National Train Show 2009 preliminary report

Bachmann HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 articulated-steam-locomotive with VC12 Vanderbilt tender

Once again, Model Railroader magazine is reporting from the National Train Show, which this year is being held in Hartford, Conn., from July 10-12. What follows is a list of new products being announced by model railroad manufacturers exhibiting at the show. This is a preliminary list, including items revealed to Model Railroader before the […]

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Mantua HO scale Union Pacific 4-6-2 Pacific

David Schoedel photo This is a very nice engine made by Mantua. It has a black die-cast metal shell and a working headlight. It is very heavy so naturally, it pulls a ton! It also has electrical pickups in the tender and a working valve gear. It does unfortunately take a lot of power to […]

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Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 Steam engine Southern #5224

I recently purchased this product, and to be honest, it is one of the best 2-10-2 models ever made by Bachmann. The model features directional lighting and is equipped with a DCC decoder for compatibility with a DCC Controller. It also has unique drive rod connections on the wheels. I recently gave it a break-in […]

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Kato N Scale SD70ACe Rio Grande Heritage

I just received my new (and long anticipated) Kato N scale SD70 ACe D&RGW Heritage locomotive. I am truly impressed with the detail. The locomotive has flawless paintwork, crisp decaling and runs like a dream with the Kato five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. This locomotive comes prototypically accurate with bolsterless non-radial HTSC truck and […]

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Aristo-Craft Revolution system

Aristo-Craft Revolution system

Kevin Strong Wireless control system Aristo-Craft Trains698 S. 21st St.Irvington NJ 07111Web site: www.aristocraft.comPrice: $300; additional receivers, $105 2.4GHz wireless control system for use with track or battery power; receiver rated for 5 amps continuous, 8 amps peak power Pros: Can be used with either track or battery power; simple installation (plug-and-play in some instances; […]

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Official Rules for Model Railroader’s photo contest!

2007 photo contest Grand Prize winner Richard Bourgerie Enter Model Railroader’s photo contest! Show off your modeling and photography skills, and you could win up to $750 in Model Railroader magazine’s photo contest! You don’t have to be a professional to win, just have an eye for images that capture the action and creativity of […]

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Bachmann HO scale 44- and 70-ton switchers

Bachmann HO scale 44- and 70-ton switchers

Bachmann HO scale 44- and 70-ton switchers Price: $75 (44-ton), $69 (70-ton)Manufacturer: Bachmann TrainsRoad names: 44 ton: Boston & Maine, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Pennsylvania. Painted/unlettered versions: Yellow with black stripes (pictured), black, green with yellow handrails. 70 ton: Bethlehem Steel, Louisville & Nashville, Southern Pacific, all two road numbers each. Painted but unlettered […]

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Bachmann HO scale 45-ton switcher

Bachmann HO scale 45-ton switcher

Bachmann HO scale 45-ton switcher Operating siderods and smooth slow-speed performance highlight this HO scale General Electric 45-ton industrial switcher. Part of Bachmann’s Spectrum series, the HO 45-tonner features die-cast metal construction and a dual-mode Digital Command Control decoder that operates on DC and DCC layouts. Prototype. General Electric built 475 45-ton switchers for North […]

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Summit Models HO scale Jack in the Box

Summit Models HO scale Jack in the Box

Summit Models HO scale Jack in the Box Price: $69.95ManufacturerSummit USA LLC512 Ford St.Lake Charles, LA 70601www.summit-customcuts.comEra: presentComments: Nothing says modern America like fast food, and now you can have a contemporary burger joint on your HO scale layout. Jack in the Box is a laser-milled styrene structure kit that includes drive-through menu boards, clear […]

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Atlas O EMD GP7 diesel locomotive

Atlas O EMD GP7 diesel locomotive

Atlas O EMD GP7 diesel locomotive Here’s a brand new model of Electro-Motive Division’s classic GP7 road switcher, and it’s a beauty. It combines the utilitarian look of the prototype with a powerful mechanism that’s suitable for nearly any assignment. Manufactured by Atlas O, this well-detailed locomotive is offered ready-to-run with a factory-installed QSI sound […]

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M.T.H. Electric Trains HO scale 60-foot flatcar

M.T.H. Electric Trains HO scale 60-foot flatcar

M.T.H. Electric Trains HO scale 60-foot flatcar A nicely detailed reproduction of a 60-foot flatcar is M.T.H. Electric Trains’ first entry into the HO scale freight car market. The MTH car is based on a prototype Pullman-Standard built in the 1960s and ’70s for Trailer Train, and accurately matches photos and dimensions printed in the […]

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Athearn DCC-sound-equipped N scale F45

Athearn DCC-sound-equipped N scale F45

Athearn DCC-sound-equipped N scale F45 Price: $199.98ManufacturerAthearn Trains1550 Glenn Curtiss St.Carson, CA 90746www.athearn.comEra: 1966 to 1990sComments: I reviewed the DC-only Athearn N scale F45 and FP45 in the February 2009 issue. This DCC version includes a dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control decoder. The decoder and a single downward-facing speaker are on top of the […]

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