New products for December 15, 2011

HO scale locomotives  General Electric Dash 8-40C and 8-40CW diesel locomotives. New road numbers and paint schemes. Dash 8-40C: Canadian National (15th anniversary or modern paint schemes), Ferrocarriles Nationales de Mexico (three road numbers). Dash 8-40CW: BNSF (three new numbers); Conrail (“Quality” lettering), CSX (patched Conrail), Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific (three new numbers). Two […]

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Trainfest 2011 show report

Athearn Trains HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD70ACe. New paint schemes: Montana Rail Link, CSX, Ferromex, and Union Pacific (Missouri-Kansas-Texas heritage scheme). Five-pole skew-wound motor with two flywheels, factory-installed detailed parts, and detailed cab interior. Direct-current models, $189.98. With SoundTraxx Digital Command Control and sound, $289.98. Genesis series. Athearn Trains, […]

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Calculated drawbar horsepower curves for 4-8-4s

This graph shows the calculated drawbar horsepower curves for five classes in the first wave of 4-8-4s: Lackawanna Q-1, Canadian National U-2-a, Northern Pacific A, Santa Fe 3751, and Canadian Pacific K-1. Neil Carlson In the days of steam it was a normal practice to estimate the horsepower potential of a locomotive. Baldwin Locomotive Works […]

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The snowplow photographers’ blog

Wisconsin & Southern Jordan spreader WSOX 9 shatters a drift near Minnesota Junction, Wis., on Feb. 3, 2011. William R. Beecher Jr. William R. Beecher Jr. Fond du Lac, Wis. The snow stopped. The sun actually rose under glorious high pressure after two solid days of blizzard that left Central Wisconsin under almost 2 feet […]

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Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive

Bachmann N scale 2-10-2 steam locomotive This N scale locomotive is a replica of a steam engine originally designed as a humble helper, but which distinguished itself as an indispensable worker in World War I. The Bachmann Spectrum series N scale United States Railroad Administration Light 2-10-2 comes equipped with a ­Digital Command Control ­(DCC) […]

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New products for September 29, 2011

Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. New paint scheme: Burlington Northern. Two differently numbered A-B sets available. Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels, prototype-specific details, and McHenry scale magnetic knuckle couplers. Direct-current models: A unit, $169.98; A-B set $309.98; with Digital […]

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Locomotive throttle notches

Q Why do modern locomotive throttles still use notches?— Ben Redl, Williams Lake, B.C. A The primary reason is to help the locomotive’s engineer direct a specific response from the locomotive. Engine RPM speed must be increased gradually during normal operation. As the engineer demands more power from the locomotive by moving a notch at […]

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New products for August 25, 2011

HO scale locomotives  Baldwin AS-16, AS-616, and DRS 6-6-1500 diesel locomotives. Lehigh Valley (AS-16, two road numbers), National Ry. of Mexico (AS-616), Norfolk Southern (pre-1982 company, AS-616), Pacific Electric (DRS 6-6-1500 with trolley pole), Peabody Coal Co. (AS-16), Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (AS-16), Union Pacific (AS-616). Four road numbers each except as noted above. Can motor […]

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Walthers HO scale locomotive crane

Wm. K. Walthers Inc. HO scale locomotive crane A revised version of the Walthers HO scale American locomotive crane is now available ready-to-run. It comes assembled with an upgraded DC mechanism.   The prototype for this diesel-electric crane dates to the mid-1950s. These 25- to 30-ton capacity locomotive cranes are self-propelled and capable of moving several […]

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Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale EMD GP40-2(W)

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale EMD GP40-2(W) Before the wide-nosed “safety cab” became practically a standard feature on North American locomotives, it was known as the “Canadian cab” due to its development north of the border. One of the earliest Electro-Motive Division locomotives to use that cab, the four-axle GP40-2(W), is now offered in […]

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