 100 #8 Mark IV Turnout
Atlas offers number 8 HO scale turnouts with code 100 and code 83 rail. This review considers its appearance and functionality. Appearance On the plus side, the turnout is made of Nickel/Silver rail with black plastic ties which have molded spikes on every tie (the code 83 turnout comes with brown plastic ties). Simulated wood […]
M.T.H. HO scale 4-12-2 steam locomotive
M.T.H. HO scale 4-12-2 steam locomotive An HO model of the world’s largest rigid-wheelbase locomotive is available from M.T.H. Electric Trains. The HO 4-12-2 has realistic sounds and smoke that make it a lot of fun to operate, especially on a Digital Command Control (DCC) or M.T.H. Digital Command System layout. And the engine can […]
Walthers HO scale “Michigan” ore cars
Walthers HO scale “Michigan” ore cars Price: 12-car limited-run sets, $169.98 ManufacturerWm. K. Walthers Inc. P.O. Box 3039 Milwaukee, WI 53201 www.walthers.com Era: 1942 to present day Comments: These short ore cars were designed and built in large numbers to haul heavy loads of iron ore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Even though their 24-foot length […]