Kato’s N scale GE P42 “Genesis” passenger diesel Kato’s N scale P42 is an exquisite replica of Amtrak’s long-distance workhorse. Railfans might quibble over the prototype’s esthetic virtues (or lack thereof) but this new locomotive is truly a delight to the eyes. It’s also a powerful and smooth-running model. As the F40PHs began showing their […]
Trainworx N scale 100-ton quad hopper Trainworx is offering well-detailed, 100-ton quadruple hoppers in N scale that are just the ticket for modeling Western unit coal trains of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Bethlehem Steel introduced its first 100-ton quad hopper in 1963. Although based on the Norfolk & Western’s H-11 triple hopper design, Bethlehem’s […]
Kato N scale Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) After admiring the crisp detail on Kato’s new N scale Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs), my next immediate thought was, “So where in heck’s the motor?” That’s because I could look right through the side windows of these well-engineered, DCC-ready models. Taking a design cue from the prototype, […]
Bachmann N scale 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive Bachmann’s eagerly awaited N scale 2-8-0 has pulled up on the ready track and is just what we’d hoped it would be: a good-running engine with a wealth of detail rivaling high-ticket brass imports. Made in China, the locomotive is marketed in Bachmann’s Spectrum line of higher-end model […]
E-R N scale Baldwin RF-16 sharknosed diesel locomotives This set of well-detailed Baldwin “sharknose” RF-16 diesel cab units marks E-R Models’ entry into the N scale locomotive market. They’re also the first mass-produced N scale plastic models of this distinctive locomotive. The RF-16 was Baldwin Locomotive Works’ final attempt to capture a portion of the […]
Atlas N scale GE B30-7 road diesel locomotive General Electric introduced the B30-7 to succeed its U30B and built 199 units between December 1977 and May 1981. Both were four-axle, 3,000-hp units and were GE’s answer to Electro-Motive Division’s 3,000-hp GP40 and GP40-2. Owners of B30-7s included Burlington Northern, which acquired eight via the 1980 […]
Micro-Trains N scale general service tank car Micro-Trains has released a well-detailed ready-to-run model of an American Car & Foundry 56-foot, 30,000-gallon general-service tank car that nicely captures the proportions of its prototype. The model represents one of a lot of 1,370 tank cars that ACF built in mid-1974 at its Milton, Pa., shops and […]
Des Plaines Hobbies N scale C&NW 400 coach Adding to its extensive line of N scale passenger car kits, Des Plaines Hobbies has released accurately scaled Chicago & North Western streamlined 400 passenger cars. Two styles of coaches, a baggage-tap-lounge, diner, and a baggage car are offered in these kits. I built the coach for […]
Walthers Cornerstone Series N scale lumberyard Walthers calls this Cornerstone Series lumberyard kit easy-to-build, and it certainly is. The pieces on the six structures fit together well, and construction is straightforward. It’s a good way for beginners to quickly assemble an N scale scene. The kit also has kitbashing possibilities, as there are pieces left […]
