MTH O gauge Leland-Detroit monorail

THIS “RETROVILLE” MONORAIL from MTH is a hoot. It had me recalling an old TV show where a character from the past ends up in the 21st century. He exclaims, “Where are the flying cars? We were promised flying cars!” Well, we were also promised jet backpacks, robot maids, and, of course, monorails. Seven years […]

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The right smoke fluid for toy trains

Even a small steamer can crank out a nice flow of smoke, so buy the right fluid and don’t try to create a home brew smoke fluid. Q: I recently bought a Williams steamer, and it came with several warnings stating to use only Williams smoke fluid and no other. Well, none of my engines […]

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InterMountain Railway Co. HO Caswell gondola

InterMountain Railway Co. HO Caswell gondola

InterMountain Railway Co. HO Caswell gondola Introduction of this Caswell drop-bottom gondola in HO scale is a big event for Santa Fe modelers. Few freight cars are as closely associated with one major railroad as are these composite (wood and steel) general-service gondolas with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. InterMountain can take credit for […]

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An MR quick look: HO scale weathered boxcars

Athearn HO scale weathered boxcars

Athearn HO scale weathered boxcars Price: $27.98 Manufacturer Athearn 1550 Glenn Curtiss St. Carson, CA 90746 www.athearn.comDescription: ready-to-run plastic model Comments: Factory-weathered freight cars are now available in HO scale as part of Athearn’s Genesis series. We reviewed a smooth-side 50-foot boxcar lettered for Missouri Pacific no. 782043 and an exterior post 50-foot boxcar lettered […]

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PIKO Spielwaren Ltd wireless DCC system

PIKO Spielwaren Ltd. wireless DCC system

PIKO Spielwaren Ltd. wireless DCC system PIKO of Germany has introduced an entry-level Digital Command Control (DCC) system that features infrared wireless operation. The Digi 1 system comes with a wireless remote, receiver base station, and two decoders. It’s intended for a model railroader who wants to operate two or three locomotives at a time. […]

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Walthers HO scale EMD F7 locomotives

Walthers HO EMD F7

Walthers HO EMD F7 A powerful ready-to-run HO scale model of Electro-Motive Division’s (EMD) popular F7 diesel locomotive is now part of the Proto 2000 series from Walthers. The model faithfully captures the streamlined appearance of the classic mid-century locomotive. By the numbers. Electro-Motive Division manufactured the F7s between February 1949 and December 1953. During […]

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A large-scale layout for San Diego’s Children’s Hospital

San Diego Children's hospital layout

A whimsical train makes its way past alarming mountains of orange, red and purple, on its way to more pleasant and soothing scenery. Bob Treat The character and colors of the scratchbuilt structures are in keeping with the overall concept. Bob Treat The engine crosses the waterfall on a rickety trestle. The rainbow marks the […]

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The Woodland Railway

The railway at a glance Name: Woodland Railway Size of railroad: 4000 sq ft; 20′ x 100′ in woods, 20′ x 100′ in side yard Scale: 1:22.5 Gauge: 45mm Theme: Freight operations & fantasy Era: 1930s Age: 25 years Motive power: Steam and early diesel; Aristo-Craft, LGB, Bachmann Length of mainline: 700′ Maximum gradient: 6% […]

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The L&R Railroad

The railway at a glance Name: L&R Railway Size of railroad: 110′ x 25′ Scale: Mixed Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Theme: Countryside flower beds Age: 11 years Motive power: LGB Mogul, Unitah Mallet, F7 (two A units and one B); Aristo-Craft Alco RS-3; Bachmann Climax and Shay Length of mainline: 250′ Maximum gradient: 0% Type […]

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The Kaweah Box & Barrel Co. and its Sequoia Valley Railroad

black model steam locomotive on garden railway

The railroad at a glance Name: Kaweah Box & Barrel Company RR and Sequoia Valley Railroad Scale: 15mm=1′ (1:20.3) Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Size: 50′ x 90′ (around the perimeter and into the front yard) Theme: Narrow-gauge short line and industrial Period: 1917 Railroad height: Ground level to two feet Track: Llagas Creek code-250 flex […]

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