Kato N Electro-Motive Corp. NW2 Kato’s new N scale switch engine is an accurate representation of a pre-World War II Electro-Motive Corp. NW2. The ready-to-run model includes cab interior details, thin cross-section handrails, and a newly designed and very compact drive mechanism that performs well at low speed. Diesels come of age. The switch engine […]
Micro-Trains Z scale turnouts Turnouts with North American tie-spacing, a 490mm (19.3″) radius diverging route, and built-in road-bed are now available for those who model in Z. Available in left- and right-hand versions, these new manual turnouts give Z scalers an easy way to add to their layouts. A versatile track system. Like other components […]
Atlas Trainman HO Alco RS-36 diesel The Atlas Trainman RS-36 is a solid performer that faithfully captures the appearance of the Alco prototype. The ready-to-run model features a new body shell but uses a traditional five-pole skew-wound motor found in other Atlas engines. The firm also offers an RS-32 in its Trainman line. The model […]
Micro-Trains N scale test car Price: $13.95ManufacturerMicro-Trains Line Co.P.O. Box 1200Talent, OR 97540www.micro-trains.comDescription: plastic ready-to-run N scale test carComments: Modelers in N scale now have an excellent scale test car. These cars helped calibrate scales during car loading. Our sample came decorated in Baltimore & Ohio/CSX livery. All lettering, including the smallest stencils, is straight […]
Summit USA HO scale strip mall structure kit Modern-era modelers can now add a strip mall to their layouts without taking up much space thanks to Summit USA’s new low-relief structure kit. The laser-milled styrene building captures the look of malls commonly found throughout the United States and even includes signs for such chain stores […]
Kadee HO scale whisker couplers Price: $3.95 (2 pair)ManufacturerKadee Quality Products Co.673 Avenue CWhite City, OR 97503-1078www.kadee.comDescription: all-metal scale-size HO knuckle couplersComments: Three new scale-size couplers featuring an easy-to-install one-piece design are now available in HO. Kadee whisker couplers come in 1/4″ short shank (no. 153), 9/32″ medium shank (no. 156), and 25/64″ long shank […]
Click the play button to see a video clip of the Alco FA-1 diesel locomotive in action. […]
Click the play button to see a video clip of the Alco FA-1 diesel locomotive in action. […]
Q: I have a Lionel No. 364 conveyor belt log loader which was received as a gift in the 1940s or early 1950s. The red conveyor belt has disintegrated over time and I would like to know how to service the accessory to get it back into operation. Also, I would appreciate knowing the approximate […]
I DON’T HAVE a bond with postwar American Flyer. My grandfather had Flyer trains, my uncle had Marx trains, and I had Lionel trains. So I have a pretty broad view of postwar trains, and my S gauge interests aren’t driven by nostalgia, but rather by what I think will look cool on my layout. […]
I’VE HAD A SOFT spot for Cab-Forward steam locomotion since buying a book called Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives about 40 years ago. To me, even the early versions of the locomotive, with a square, boxy cab mounted in front of the boiler looked amazingly futuristic. Though the Southern Pacific adopted the Cab-Forward design to ensure […]
WHEN ASKED WHY TRAIN sets promoting NFL teams, John Deere tractors, or even Sponge Bob cartoon characters were important, MTH Electric Trains honcho Mike Wolf noted in an interview with CLASSIC TOY TRAINS that the paint schemes representing licensed products got train sets into homes that might not otherwise have one. Lionel’s skipper Jerry Calabrese […]
