New model trains for the week of July 23, 2015

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP9M diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Alaska RR, Boston & Maine, Chessie System (with Baltimore & Ohio reporting marks), Norfolk Southern (post-1982 company), and Union Pacific (“We can handle it” slogan on cab). One road number per scheme. All-wheel drive and electrical pickup, five-pole can motor with dual flyhweels, and […]

Read More…

Quick Look: MTH HO scale 70-ton center-discharge ore car

Price: Single car, $34.95; six-pack, $199.95 Manufacturer MTH Electric Trains 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. Columbia, MD 21046 www.mthhotrains.com Era: Mid- to late 1990s, as decorated for the LIRR Road names: Long Island Rail Road; Bessemer & Lake Erie; Burlington Northern (with side extensions); Canadian Pacific; Great Northern; Milwaukee Road; Soo Line; and Union Pacific. Three […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of June 11, 2015

Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD60M diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD60M diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: BNSF Ry. (experimental merger scheme in one road number, Heritage I in one number, and Heritage II in two numbers), CSX (Conrail patchout), Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific. Four numbers each unless noted. Five-pole skew-wound motor […]

Read More…

MTH HO scale GE ES44AC diesel locomotive

For the last decade General Electric Evolution Series (GEVO) diesel locomotives have been a dominant force on Class 1 main lines, and increasingly in HO scale product lines. This latest HO GE ES44AC from MTH comes with a variety of user-controlled effects. Equipped with the firm’s Digital Command System, the model operates reliably on direct-current, […]

Read More…

Amtrak engine catches fire in Milwaukee, media react NEWSWIRE

Camera men with the local ABC and NBC affiliates capture some B-roll footage of the scene. Brian Schmidt MILWAUKEE, Wis. — With helicopter cameras swirling above and reporters swarming on the street, Milwaukee-area media are reacting en masse to an Amtrak locomotive fire in a prominent downtown area. Local media say city fire crews reported to […]

Read More…

Quick Look: Rapido Trains HO scale 52′-6″ mill gondola

Rapido Trains HO scale 52′-6″ mill gondola Price: $44.95; six-pack, $269.70 Manufacturer Rapido Trains, in association with MLW 500 Alden Rd., Unit 16 Markham, ON L3R 5H5 www.rapidotrains.com Era: 1965 to 1999 (as decorated) Road names: Canadian Pacific; CP Rail; Canadian National (two schemes); and Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Comments: A new run of Canadian-specific […]

Read More…

Rapido HO scale GMD-1 diesel locomotive

Rapido HO scale GMD-1 diesel locomotive Some might think of it as an ugly-duckling; others might find its looks endearing. But wherever you stand on its appearance, the GMD-1 is an unusual locomotive. Modelers of Canadian prototypes have Rapido to thank for bringing these prairie “ponies,” as some of their crews called them, to HO […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of February 5, 2015

Athearn HO scale EMD GP9R diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP7 and GP9R diesel locomotives with head-end power. Chicago & North Western (GP7 with high short hood, GP9R with chopped short hood). Two road numbers per body style. Road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and detailed cab interior. Direct-current model, $189.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx […]

Read More…

Atlas HO scale Alco S-2 diesel switcher

Atlas HO scale Alco S-2 diesel switcher With a metallic fluttering sound of pistons and turbocharger, Atlas’ Alco S-2 chattered to life on the test track. All that was  missing was a belch of smoke as the locomotive started to creep forward tie by tie. The dual-mode ESU LokSound Select sound decoder adds a pleasing […]

Read More…

New model trains for the week of January 15, 2015

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive. Conrail; Delaware & Hudson; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one number or orange scheme); Missouri-Kansas-Texas; and Soo Line (Milwaukee Road “bandit” scheme). Four road numbers per scheme unless noted. Road-number-specific details, wire grab irons, and Celcon handrails. Direct-current model, $169.98; with dual-mode SoundTraxx […]

Read More…