This HO scale SD40-2 from ScaleTrains.com is part of the firm’s Rivet Counter series. Our Norfolk Southern version features an admiral cab and bristles with other roadname-specific detail. The HO scale diesel locomotive also came factory equipped with an ESU LokSound decoder. Follow along as senior editor Dana Kawala uses the SD40-2 to work a […]
Section: Product Reviews
Accucraft live-steam 4-4-2
Marc Horovitz 1:32 scale, gauge 1, live-steam 4-4-2 Accucraft 33268 Central Ave Union City CA 94587 Price: $3,700 Website: www.accucraft.com 1:32 scale, gauge-1 model of a Pennsylvania E-6 Atlantic; locomotive-type boiler with five flues; superheater; 60 psi blowoff pressure; alcohol fired; hand pump in tender; axle pump on rear driven axle; bypass system; water glass; […]
Brandbright hopper-wagon kit
Marc Horovitz 1:19 scale, gauge 0 or 1, hopper-wagon kit Brandbright Ltd. Unit 3, Holland Business Park Holland Way Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7TA United Kingdom Price £27.50 ea; £97.50/four (less wheels and couplers) Website: www.brandbright.co.uk Laser-cut wooden kit (#GS19) for a British narrow gauge, four-wheel hopper car (wagon); white-metal and other hardware supplied; instruction […]
Proxxon hot-wire cutter
Marc Horovitz Hot-wire cutter Proxxon 2555 Tate Blvd. SE Hickory NC 28601 Price: $109.80 Website: www.proxxon.com Hot-wire foam cutter (Thermocut 115/E); 115V; adjustable wire tension; adjustable wire angle; built-in protractor; built-in angle gauge with fence; adjustable wire temperature; on/off switch; user’s manual. Dimensions: Base depth, 15 3/4″; overall depth, 20 1/2″; base width, 11 3/4″; […]
USA Trains passenger cars
Marc Horovitz 1:29 scale, gauge-1 passenger cars USA Trains PO Box 100 Malden MA 02148 Prices: All cars are $479.95 ea. except the Vista Dome and observation, which are $499.95 ea. Website: www.usatrains.com Mostly metal passenger cars; extruded aluminum body; five different body styles; sprung, diecast-metal trucks with metal wheels; LED interior lighting; opening doors […]
Video: BlueRail Trains consisting and speed matching
BlueRail Trains offers control boards that use bluetooth technology to wirelessly control model trains via a tablet or smartphone. The BlueRail Trains app has now been updated to include consisting and speed matching functionality. Check out this quick demo with Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala. Be sure to also check out the other BlueRail […]
Video: InterMountain N scale SD40-2
In addition to being available in a wide variety of road names, the InterMountain N scale SD40-2 features an ESU LokSound Select Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. See and hear the N scale locomotive in action on the Model Railroader staff’s Salt Lake Route model train layout. […]
Accucraft 2-6-2T live steam locomotive
Marc Horovitz 1:19 scale, dual gauge, live steam 2-6-2T Accucraft Trains 33268 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $1,995 Website: www.accucraft.com 1:19 (16mm) scale live-steam locomotive; gas fired; single-flue boiler; 60 psi blow-off pressure; twin safety valves; pseudo-Walschaerts valve gear; D-valve cylinders; reversing from the cab; water glass, pressure gauge; displacement lubricator with drain; […]
Train Control Systems WowSound decoder
Kevin Strong TCS WowSound 5-amp DCC decoder Train Control Systems 845 Blooming Glen Road Blooming Glen PA 18911 Website: www.tcsdcc.com Price: $199.95 Five-amp capacity DCC motor/sound decoder; available for steam and diesel. Size: 3″ x 17/16″ x 9/16″ Pros: Good motor control; high-quality sound reproduction; many sound options programmed onto the decoder; prototypical braking; “Audio […]
Visaton speakers
Kevin Strong 8-ohm Visaton speakers Available from: Train-Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $14.95 – $24.95 Website: www.trainli.com Moderately priced speakers for use with locomotive sound systems; size: 2″ to 3.3″ diameter Pros: Great sound reproduction even without enclosure Cons: None Anyone who has worked with sound systems knows that speakers need a […]
Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale class Z-8 Challenger
Check out a superdetailed Northern Pacific class Z-8 Challenger as it makes a run on the Model Railroader staff’s HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout. This Athearn Genesis steam locomotive model features a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. […]
Video: Bachmann Sound Value HO scale PCC car
The upgraded Bachmann Trains HO scale PCC car comes to life with a SoundTraxx Sound Value Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. In addition to realistic sounds, the model features interior and exterior illumination as well as a simulated sparking trolley pole. […]